Diet and Nutrition

5 Foods to Avoid When Taking Ozempic

Written by Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP | Reviewed by Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Updated on February 10, 2026

Reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD | June 3, 2025

Key takeaways:

Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable prescription medication that’s FDA approved to treat several medical conditions. It can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
Some foods can worsen the side effects of Ozempic. Avoid alcohol and greasy, high-fat foods while on Ozempic. This can lower your chance of experiencing unwanted side effects.
There’s no such thing as an Ozempic diet. But limiting ultra-processed and sugary foods can help Ozempic better control blood sugar.

Reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD | June 3, 2025

Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable medication that can help treat Type 2 diabetes and other medical conditions. Ozempic can cause unwanted side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

But there are ways to limit, or even avoid, these unpleasant side effects. Avoiding certain foods can help lower your risk of gut upset and improve your blood sugar control.

Let’s look at the best foods and drinks to eat and those to avoid while taking Ozempic.

Foods to avoid while taking Ozempic

There’s no such thing as an “Ozempic diet.” And there aren’t any foods and drinks you absolutely can’t eat while taking Ozempic.

But Ozempic can cause stomach upset — and other gut side effects. So you may want to avoid foods that can worsen or trigger these symptoms.

You also want to avoid foods that can raise your blood sugar too quickly. This will help Ozempic and other diabetes medications better control insulin production and release.

Here are five foods and drinks to avoid when taking Ozempic.

1. Foods that are high in fat

Foods that are high in fat can worsen Ozempic side effects. On their own, these foods can lead to stomach upset. So, when they’re combined with Ozempic, the likelihood of developing gut side effects goes up.

Plus, since Ozempic slows how quickly the stomach empties, these foods have even more time to hang around and upset your gut.

Examples of high-fat foods to avoid while on Ozempic include:

Fried foods like french fries or fried chicken
Greasy foods like pizza, cheeseburgers, and donuts
High-fat dairy products like ice cream, butter, cream, and some cheeses

2. Sugary foods and drinks

If you have diabetes, you know how important it is to limit sugary foods and beverages. Foods with a high glycemic index make it harder to manage blood sugar.

3. Ultra-processed carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are an important part of a nutritious and balanced diet. But not all carbohydrates are good for you. Ultra-processed carbohydrates, or refined carbohydrates, lack fiber and most vitamins. And they can cause spikes in your blood sugar levels, which can make it harder for Ozempic to do its job.

Try to limit refined carbohydrates while on Ozempic, like:

White bread
White rice
White flour
Crackers

4. Starchy vegetables

Vegetables are an important part of a nutritious diet. But starchy vegetables have a high glycemic load, which can affect blood sugar levels.

You don’t have to ditch starchy vegetables completely. But try to limit how much of them you eat. This will help Ozempic work at its best. Some examples of vegetables with a higher glycemic load include:

Potatoes
Corn
Parsnips
Rutabaga

5. Alcohol

If you’re taking Ozempic, it’s a good idea to limit alcohol or avoid it altogether. Alcohol irritates the stomach. And Ozempic gives alcohol more time to linger in the stomach, increasing the chances of stomach upset and nausea.

Combining alcohol with diabetes medications, including Ozempic, also raises your risk of developing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Hypoglycemia can be dangerous to your health.

Infographic showing how to store Ozempic

Foods to eat while taking Ozempic

Now that you know which foods to avoid while taking Ozempic, let’s look at some Ozempic-friendly foods. These foods can help you get the most out of your Ozempic treatment. And they can lower your chances of developing unpleasant Ozempic-related side effects.

First, choose foods and drinks that don’t quickly raise or lower blood sugar. This helps keep your blood sugar steady. And it lets Ozempic (and other diabetes medications) work to their best ability.

It’s also a good idea to stick to low-fat, nongreasy foods because these are less likely to irritate the gut.

Reviewed by Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP | April 12, 2024

Try adding the following foods to your daily diet.

Lean protein

Lean protein contains unsaturated, or healthy, fats. They’re also a great source of protein and other important nutrients. Your appetite will be lower while taking Ozempic. So it’s important to prioritize foods that are high in important nutrients like healthy fats, protein, and vitamins.

