Foods to Avoid while taking Ozempic (Semaglutide)

Ozempic is a Semaglutide medicine that is used to treat type 2 diabetes as it helps in decreasing blood sugar levels and managing weight in the long term. If you are also a diabetes patient and Ozempic as medication then here are a few things you should know about Ozempic.

What is Ozempic and what is it Used for?

Ozempic is prescribed medicine for type 2 diabetes. It contains an active ingredient called Semaglutide which is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It is also used as an antiobesity drug for the management of weight for a long time.

It is an injectable drug that is given subcutaneously. It is taken once a week. Starting dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg and the maximum is 2 mg. Always take your doctor’s advice before taking any medication. This medicine works by acting on the pancreas.

It stimulates the pancreas to release the right amount of insulin so that it will prevent more release of glucose from the liver and reduce blood sugar levels. Semaglutide mimics the hormone GLP -1 and acts on the pancreas. It is given once a week in injection form.

Along with reducing blood sugar levels it also helps in weight loss and will decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, and stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes etic who are at risk of these diseases.

It should be noted that Ozempic should not be given for type 1 diabetes as the mechanisms of both types of diabetes are different. In type 1 diabetes insulin is deficient in the body so it needs to be injected from outside whereas in type 2 receipt becomes insensitive while the amount of insulin is the same in the body. This medicine should not be taken without a prescription. Take proper advice from your doctor and then only start any medicine.

Foods to avoid while taking Ozempic

Whenever we take any medicine there will be some food items that should be avoided or consumed in moderation. During taking Ozempic also some food items should be avoided so that medicine can work properly and give High-fast results :

High-fat food: food containing high fat will decrease the absorption of Ozempic and may decrease effectiveness. So it is better to avoid high-fat food items like cheesy sauce, too much butter, etc.

Sugary foods: Foods that contain high sugar amounts are already not good for diabetic patients because they will raise blood sugar levels to spike. Our goal is to reduce blood sugar levels so it is better to avoid such food items to get good results because these items will counteract the effectiveness of the drug.

Alcohol: Intake of alcohol reduces blood sugar levels that do not mean diabetic patients can use it as medication, it is very dangerous to them as it will affect other organs and may cause damage. Alcohol intake along with Ozempic increases the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) in the body. So it is better to avoid alcohol while taking medicine.

Grapefruit: Intake of grapefruit or grape juice while taking Ozempic may be dangerous because it may interact with the drug and may cause side effects in the body so it is better to avoid grapefruit and juice while using Ozempic.

Processed food: processed food often contains a high amount of sodium which will increase blood pressure and ultimately risk will increase for more disease. So we should avoid the consumption of these types of food items.

Overall it is very important to have a good and healthy diet. Contact your doctor or dietician for specific guidance. Tell your doctor about your allergy if you have any before starting any medication.

What is the best diet to have while on Semaglutide

As there is no specific diet that should be taken or avoided while taking Ozempics but there are some food items that can help you to stay healthy and will help Ozempic to work properly. These food items help in maintaining blood sugar levels and prevent other diseases also. Here is some example of a food that you can prefer:

Low carbohydrate food items: you should eat low carbohydrate food items like brown rice, and millet which are of a low glycemic index value, and do not shoot up your blood glucose level.

More protein content: proteins are good and essential for the body. You will feel full by adding protein to your diet and it will also help you to maintain your blood sugar level.
Drink plenty of water: we should drink a good amount of water. But that does not mean we should drink forcefully. Drink water whenever you feel thirsty.
Non Starchy vegetables: vegetables like green vegetables, carrots, etc contain no or less starch and are good for your body. Starchy vegetables like potatoes contain a high amount of starch and should be avoided.

Whole grain: whole grain food like barley, millet, and brown rice are good for you. These are low glycemic index value food items. They do not shoot up your blood glucose level.
Limit processed food and prefer low sugar content drinks and food items
Fruits which have high and low sugar content are good for diabetic patients. Examples are avocado, orange, etc.

It is important to take advice from your doctor and health care provider or your dietician. Avoid if you have an allergy to any of the given food items. Tell your doctor about your food habits and also about any medical history if you have. They will provide the best diet plan for you according to your body.

What are the side effects of Ozempic?

Ozempic is an injectable medicine used in type 2 diabetes. Just like other medicines, it may also cause some side effects which may range from mild to severe. Usually, symptoms if occurs are mild only and decrease over time. Some examples of com effects effect of Ozempic are :

Nausea and vomiting: it is the most common side effect. It is normally mild and decreases over time. Even after some time if it does not decrease you should inform your doctor and stop taking it.

Injection site reaction: As Ozempic is an injectable drug it is given subcutaneously so that it can work properly and give a long time effect. But it may cause some reaction at the site of injection. Usually, it is a mild mild rash only and goes after some time but if it does not go even after some time then inform your doctor.
Decreased appetite: Ozempic helps in decreasing weight by decreasing appetite. It is good for obese people as obesity is dangerous for mah disease but reducing weight may be dangerous for healthy weight and low weight patients.
Hypoglycemia: Use of Ozempic may cause hypoglycemia( low blood sugar level ) in the body. Symptoms of hypoglycemia are sweating, profusion, discomfort, etc. Inform your doctor if you are feeling any of these.

Pancreatitis: In severe cases, the use of Ozempic may cause pancreatitis which is inflammation of the Pancreas. Symptoms of pancreatitis are nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

It should be noted that not everyone who is using Ozempic gets these symptoms. It depends from person to person. if you are getting any of these symptoms then you should immediately inform your doctor and stop taking these drugs. They can provide you with alternatives to this medicine.

How to minimize the side effects of Ozempic?

Using Ozempic usually has fewer side effects and it decreases with time. Here are some points you can take care of to reduce its side effects of it:

Take the same day of the week: Ozempic is given once a week. It should be taken on the same day next week. It will help in reducing side effects.
Take Ozempic with food: taking Ozempic with food helps in decreasing gastrointestinal side effects of it.
Keep hydrated: Keep your body hydrated. It will help in reducing the side effects of Ozempic.

Rotating site of injection: you should not take injections at the same site again and again. You should change the site to prevent side effects like rashes.

Always take proper advice from your doctor and should tell them the truth. Don’t hide anything from your doctor and tell about your previous diseases if you had any because history matters a lot.