You’ll be happy to know that Trulicity doesn’t have a list of food interactions, so there’s nothing you need to avoid for this medication to do its job. But just because there are no foods to avoid with Trulicity, there are some dietary concerns to keep in mind.
Some foods may worsen Trulicity’s side effects, and others may negatively impact how it works for you.
Let’s discuss some healthy guidelines to help maximize your results with Trulicity.
What To Avoid When Taking Trulicity
Trulicity may be used to treat Type 2 Diabetes and obesity. While you don’t need to worry about food interactions, your diet does play a role in how effective this medication is for you.
There are some foods your doctor or nutritionist may recommend avoiding or consuming less of.
Foods with Added Sugar
Everywhere you look, you have the opportunity to consume foods that are high in sugar. While cakes, cookies, and candy may be what you crave, they’re likely to cause blood sugar spikes.
The same applies to high-sugar drinks like soda, sweet tea, and fruit juice.
Unfortunately, you may be consuming added sugars without even realizing it. Food labels can be confusing because there are so many different names for sugar, such as:
- Corn syrup
- Maple syrup
- Molasses
- Beet sugar
- Coconut sugar
Try to minimize added sugar, and if you can, eliminate it.
Fried Food
There’s no denying that fried food is delicious. But it takes a long time for your body to digest it. Trulicity causes your body to take longer to digest your food, so eating fried food may further delay digestion.
Slow stomach emptying, or gastroparesis, may cause nausea, vomiting, bloating, and other uncomfortable side effects. It’s best to choose baked food over fried food as a healthier alternative.
Refined Grains
People with Type 2 Diabetes on Trulicity should consume less refined grains and more whole grains. Refined grains do not contain as much fiber and nutrients as whole grains. They are stripped away during the refining process.
Refined grains are more likely to raise your blood sugar levels and negatively impact your heart and cholesterol.
You don’t have to leave them entirely behind if you love white bread, tortillas, and rice. Some whole-grain options are just as tasty and good for you, too.
Alcohol
For most people with Type 2 Diabetes, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a glass of wine now and then if you’re taking Trulicity. But please talk with your doctor to get more personalized guidelines.
You should be cautious when drinking alcohol if you’re taking any medication for diabetes. Alcohol may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), depending on your consumption type and amount.
If you’re going to drink alcohol, try to eat a meal first, and limit your drinks to one if you’re a woman and two if you’re a man. Binge-drinking will likely cause low blood sugar, so moderation is key.
How to Minimize Trulicity’s Side Effects
Most patients don’t experience bothersome, long-term side effects when taking Trulicity. Some side effects, such as injection site reactions, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion, will go away with continued use.
But everyone is unique, and you may react differently to this medication than others. There are ways you can adjust your dietary habits to minimize these and other uncomfortable side effects.
Consume Smaller Meals More Often
Like most people, you may be used to eating three meals a day. But if you’re struggling with getting full too quickly or your stomach feels bloated while taking Trulicity, you may be overeating at once.
This is often a simple fix. It may be helpful to eat smaller, more frequent meals. This change can help reduce nausea and even help you avoid overeating if that has been a problem for you in the past.
Smaller, more frequent meals will also help to lower your blood sugar levels, so you have fewer dips and spikes.
Talk with Your Doctor or Nutritionist About a Healthy Meal Plan
The foods you consume will directly impact how Trulicity works for you. Like other diabetes medications, this medicine works best with a healthy diet.
Your doctor may have given you some dietary recommendations. But if not, make an appointment to discuss your diet with them. Your doctor may want you to talk with a nutritionist too.
Either way, you will get some valuable advice to help you know what to eat, how often to eat, and how much you should eat.
Stick to Bland Foods
When you first begin taking Trulicity, you may notice some digestive discomfort. This discomfort may last until your body adjusts to your medication.
At first, you may find it helpful to eat more light, bland foods that are easier on your stomach. Toast, rice, applesauce, and bananas will help avoid nausea.
If you continue to feel nauseous, talk with your doctor. They may want you to take a different medication for Type 2 Diabetes that doesn’t cause so many side effects for you.
Foods to Eat While Taking Trulicity
We’ve discussed what foods you should avoid while taking Trulicity. Let’s talk about some that you should consider making a regular part of your diet.
- Fruit, including low-carb fruits – avocados, berries, and coconut are excellent choices
- Vegetables, including root veggies and leafy greens
- Legumes and all kinds of beans
- Eggs
- Low-fat dairy foods like yogurt and milk
- Lean meats such as chicken, turkey, and fish
- Unsweetened beverages like tea, coffee, and plain water
When shopping for food, your best bet is to stick to the grocery store’s perimeter and avoid the aisles as much as possible. That’s where the healthiest options are.
Need Help Covering the Cost of Your Trulicity Prescription?
Trulicity can be expensive, even if you have insurance to help make it more affordable. At The Rx Advocates, we aim to make paying for your monthly prescription medications easier on your budget.
Many patients we work with can’t afford prescription medications without our services. You may qualify for free Trulicity each month. We work directly with pharmaceutical company patient assistance programs for a minimal monthly service fee.
For more information on getting assistance with paying for your monthly Trulicity prescription through The Rx Advocates, please contact us.
