20 Things to Avoid While on Ozempic

Ozempic can be highly effective for weight loss, but there are definitely some unpleasant side effects to contend with, as the makers of the drug, Novo Nordisk, warn about. Nausea, constipation, and stomach pain are common, but avoiding certain foods and behaviors can make a difference. Here are 20 things to avoid while on Ozempic to make the most of the medication and encourage healthy weight loss.

Too Much Sugar

Shutterstock

Added sugars and sugary sodas can spike blood sugar. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, recommends that people avoid sugary foods while on the drug. “If you are taking medication to lower your sugar levels, it is advisable to avoid excess sugar consumption,” Dr. Dina Peralta-Reich, MD, FAAP, FOMA, tells Parade. “Failure to watch what you eat and keep your sugar levels elevated may prevent you from seeing the intended results of the medication,” she shares.”

Ultra-Processed Foods

Shutterstock

Ultra-processed foods can make the side effects of Ozempic worse. “This medication slows down gastric emptying and the dense food will move much slower through your intestines, which can make you feel sick [and experience] nausea, vomiting, reflux and abdominal pain,” says Dr. Peralta-Reich. “Someone may not see the results they're looking for either.”

High-Fat Foods

Shutterstock

Foods high in saturated and trans fats can make side effects of Ozempic worse. Some people complain of diarrhea and stomach pains. “I’ve seen an almost dumping syndrome-like response in people taking GLP-1s when they eat simple carbohydrates and high-fat foods,” Dr. Shauna Levy, a specialist in obesity medicine and medical director of the Tulane Bariatric and Weight Loss Center in New Orleans, tells TODAY.

RELATED: 20 Incredible Ozempic Success Stories of All Time

Sitting All Day

Shutterstock/Prostock-studio

Staying active is important while on Ozempic. Regular exercise is not only important for health, it can prevent muscle loss. The goal should be fat loss, and getting strong.

Not Hydrating

Shutterstock

Don’t forget to drink your water and stay hydrated. Drinking water can help with side effects of Ozempic, especially nausea. Ozempic.com recommends drinking clear or ice-cold drinks to combat any nausea and discomfort.

Too Much Alcohol

Shutterstock

Avoid alcohol on Ozempic, experts advice. “One, it’s just empty calories. Two, it tends to make people make decisions that they otherwise might not make,” says Dr. Levy. “It could increase hunger, and the whole point of GLP-1s, or at least one of the points, is to decrease hunger. So it sort of negates their purpose.”

Be Mindful of Portions

Shutterstock

Ozempic keeps food in the stomach longer, so bigger portions can cause discomfort. “Understanding that overall portions are smaller on these medications, we want to optimize nutritional intake and consume the ‘best’ calories available,” obesity medicine physician Dr. Christopher McGowan tells TODAY. “The focus should be on lean protein, healthy fruits and vegetables, adequate fiber and adequate fluid intake.”

RELATED: 20 Things You Need to Know About Ozempic and Weight Loss

Be Mindful of Coffee

Shutterstock

“Overall, coffee is perfectly fine to consume, but for some individuals can lead to stomach irritation,” says Dr. McGowan. “Therefore, I recommend drinking coffee in moderation, such as one to two cups a day. Patients should also be mindful of calorie-dense additives, like cream and sugar.”

Don’t Skip Meals

Shutterstock

It’s easy to skip meals when on Ozempic, but make sure you’re getting enough nutrition. Some people have even become malnourished as a result of not eating. ​​ “It’s never healthy to not eat,” Dr. Janice Jin Hwang, the division chief of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine tells the New York Times.

Don’t Consider It a Quick Fix

Shutterstock

Ozempic should be part of a long-term health plan. “It’s important to note that if you start taking either of these drugs for weight loss, your body may get used to it, establishing a new normal,” says UC Davis Health. This can cause your weight to plateau. Research has shown that if you stop taking Ozempic (or Wegovy), it's likely that you will gain back the weight you lost.

Same Unhealthy Lifestyle

Shutterstock

Don’t continue an unhealthy diet and assume it’s ok because of Ozempic. “You can likely lose weight on semaglutide medications without changing your diet and activity behaviors, but these lifestyle changes will make the treatment more effective,” Richard Siegel, MD, tells the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. “Also, we don’t know if weight loss will have the same health benefits if one does not change their behaviors.”

RELATED:What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Taking Ozempic

Protect Your Health

Shutterstock

Some doctors warn that taking Ozempic can make people complacent about their health. “It is important to remember that obesity is heterogenous, chronic and complex,” Vijaya Surampudi, MD, physician nutrition specialist and assistant director of the UCLA Weight Management Program (RFO), tells UCLA Health. “There is no cure for obesity. It requires lifelong treatment that’s not one size fits all.”

Carbonated Beverages

Shutterstock

Ozempic slows down digestion, keeping food in your stomach for longer. This causes a feeling of fullness and some unpleasant side effects for some people like belching. Stick to still water as carbonated beverages can make stomach issues worse.

