{"id":808,"date":"2024-09-11T23:00:43","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T23:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reflexmd.com\/blog\/?p=808"},"modified":"2025-04-21T22:35:52","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T02:35:52","slug":"foods-to-avoid-glp-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reflexmd.com\/blog\/healthy-eating\/foods-to-avoid-glp-1\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Foods to Avoid When Taking a GLP-1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Just as certain foods help maximize the health benefits of GLP-1, there are foods that work against <\/em>the effects of this medication. GLP-1 helps individuals with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar, research<\/a> shows, so foods that make it more difficult to maintain healthy blood sugar levels are a problem.\u00a0These are precisely the foods to avoid when taking GLP-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Interested in trying GLP-1? Take our short quiz<\/a> to see if you qualify.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certain types of foods can also contribute to uncomfortable side effects like nausea, vomiting, and constipation that may arise when taking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, according to research<\/a> in JAMA Network<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why it\u2019s best to focus on a nutritious, well-balanced diet that supports the goals of your treatment\u2014as well as your long-term health. To help you do that, we\u2019ve got a list of the top foods to limit or avoid while taking GLP-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid: High-sugar foods<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Eating foods with an excessive amount of added sugars makes GLP-1’s job of lowering your blood sugar more challenging. You no doubt know to avoid candy and sugary desserts, but other foods to avoid when taking GLP-1\u2014because they tend to be high in added sugars\u2014include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Baked packaged goods like cookies, muffins, and donuts <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Condiments, sauces, and salad dressings   <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Certain breakfast cereals and bars <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    All of these options contain empty calories and can cause significant blood sugar spikes, says the American Medical Association<\/a>. But it\u2019s not just high-sugar foods that work against the effects of GLP-1. According to the American Heart Association (AHA)<\/a>, beverages are the leading cause of added sugars in most people\u2019s diets.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Your body will thank you for avoiding sports and energy drinks, sodas, fruit juices, fancy coffee concoctions, and sweetened tea (and, of course, anyone taking GLP-1 should be mindful of their alcohol intake). Stick to water instead, which helps keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range, research<\/a> shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The AHA also says that Americans consume on average 17 teaspoons of added sugars every day. That’s more than two to three times the recommended amount for men and women, respectively. Get in the habit of reviewing ingredients labels, and learn how to decode the many names for added sugars. These include but not limited to ones that include \u201csyrup\u201d and \u201c-ose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n