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6 foods to avoid while taking Ozempic

5 min read

Written by: 

Kristin DeJohn

 and 

Amelia Willson

Reviewed by: 

Raagini Yedidi, MD

Published: Aug 05, 2022

Updated:  Jul 07, 2026

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Reviewed By

Raagini Yedidi, MD

Raagini Yedidi, MD, is an internal medicine resident and medical reviewer for Ro.

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Key takeaways

  • To get the most out of Ozempic and minimize the risk of side effects, you should avoid fried, greasy, and spicy foods, sugary foods and drinks, high-sodium foods, refined carbs, and alcohol.

  • Instead, focus on eating whole, healthy foods rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. 

  • If you’re having gastrointestinal side effects from Ozempic, you can try eating more low-fat, bland foods, eating slowly, and eating more frequent, small meals throughout the day rather than three big ones.

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Key takeaways

  • To get the most out of Ozempic and minimize the risk of side effects, you should avoid fried, greasy, and spicy foods, sugary foods and drinks, high-sodium foods, refined carbs, and alcohol.

  • Instead, focus on eating whole, healthy foods rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. 

  • If you’re having gastrointestinal side effects from Ozempic, you can try eating more low-fat, bland foods, eating slowly, and eating more frequent, small meals throughout the day rather than three big ones.

When you’re taking a GLP-1, such as Ozempic (semaglutide), it’s important to know what you shouldn’t eat while taking it. Optimizing your diet to minimize fried, greasy, and spicy foods, sugary foods and drinks, high-sodium foods, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol will help you get the most out of your medication and minimize side effects. 

What types of food should you avoid while taking Ozempic?

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 symptoms, such as nausea, bloating, and diarrhea. 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, fries, chips, and anything fried in oil. Fried food consumption is also linked to an increased risk of several health conditions, including 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 and even potentially kidney disease, when consumed frequently.) 

The carbonation in soft drinks can also worsen indigestion or bloating, 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

  • Some 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 like xylitol and sorbitol. They can also cause diarrhea, which doesn’t help if you are already experiencing Ozempic side effects.

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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 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. A high-sodium diet works in the opposite direction of this effect. 

Plus, super salty foods can worsen or mimic some of the side effects of Ozempic, including bloating and abdominal discomfort. 

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. Adding 100 grams of added sugar 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. 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 not all vegetables are 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. Some guidelines recommend 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, focus on foods that help 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 and oranges

  • 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 off-label to help manage weight.

Find your recommended protein intake

Calculate your recommended daily protein needs for weight loss, maintaining weight, or building muscle, based on your current weight and activity level.

Recommended protein intake

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Grams/Day

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Grams/Meal

This calculator provides general estimates and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or nutrition plan.

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 of 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

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Bottom line

When taking Ozempic, it’s important to eat a healthy diet and try to avoid certain food groups to optimize your health and minimize side effects. Here’s what you should remember: 

  • Avoid fried, greasy foods, sugary foods and drinks, high sodium foods, refined carbs, starchy vegetables, and alcohol when taking Ozempic. 

  • Fill your plate with whole foods rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats.  These include lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. 

  • If you’re having side effects like nausea or an upset stomach, you can try eating bland, low-fat, and watery foods. Eating more slowly and eating smaller meals more frequently (instead of three large meals a day) can help, too. 

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.

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.

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

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