5 Foods to Avoid While Taking Mounjaro

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is an injectable medication for treatment of Type 2 diabetes. While effective, it often comes with side effects. The most common side effects of Mounjaro include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

To help counteract these side effects and support long-lasting benefits of Mounjaro, it’s helpful to avoid certain foods that could worsen these symptoms. Here, we’ll review which foods to avoid and which ones are most beneficial while taking Mounjaro.

Foods to avoid while taking Mounjaro

There’s not an official “Mounjaro diet plan,” but certain strategies can be helpful if you’re taking Mounjaro.

Certain foods can raise your blood sugar more than others. So, avoiding or limiting these foods can help Mounjaro work better for you.

And, as mentioned, certain foods can worsen Mounjaro’s gastrointestinal side effects. By avoiding these options, you may be able to improve your tolerance of Mounjaro. 

Foods high in sugar

When you have diabetes, it’s important to watch what you eat to keep your blood sugar within your target range. This means limiting foods that are high in sugar. Some examples are fairly obvious, like the ones below. But beware of hidden sugars and make sure to read labels: 

• Candy

• Cookies 

• Juice

• Soda

• Sweetened beverages 

Soda and other carbonated beverages can also cause bloating and gas, which can worsen Mounjaro’s side effects.

Refined carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are an important part of a balanced diet, despite what you may have read online. But not just any carbs — refined carbohydrates are the ones to avoid. These typically lack beneficial fiber and nutrients. They break down quickly into simple sugars, which can raise blood sugar levels and leave you feeling hungry sooner.

Examples of foods high in refined carbohydrates include:

• Pasta

• White bread

• White rice

• Crackers 

• Baked goods, such as pastries and bagels

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Fruits and vegetables with high glycemic index

Similar to carbohydrates, not all fruits and vegetables have the same nutritional value. Some have a higher glycemic index (GI) and can cause blood sugar to rise faster. 

Vegetables with a high GI include:

• Carrots

• Potatoes

• Sweet corn

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High-GI fruits include:

• Pineapple

• Watermelon

• Ripe bananas

• Dates 

Foods high in fat

Fatty foods can be difficult or slow to digest. They can worsen side effects of Mounjaro such as nausea and stomach discomfort.

Examples of high-fat foods include:

• Fried foods, like french fries, mozzarella sticks, and fried chicken

• Fast foods, like burgers and pizza

• High-fat dairy products, such as butter and ice cream

• High-fat cuts of meats 

Alcohol

It’s best to avoid or limit alcohol while taking Mounjaro for a few reasons:

• Alcohol may lower your blood sugar, and pairing it with Mounjaro can increase your risk of low blood sugar even more. 

• Alcohol can irritate your stomach lining, worsening the side effects of Mounjaro. 

• Both heavy alcohol use and Mounjaro can increase the risk of pancreatitis. 

Best foods to eat while taking Mounjaro

The basics of healthy eating with diabetes stay the same, even if you’re taking an effective medication like Mounjaro. And even if you have to avoid or limit some foods, there are still many delicious food choices that can help you feel your best. 

The following food items don’t quickly increase or lower blood sugar and typically don’t worsen Mounjaro’s side effects.

Fruits and vegetables

In general, snacking on fruits and vegetables is a healthy choice. While you should limit high-sugar fruits and starchy vegetables, you’ll find many other fruit and vegetable options. Stick to those that have a low glycemic index, such as:

• Apples

• Oranges

• Blackberries

• Avocado

• Broccoli

• Cauliflower 

Whole grains

Whole grains include brown rice, quinoa, and whole-wheat bread. These may also help control your blood sugar levels. Whole grain products are high in fiber, which create a “full” feeling and can help prevent overeating. But too much fiber can cause bloating and unwanted changes in your bowel habits. So, it’s best to increase your fiber intake slowly.

Lean proteins

Lean proteins have less fat. They also have high nutritional value and will give you essential nutrients for a healthier lifestyle. Lean proteins include:

• Chicken

• Fish

• Eggs

• Tofu

• Nuts 

Low-fat dairy products

Dairy products like cottage cheese and reduced-fat milk provide essential calcium for strong bones, as well as protein. But it’s helpful to stick with low-fat options. Full-fat dairy can worsen stomach upset, bloating, and similar side effects while taking Mounjaro.

Healthy fats

Not all fat is bad. While meat products contain saturated fats, unsaturated fats — or “healthy fats” — are a great addition to any diet. They can be found in avocados, nuts, and olive oil to name a few. These kinds of fat help stabilize blood sugar levels. 

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Written by:

Jonathan Santana, DO

Jonathan Santana, DO, is a board-certified and fellowship-trained pediatrician, with board certification in primary-care sports medicine. He has been in academic practice for 8 years as an assistant professor in orthopedics.

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.

Reviewed by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

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