Those who start using medications such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide) or Ozempic (semaglutide) usually receive basic nutrition counseling. Know which foods to avoid.
Those who start using medicines such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide) or Ozempic (semaglutide) usually receives basic nutritional advice, but many doubts remain on a daily basis. These medications work primarily by delaying stomach emptying and helping to control blood sugar and appetite. Therefore, certain types of foods may intensify effects such as nausea, heartburn, reflux, gas and diarrhea, especially during the first weeks of treatment.
Understanding which foods tend to cause the most discomfort allows you to better organize meals and reduce complications. The idea is not to create a rigid and definitive list, but to indicate models which, in practice, tend to be less well tolerated by those who use Mounjaro or Ozempic. Individual support from a health professional remains essential, but it is possible to identify food groups that deserve special attention.
What are the main foods to avoid with Mounjaro and Ozempic?
The most important keyword in this context is fatty foods. Because Mounjaro and Ozempic delay gastric emptying, high-fat meals tend to stay in the stomach longer, causing nausea, feeling bloated, and feeling unwell. Fried foods, fast food and preparations containing a lot of oil or butter fall into this group with a higher risk of discomfort.
Another point of attention is very sugary foods and drinks, especially for people with diabetes or insulin resistance. Although medications help control blood sugar levels, frequent consumption of sweets, soft drinks, and high-sugar desserts can make it difficult to achieve treatment goals, both in terms of weight and blood sugar levels.
Fatty foods and fried foods: why do they make it difficult to use Mounjaro and Ozempic?
Among those who use GLP-1 agonistslike Mounjaro and Ozempic, digestion tends to slow down. When a meal is high in fat, it takes even longer for the stomach to empty, increasing the risk of nausea, frequent belching, reflux, and a feeling of heaviness after eating. This effect is generally more marked during the dosage adjustment phase.
- Fried foods in general: coxinha, pastry, fries, nuggets, breaded chicken, pork rinds.
- Fast food: very high-calorie burgers, very stuffed pizzas, bacon sandwiches, excessive mayonnaise.
- Very fatty meats: picanha with a lot of fat, sausages, sausages, ribs with a lot of visible fat.
- Very fatty mixtures: braised with a large amount of oil, heavy feijoada, cream and butter based sauces.
A frequently adopted strategy is to reduce portion sizes and choose cooking methods with less fat, such as grilling, roasting or boiling. Gradual adaptation generally promotes tolerance to Mounjaro or Ozempic, allowing the body to adapt to the treatment.
Should we cut out sweets, sugary drinks and refined carbohydrates?
The consumption of simple sugars in large quantities it may interfere with the action of the medicine. Although Mounjaro and Ozempic help control blood sugar levels, they do not reverse the effects of a high-sugar diet. In addition, very sugary foods can cause sudden changes in blood sugar and promote episodes of discomfort in some people.
- Soft drinks and industrialized juices with added sugar.
- Sweets, milk chocolates, candies and condensed milk desserts.
- Stuffed cakes and biscuitsmainly consumed usually.
- White breads, refined pastas and packaged snackswhile they constitute the basis of the daily diet.
In many treatment plans, it is advisable to prioritize whole carbohydrates and reduce the frequency of sugar-containing desserts. This contributes to weight control and better performance of Mounjaro and Ozempic in the management of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
What drinks and eating habits most hinder treatment?
Besides food types, certain drinking habits can increase gastrointestinal side effects. Alcoholic beverages, for example, can irritate the stomach, change blood sugar levels, and in some cases increase nausea and dizziness. The association with Mounjaro or Ozempic generally requires moderation and medical supervision.
- Excessive alcohol: spirits, very sweet cocktails, frequent consumption of beer or draft beer.
- Sparkling soft drinks in large quantities: they promote gas, bloating and abdominal discomfort.
- Energy drinks: may contain sugar and stimulant substances which interfere with blood sugar control.
- Very strong coffee on an empty stomach: in some people heartburn and gastric irritation increase, which may already be more present with the use of medications.
Another habit that tends to cause discomfort is eating too quickly and in large quantities. By acting on satiety, Mounjaro and Ozempic tend to cause the body to react poorly to large meals, thus increasing nausea and the feeling of premature satiety.
Which foods are generally best tolerated when using Mounjaro and Ozempic?
Even though the focus is on foods to avoid, knowing the most accepted options makes adaptation easier. In general, food takes priority lighter, low fat and distributed in small portions throughout the day. Tolerance may vary, but certain groups are often used as the basis of a diet when using Mounjaro or Ozempic.
- Lean Protein: skinless chicken, fish, eggs prepared with little oil, lean cuts of beef.
- Complex carbohydrates: brown rice, oats, potatoes, cassava in controlled quantities.
- Fruits and vegetables: always adjust to individual tolerance and avoid overeating with highly acidic fruits in case of heartburn.
- Good quality fats in small quantities: olive oil, chestnuts, avocado.
The combination of these foods, combined with moderate portions and adequate chewing, tends to help reduce the most common gastrointestinal effects. Individualized nutritional support allows fine adjustments depending on each person’s response to Mounjaro or Ozempic, always preserving safety and comfort throughout the treatment.
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