Are you on Trulicity medication? Have you ever wondered whether there are any special foods that you must avoid during trulicity medication? Does trulicity medication mean forgetting your favorite foods? The medication does not require avoiding any specific food.
However, it will be better to avoid some foods to get the best results from the medication. What are those foods? In this article, let us discuss this in-depth, along with the workings, benefits, and foods to include in your diet while on Trulicity medication.
Key Takeaways
- Trulicity and Diabetes Management: Trulicity helps manage type 2 diabetes but should be complemented with a balanced diet and exercise.
- Side Effects Awareness: Side effects like nausea and gastrointestinal issues may occur; monitoring is crucial.
- Dietary Considerations: While no specific foods are restricted, limiting alcohol, refined grains, added sugars, fried foods, and processed foods can enhance Trulicity’s effectiveness and reduce side effects.
What Is Trulicity?
Trulicity is a once-a-week injection prescribed for adults with type 2 diabetes. The medication, also known as Dulaglutide, mimics the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone. The injection is given on the same day and time every week. It commands the body to:
- Release more insulin.
- Reduce the release of more sugar.
- Reduce the speed of digestion.
These three actions help type 2 diabetes patients maintain their blood sugar levels throughout the day. However, depending solely on trulicity cannot bring major results, as a balanced diet and regular exercise are mandatory.
What Are The Common Side Effects Of Trulicity?
Although trulicity is an effective medicine, people tend to experience side effects such as nausea in the initial days, which improve over time. However, trulicity also has other side effects, such as:
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Indigestion
8 Foods To Avoid With Trulicity
It is not mandatory to avoid the consumption of any particular food while taking Trulicity, but reducing some will give more results. Some of them are:
1. Alcohol
Alcohol has a major effect on your blood sugar levels. It can cause either high blood sugar or low blood sugar, depending on the amount of intake. Therefore, alcohol can have adverse effects on people with diabetes as their sugar levels keep fluctuating. Moreover, it can increase the risk of pancreatitis in people taking Trulicity medication.
2. Refined grains
Unlike regular grains, refined grains are processed grains that undergo a process of removing germs and bran. Although this process gives a finer texture and increases the shelf life of the grains, it also reduces the beneficiary items such as dietary fiber, iron, and vitamin B from the grains. So, people taking trulicity medication are advised not to consume refined grains.
3. Added sugars
The sugars that are added to foods and beverages during their processing are called added sugars. Consuming excessive amounts of these sugars might cause a blood sugar surge and add calories to your diet that are not necessary. Some of them include:
- Brown sugar
- Honey
- Cane juice
- Corn trump
- Malt syrup
- Molasses
- Raw sugar
4. Fried foods
Fried foods can cause several side effects due to the high use of oils that are unhealthy for the body. These foods take longer to digest and may also cause nausea and ingestion. Fried foods can also cause cardiovascular diseases. Some commonly eaten fried foods are fried chicken, french fries, and onion rings.
5. Sugary foods and beverages
Sugar consumption can cause a rapid increase in people with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, they are advised not to consume foods such as cakes, cookies, candies, and other bottled sweet drinks. Additionally, consuming such foods and beverages can thwart the purpose of trulicity.
6. Fatty foods
Foods high in fat, especially those high in saturated fats such as cheeses, full-fat dairy products, red meats, and processed foods, could worsen digestive side effects like indigestion, nausea, and vomiting.
7. Sodium-high foods
Trulicity is not a medicine prescribed only for type 2 diabetes. It is prescribed for people with and prone to heart diseases. Therefore, consuming high-sodium foods can affect them, as they may tend to develop more cardiovascular diseases.
8. Processed foods
High levels of added sugars, salt, and fat are commonly found in highly processed meals such as chips, crackers, and frozen entrees, which can further impair glycemic control.
Is There Any Alternative To Trulicity?
People may find it difficult to use Trulicity if the side effects increase. It is important to keep an eye on the side effects and consult medical help if the side effects increase over time. In such cases, the doctor may provide other GLP-1 medications as an alternative to trulicity. Some of them are:
- Ozempic
- Victoza
- Byetta
- Mounjaro
- Bydureon Bcise
Conclusion
While trulicity, a weekly injection, is an effective medication for type 2 diabetes, depending solely on it cannot bring desirable changes in your health. It should be well complemented with a balanced diet and regular exercise. Although this medication does not restrict the use of any particular food, you must reduce the consumption of certain foods with high sugar and sodium, processed, fried, and fatty foods, and alcohol to increase efficiency and mitigate the side effects.
Additionally, it is important to monitor the side effects and consult a doctor if they persist for a longer period. Under such circumstances, the doctor might suggest alternatives for trulicity such as Ozempic, Victoza, and others. Remember, a holistic approach incorporating proper medication, diet, and exercise is essential to achieving desirable results.
