Protein-rich foods, whole grains, nuts, and legumes, support the benefits of Ozempic and may help you reach your health goals.
Still, Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications will be most effective for weight loss and blood sugar control when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Generally, eating healthy foods and avoiding foods high in sugar, calories, and unhealthy fats while taking Ozempic helps.
An Ozempic diet is one that also helps prevent high blood sugar. If you're taking Ozempic, you should aim to include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and protein-rich foods in your diet. Avoid refined grains, large amounts of added sugar, excessive alcohol intake, and fried foods while taking Ozempic.
There's no “Ozempic diet” or foods you absolutely can't eat while taking Ozempic. But since Ozempic can cause stomach upset and other gut side effects, you may want to avoid foods that can worsen or trigger these symptoms. You also want to avoid foods that can raise your blood sugar too quickly.
High fat foods or sugary foods
Ozempic can cause nausea and vomiting if taken after eating foods high in fat or sugar. It is recommended that you take Ozempic before meals, rather than after, to minimise any potential side effects from eating high-fat or high-sugar foods.
Every day staples like whole milk, heavy cream, full-fat cheese, butter, ice cream and most red meats may cause additional gastrointestinal distress for someone on Ozempic.
Lean protein sources from eggs, low-fat cheese, Greek yogurt, chicken, turkey, fish, nuts, tofu, and beans are all excellent ways to bulk up on protein while eating healthy if you take Ozempic. Lean proteins usually require little to no insulin (if you're on insulin), and are a great building block of a healthy meal.
Whole grains
This makes them a great food to eat while taking Ozempic. Whole grain foods include: Whole wheat bread.
However, Ozempic and alcohol lower your blood sugar. So, drinking alcohol during your Ozempic treatment may cause severe hypoglycemia. So, with alcohol either raising or lowering our blood sugar levels, Ozempic will not work as well as usual if alcohol is consumed at a higher-than-moderate level.
Once you begin using Ozempic, some people can find it takes several weeks to see any weight loss, yet others may see some weight loss within a week or 2. While it can be difficult, try to remain patient — change looks different for everyone.
Ozempic can be taken with or without food. It is injected once per week subcutaneously (under the skin) of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm, on the same day each week.
Ozempic is also used off-label for weight loss. In particular, it can help reduce the amount of belly fat. This is because Ozempic works by making you feel fuller for longer, which can help you resist overeating by controlling cravings and hunger.
A study found that at the highest dose of Wegovy (2.4 mg), patients lost on average 15% of their total body weight after 1 year. In patients with diabetes, one study showed that taking Ozempic at the highest dose of 2 mg led to on average ~15 lbs (6.9 kg) weight loss after 40 weeks.
It's normal to eventually hit a point where your weight loss slows down, especially if you're not working on keeping or building up your muscle mass. Losing muscle along with fat slows your metabolism and can slow down your weight loss. Once your body adjusts, your weight loss journey should pick up again.
Can I enjoy a drink while on Ozempic medication? The short answer is yes: You can drink alcohol while taking Ozempic.
Patients trying to lose weight with either drug should work with a dietitian for a guided meal plan, but in general, they should aim to eat 1,200 to 1,800 calories a day depending on their initial weight, Rubin says.
The most common side effect with Ozempic is nausea and occurs in about 15% to 20% of people. Others include vomiting (5% to 9%), diarrhea (8%), stomach-area pain (6% to 7%), and constipation (3% to 7%).
On average, a user can lose about 3 to 5% of their body weight after using Ozempic for a month regularly. This equates to about 4 to 6 pounds on average. Using a higher potency of the drug may result in more weight loss, but it isn't recommended that you start taking it right away.
One theory, according to a CBS report, is that the medication decreases appetite, which may lead people to eat less and therefore get fewer calories for their body to use as fuel. Basically, in some severe cases, it can cause a type of malnutrition, a symptom of which is fatigue.
The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, which works by inducing satiety. This feeling of being satisfied or “full”, suppresses appetite. This is why it works for weight loss. Semaglutide also helps the pancreas produce insulin, which is how it helps manage type 2 diabetes.
In summary, Ozempic can make you feel tired, but it's a rare side effect. In the long-term, you may notice the opposite: energy increases and you're less tired, as you lose weight and improve cardiovascular health while taking Ozempic combined with physical activity and diet changes.
In conclusion, drinking coffee while taking Ozempic is generally safe for individuals with type 2 diabetes. However, it's crucial to monitor your blood sugar levels, make mindful coffee choices, and consult with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
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. Sugar quickly spikes blood sugar levels and can make it hard to manage these conditions, potentially countering the benefits of Ozempic.