Long-Term Goals

Shutterstock

If you plan on only taking Ozempic or Wegovy for a short while, it’s likely your weight will come back on. “In one trial of Wegovy, people regained about two-thirds of the weight lost within a year of stopping the drug,” Dr. Siegel explains. “Lifestyle changes can help maintain weight loss, but it’s unusual to maintain all weight loss once you stop any weight loss medication.”

Refined Carbohydrates

Shutterstock

Refined carbohydrates tend to spike blood sugar, which is exactly what Ozempic is meant to treat. You don’t have to cut these foods out entirely, but be aware it makes it harder for Ozempic to do its job. “Foods like white bread, white rice, crackers, or even cereals may seem like better choices than foods with added sugar, but refined carbohydrates still metabolize as glucose in the body,” Christine Fallabel, MPH, tells Diabetes Strong.

RELATED:10 Side Effects of Rapid Weight Loss

Watch Out For High Fiber

Shutterstock

While many green vegetables are low GI, be careful about the fiber. “If you’re not used to eating a lot of vegetables, you may experience side effects such as bloating and gas, until your body has acclimated to eating a more fiber-filled diet,” Fallabel says.

Junk Food

Shutterstock

Junk food—which you should be avoiding either way for weight loss purposes—often contains high levels of sodium. “Ultra-processed foods are high in sodium, saturated fats and added sugars, which contribute to a range of health problems,” Elizabeth Ko, MD, and Eve Glazier, MD, tell UCLA Health. These include an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lowered immune response, certain cancers, dementia and early death.”

Spicy Foods

Shutterstock

Ozempic can cause acid reflux due to slow digestion. Spicy foods can make acid reflux worse, experts warn. However, if acid reflux is not an issue, people can probably enjoy spicy foods if they wish.

Always See a Medical Professional

Shutterstock

Ozempic should only be prescribed by a medical professional. “Typically, I prescribe Ozempic for diabetes and have more often prescribed Wegovy for weight loss,” endocrinologist Alyssa Dominguez, MD, tells Keck Medicine. “I have used Ozempic, sometimes, off-label for weight loss, though getting insurance approval for that can be challenging.”

RELATED:12 Tips to Maintain Weight Loss After Using Ozempic and GLP-1 Medications

Fried Foods

Shutterstock

Fried, greasy foods can make Ozempic stomach issues worse. “Foods high in fat can make digestive side effects worse. Since food hangs around longer in the stomach, it has more time to cause problems,” Sarah Bullard, MS, RD, LD, tells Signos. “Some studies have shown that consuming too much fat can increase symptoms of fullness, nausea, and bloating in individuals with digestive issues and heartburn. Reducing fat intake resolved symptoms.”

💪🔥Body Booster: A whole foods Mediterranean diet is ideal while taking Ozempic. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 20 Incredible Ozempic Success Stories of All Time.

Are you taking—or considering taking—drugs to help with weight loss or type 2 diabetes? GLP-1 meds like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Monjaro can be very expensive, with or without a prescription. The last thing you want to do is continue behaviors or habits that may stop the meds from doing what they’re supposed to, costing you time, money, and health. Here are key things never to do while on GLP-1 meds.

Not Changing Unhealthy Lifestyle

Shutterstock

Not changing your lifestyle may undermine the GLP-1 meds’ efficacy. “You can likely lose weight on semaglutide medications without changing your diet and activity behaviors, but these lifestyle changes will make the treatment more effective,” Richard Siegel, MD, tells the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. “Also, we don’t know if weight loss will have the same health benefits if one does not change their behaviors.”

Big Portions

Shutterstock

One of the ways GLP-1 meds work is to keep food in the stomach for longer—so be mindful of portions. “Understanding that overall portions are smaller on these medications, we want to optimize nutritional intake and consume the ‘best’ calories available,” obesity medicine physician Dr. Christopher McGowan tells TODAY. “The focus should be on lean protein, healthy fruits and vegetables, adequate fiber, and adequate fluid intake.”

RELATED:What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Taking Ozempic

No Exercise

Shutterstock

Losing weight quickly by doing exercise may prevent you from losing lean muscle mass. Incorporate regular exercise into your routine, walk as much as possible, and try strength training to build muscle.

RELATED:I'm 52, and These 3 Tips Helped Me Shed 40+ Pounds in 6 Months

High Carb, High Fat Foods

Shutterstock

Be careful of too many high-carb, high-fat foods while taking GLP-1 meds. “I’ve seen an almost dumping syndrome-like response in people taking GLP-1s when they eat simple carbohydrates and high-fat foods,” Dr. Shauna Levy, a specialist in obesity medicine and medical director of the Tulane Bariatric and Weight Loss Center in New Orleans, tells TODAY.

Be Monitored By an Expert

Shutterstock

Always talk to a medical professional before taking GLP-1 meds—especially with the risk of serious side effects. “Typically, I prescribe Ozempic for diabetes and have more often prescribed Wegovy for weight loss,” endocrinologist Alyssa Dominguez, MD, tells Keck Medicine. “I have used Ozempic, sometimes, off-label for weight loss, though getting insurance approval for that can be challenging.”

