Skip to main content

Foods to avoid while taking Ozempic

6 min read

Written by: 

Kristin DeJohn

 and 

Amelia Willson

Reviewed by: 

Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN

 and 

Raagini Yedidi, MD

Published: Aug 05, 2022

Updated:  Apr 08, 2025

Verified Badge

Reviewed By

Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN

Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN, is a Dietitian Advisor for Ro and weight management expert.

View bio

Check my options

Here's what we'll cover

Here's what we'll cover

Ozempic (semaglutide) belongs to a group of medications called GLP-1s. Commonly prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes or prescribed off-label to treat weight loss, these drugs work by slowing down digestion, improving blood sugar control, and regulating your appetite. Given their effects on your digestive system, gastrointestinal side effects can be common on Ozempic.

If you’ve been experiencing nausea or vomiting on Ozempic, you may be wondering how you can get some relief. And whether your diet is contributing to your side effects. Well, while there aren’t any foods that interact dangerously with Ozempic, altering what you eat may help you avoid or lessen some unpleasant side effects and possibly even help improve the success of the drug. 

Here’s a look at which foods you may want to avoid while taking Ozempic and why.

Ozempic Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.

GLP-1 Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.

What types of food should you avoid while taking Ozempic?

No foods are “off-limits” when you’re taking Ozempic, meaning no foods interact with the medication in a dangerous way. However, some foods and drinks can cause symptoms similar to the medication’s side effects, and others might make weight loss or diabetes control more challenging. Here are six types of food to avoid or limit to get the most out of Ozempic: 

1. Fried, greasy foods

Many of the most common side effects of Ozempic are stomach-related—things like nausea, bloating, and gas. Greasy fried foods can cause these symptoms on their own, so combining them with Ozempic may increase the odds that you experience bloating or nausea. Greasy foods are also usually calorie-dense, which can increase weight and worsen your heart health.

Examples of fried, greasy foods to avoid on Ozempic include fast food, burgers, fries, chips, and anything fried in oil. Fried food consumption is also linked to an increased risk of several health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart failure, obesity, and high blood pressure. 

2. Sugary foods and drinks

Sugary foods and beverages—like soda, candy, and many pre-packaged desserts—can pose extra problems for those working to manage diabetes or obesity. Foods with added sugar quickly spike blood sugar levels and can make it hard to manage these conditions, potentially countering the benefits of Ozempic. 

Regularly drinking sugary drinks is also associated with weight gain, so drinking these beverages may slow your weight loss efforts on Ozempic as well. (Sugary beverages are also linked to other serious health conditions, including heart disease, kidney disease, and gout when consumed frequently.) The carbonation in soft drinks can also worsen indigestion or abdominal pain, two potential side effects of Ozempic. 

Sugary drinks include not just regular soda, but any drink sweetened with added sugar, which may include:

  • Sports drinks

  • Fruit drinks

  • Energy drinks

  • Sweetened water

  • Coffee and tea beverages

Read nutrition labels and watch out for hidden sugars in items that may not taste sweet. For example, many people don’t realize that many commercial breads on grocery store shelves are actually loaded with sugar. Even if foods don’t report added sugar on the label, look out for sugar alcohols such as xylitol and sorbitol. They can also worsen Ozempic side effects like diarrhea.

3. High sodium foods

Packaged snacks like potato chips and premade meals like soup or frozen dinners often contain incredibly high amounts of salt. According to the CDC, 90% of Americans 2 years and older consume too much sodium.Too much salt in your diet can lead to high blood pressure and other forms of heart disease. 

In adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease, Ozempic can lower the risk of heart attacks, and strokes, but it’s important to remember this is when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle. A high-sodium diet can potentially thwart this effect. And, super salty foods can worsen or mimic some of the side effects of Ozempic, including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. 

If you’re working to manage type 2 diabetes, your heart health  and/or achieve weight loss goals, opt for low-sodium options at the grocery store or prepare your own food when possible.

4. Refined carbohydrates

While white pasta, bagels, or breakfast cereals may seem like quick, easy food options, they also usually fall into the category of high glycemic foods. This means the body absorbs them quickly and converts them into glucose, which can cause blood sugar levels to spike. 

Refined carbohydrates are best consumed in moderation when eating to manage diabetes or reach a healthy body weight. Even adding just 100 grams of added sugar or starch to your daily diet can lead to long-term weight gain, according to one study. 