Examples of lean protein include:

Fish
Chicken
Turkey
Beans
Tofu

Low-fat dairy products

Like lean protein, dairy products contain proteins and vitamins. But you may want to opt for low-fat dairy products, because full-fat dairy may upset your stomach while taking Ozempic.

Examples of low-fat dairy products include:

Low-fat milk
Cottage cheese
Greek yogurt

Seeds and nuts

Seeds and nuts are another great source of healthy fats and minerals. They’re calorie dense, but you’ll be less likely to overeat while taking Ozempic. Seeds and nuts are also a great option if you’re looking for a plant-based source for these key nutrients.

Low-glycemic fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables that have a low glycemic index are less likely to cause rapid changes in blood sugar levels. This can help Ozempic work better to control blood sugar.

Nonstarchy vegetables include:

Leafy greens
Tomatoes
Radishes
Carrots

Low-glycemic fruits include:

Fresh berries
Apples
Citrus fruits

Other tips for avoiding Ozempic side effects

It’s not just what you eat that can trigger side effects from Ozempic: How you eat matters, too.

Here are some other eating tips to help lower your chances of experiencing Ozempic side effects:

Take Ozempic before meals instead of after meals.
If you’re eating carbs, add in some protein. This can balance your blood sugar.
Avoid dairy and fat in the evenings, since this can lower the chances of overnight nausea, heartburn, and belching from Ozempic.
Eat slowly, as this can help prevent stomach upset from slowed emptying.
If you’re constipated from Ozempic, add fiber into your diet slowly. Adding too much fiber too fast can worsen gas and bloating.
Opt for water and unsweetened drinks, as these will keep you hydrated without increasing your blood sugar.

Frequently asked questions

You can drink coffee while taking Ozempic. There are no interactions between coffee (or caffeine) and Ozempic.

But keep in mind that the caffeine in coffee can trigger bowel movements. So, you may want to cut back on caffeine if you’re experiencing Ozempic-related diarrhea. However, if you’re one of the many people who experience Ozempic-related constipation, a cup of coffee may actually help get your bowels moving.

It’s best to limit or avoid drinking alcohol altogether while taking Ozempic. Alcohol can trigger hypoglycemia when combined with certain diabetes medications, especially if you’re drinking on an empty stomach.

Since Ozempic curbs your appetite, you may not realize that it’s been a while since you last ate. And this increases the chances that you accidentally have a drink on an empty stomach. Also, alcohol irritates your stomach lining, which can worsen side effects like nausea.

Most people can safely take Ozempic if they have high blood pressure. Some blood pressure medications can lower blood sugar levels. Combining Ozempic and these blood pressure medications may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Your healthcare team can work with you to adjust your blood pressure medications so you can safely take Ozempic.

Eating too much while on Ozempic can trigger unpleasant gut side effects like nausea, bloating, and upset stomach. Most people feel fuller faster while taking Ozempic. And the feeling can come on quickly. Try to slow down how quickly you eat so you can get a sense of when you start to feel full. Over time this will help you figure out the right portion sizes for meals.

A good breakfast on Ozempic includes foods that are low in sugar and fat but rich in important nutrients and protein. Low-fat dairy options like egg whites, Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese can be a good choice. Nut butters, vegetables, fruit, and whole-grain toast or English muffins can also be a good choice.

The bottom line

Ozempic is an injectable prescription medication that’s FDA approved to treat diabetes and lower the risk of serious cardiovascular events in some people. But it can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Some foods are more likely to trigger these side effects. Other foods make it harder for Ozempic to control blood sugar and insulin release. Avoid greasy and fatty foods, foods that are high in sugar, ultra-processed carbohydrates, and alcohol while taking Ozempic.

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Written by:

Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP

Dr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine. Dual-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both traditional medical practices and innovative lifestyle interventions for chronic disease management and reversal.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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References

American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Alcohol and diabetes.

American Heart Association. (2023). Carbohydrates.

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