RELATED:20 Possible Ozempic Side Effects

Too Much Sugar

Shutterstock

It’s not advisable to have lots of sugar while taking GLP-1 meds, Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, warns. “If you are taking medication to lower your sugar levels, it is advisable to avoid excess sugar consumption,” Dr. Dina Peralta-Reich, MD, FAAP, FOMA, tells Parade. “Failure to watch what you eat and keep your sugar levels elevated may prevent you from seeing the intended results of the medication.”

Drinking Too Much Alcohol

Shutterstock

Watch your alcohol intake while taking GLP-1 meds—it may undermine your weight loss. “One, it’s just empty calories. Two, it tends to make people make decisions that they otherwise might not make,” says Dr. Levy. “It could increase hunger, and the whole point of GLP-1s, or at least one of the points, is to decrease hunger. So it sort of negates their purpose.”

RELATED:10 Worst Foods to Eat After Your Workout

No Long-Term Goals

Shutterstock

Don’t treat GLP-1 meds like a quick fix—taking them should be part of a long-term strategy to overhaul your health and your weight. “It’s important to note that if you start taking either of these drugs for weight loss, your body may get used to it, establishing a new normal,” says UC Davis Health. This can cause your weight to plateau. Research has shown that if you stop taking Ozempic (or Wegovy), it's likely that you will gain back the weight you lost.” And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 20 Incredible Ozempic Success Stories of All Time.

Are you about to embark on your weight loss journey with Ozempic, Wegovy, or another GLP-1 weight loss drug? There are several things you can do to make the process more enjoyable. Dr. Jessie Watkins, Watkins Metabolic Clinic, is a doctor and social media influencer. In a new viral video, she reveals several tips to reduce Ozempic side effects.

Ozempic and Wegovy Are Both Used for Weight Loss

Shutterstock

“Semaglutide is the medication that is marketed and branded as Ozempic at one milligrams a week for diabetes and at 2.4 milligrams a week for weight loss branded as Wegovy. In this video, let's talk about semaglutide,” she says.

These Are the Most Common Side Effects

“The most common side effects with this medication are gastrointestinal or GI,” she says. “These can include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, and abdominal pain.”

Cut Back on Portion Sizes

Shutterstock

“The number one thing you can do to help reduce these side effects is to cut back on your portion sizes,” she says. “Most of my patients report they eat about half the portion sizes they were eating before, and if you eat beyond the point of feeling full, you're going to feel quite sick to your stomach. So eat very slowly and stop as soon as you feel full.”

RELATED: 20 Things You Need to Know About Ozempic and Weight Loss

Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals

Shutterstock

“In terms of how to change up your daily pattern of eating, again, most of my patients do find that eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day as opposed to a large meal at the end of the day can help reduce their symptoms,” she continues.

Don’t Wait Too Long Between Meals

Shutterstock

She does point out that “nausea can be a result of overeating, but it can also be caused by leaving it too long between your meals.” This is why she advises her patients to pack a small healthy snack to have on hand when they're out and about “in case they start to feel nauseated or lightheaded when it's been too long since they last ate.”

Avoid Gas Causing Foods

Shutterstock

In terms of what foods to eat, there are certain foods to avoid, she says. “It’s best to avoid foods that can cause gas, things like beans, broccoli, and artificial sweeteners.”

RELATED: I Lost 66 Pounds After Adding These 10 Simple Habits

Avoid High Fat and Sugar Foods

Shutterstock

She also recommends avoiding some other things. “It's best to avoid very high-fat foods and foods that are really high in sugar.”

Inject Friday Night Before Bed

Shutterstock

“In terms of when to do your injection, if you have a predictable work schedule, say Monday to Friday, I often tell my patients, try injecting Friday night right before bed because if you're going to feel nauseated, it does tend to be in the day or two after the injection,” she suggests. “And if you're at home and don't have to go to work, that can make that more manageable.”

Also, Inject Into Your Thigh

Shutterstock

As to where to inject, she also has a suggestion. “Some of my patients also report that injecting semaglutide in their thigh as opposed to their abdominal area can help reduce specifically the gastrointestinal side effects,” she says.

Drink Lots of Water

Shutterstock

Hydration is also key. “It's also really important to drink lots of water when you're on this medication because that can also help reduce the symptoms of constipation,” she suggests.

RELATED: I Tried the 12-3-30 Treadmill Workout, and Here's What Happened

Remember, Side Effects Resolve

Shutterstock

“Remember that if you're having side effects early on, the majority of them do resolve after one or two months as your body gets used to this medication,” she concludes. “If you still have concerning side effects, it's best to speak to your physician because they can recommend over-the-counter remedies that can help make them more manageable, or they might switch up and slow down your titration schedule or how quickly you increase the dose to help reduce side effects.” And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 20 Incredible Ozempic Success Stories of All Time.