When eating carbs, it’s helpful to check the glycemic index, which scores carbohydrates, including sugars, on a scale of 0 to 100. It’s best to choose low glycemic index foods, such as whole grains, if you’re trying to avoid spikes in blood sugar. While taking Ozempic, consider  limiting high-glycemic index foods such as:

  • White bread and bagels

  • Sugary, processed cereals

  • Instant oatmeal (particularly processed options with added sugar)

  • Many pre-packaged sugary snack foods

  • White rice (alone, without additional vegetables or protein) 

5. Starchy vegetables

You may be surprised to hear that all vegetables are not created equal when it comes to blood sugar management. For instance, starchy vegetables like potatoes or corn are higher in carbohydrates and calories than non-starchy vegetables. 

All can contain important nutrients and may still be a key part of your diet, so it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider about which vegetables you wish to consume in moderation. For example, you can combine a high-starch food with non-starch vegetables such as leafy greens to balance the effects on your blood sugar levels. That being said, any vegetable, even the starchy ones, still makes a better snack than any of the foods mentioned earlier—fried foods, refined carbohydrates, and sugary foods.  

6. Alcohol

Drinking alcohol is not forbidden when taking Ozempic. However, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about how much alcohol you can consume and how to best monitor it. There aren’t any clinical studies evaluating the use of Ozempic with alcohol. However, both Ozempic and alcohol can lower blood sugar, so combining them could potentially lead to low blood sugar, especially if you have type 2 diabetes and are also taking insulin.

Plus, many alcoholic beverages and cocktails may contain added sugar, which you should try to avoid on Ozempic. Alcoholic drinks can also worsen or mimic some side effects of Ozempic, such as diarrhea, heartburn, and nausea.

While alcohol is not explicitly forbidden, remember to consume it in moderation. It’s recommended that women drink no more than one drink daily, and men drink no more than two drinks daily, preferably with a meal.

Foods to eat on Ozempic

When taking Ozempic, you want to focus on foods that keep your blood sugar steady. These include fiber-rich carbohydrates and lean proteins, such as:

  • Whole grains like bulgur, barley, and quinoa

  • High-fiber bran cereal or steel-cut oatmeal without added sugar

  • Non-starchy vegetables like greens

  • Fruits like apples, oranges, and grapefruits

  • Nuts and seeds

  • Legumes and beans

  • Unsweetened milk and yogurt

Lean proteins, such as fish, chicken, tofu, and beans, are also good to incorporate in your diet when managing type 2 diabetes. Plus, these foods can also support weight loss, if you’re taking Ozempic to lose weight. 

How to manage side effects from Ozempic

The most common side effects of Ozempic are digestive in nature, and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation. If you experience any of these effects, adjusting your diet to eat less of the foods we listed above can help. For example, fried, fatty foods can increase your risk of nausea, as can super salty foods. Sugary foods, drinks, and alcohol can worsen diarrhea while also causing blood sugar spikes. So, avoiding these foods on Ozempic can help you better manage side effects. 

If you’re experiencing nausea on Ozempic, eating bland, low-fat, and watery foods can help you feel better as your body gets used to the medication. Options include crackers, apples, soup, gelatin, and yogurt.

Adjusting your eating habits can also help relieve side effects on Ozempic such as nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. Try these changes:

  • Eat more slowly

  • Eat without distractions, so you can focus on the flavor and how full you feel

  • Stop eating once you feel full

  • Eat smaller meals more often as opposed to larger meals less often

  • Don’t lie down after you eat

  • Drink plenty of water

Rx weight loss with Ro

Get access to prescription weight loss medication online

Bottom line: is an “Ozempic diet” right for you?

The FDA approved Ozempic to be used along with a healthy diet and regular exercise to manage diabetes, so it’s a valid question to ask if you should follow an Ozempic diet. 

  • If you take Ozempic to treat diabetes, know that according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), there is no single diabetes diet. 

  • Rather, some eating patterns might recommend decreasing carbohydrates (or carbs), simple sugars, and unhealthy fats in your diet. 

  • Generally, this means skipping foods high in saturated fats and fast-digesting processed carbohydrates, such as sugars and white, starchy foods. 

So while there is no “Ozempic diet,” a diabetes-friendly diet usually replaces high glycemic foods containing empty calories with whole foods rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Eating high-fiber foods often leads to eating less and staying fuller longer. Lowering your calorie intake and portion sizes can also help control blood sugar and weight.

If you’re struggling with weight loss or are trying to manage your blood sugar levels, talk to your doctor about Ozempic. They will help you determine if the drug is right for you and create a healthy meal plan to support your goals. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

DISCLAIMER

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Weight Loss
Ozempic

More articles like this