5 Foods to Avoid While Taking Mounjaro [According to a Dietitian]

Mounjaro has taken the medical world by storm as a breakthrough treatment for type 2 diabetes. But that’s not all — it’s also on the verge of being approved as a game-changer for weight loss management.

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For even greater and long-lasting success, it’s crucial to team it up with a healthy diet. The key advantage of healthy eating in this context is to maximize the benefits of the medication and help you cope with any unpleasant side effects.

Some common side effects of this medication include upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, and decreased appetite. Awareness of these potential effects is important, but individual experiences may vary.

An important part of managing this is to know which foods are best minimized or avoided altogether while taking Mounjaro.

Disclaimer: This is my expert opinion as a registered dietitian and doctor in clinical nutrition. My opinion is based on extensive research and experience.

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is the brand name for a drug called tirzepatide. It’s part of a new class of diabetes medications called GLP-1 agonists, and the FDA has approved it as an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes.

This medication works by enhancing insulin secretion, improving insulin sensitivity, and decreasing how much food you eat.

One of the most welcomed side effects is weight loss. This medication is expected to be soon approved for weight loss in non-diabetics.

Common Side Effects

As with any medication, potential side effects can occur when taking Mounjaro. The most common side effects include:

Nausea
Stomach pain
Constipation
Diarrhea
Indigestion
Decreased appetite

Mounjaro: Foods to Avoid

The goal of minimizing or avoiding certain foods is to optimize the management of blood glucose and reduce the risk of potential side effects. Here are some foods that should be minimized or avoided while taking Mounjaro:

Sugary Drinks

It’s recommended to minimize sugary drinks, like sodas, energy drinks, and fruit juices. These are high in calories and can raise blood sugar levels quickly.

Sugary drinks are absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream, causing a spike in the blood sugar level.

This is in contrast to complex carbohydrates and proteins, which take longer to digest and provide a feeling of fullness.

The reason for this difference is primarily the lack of fiber and protein content in these beverages. As a result, even after consuming a high-calorie sugary drink, individuals may still feel hungry and be inclined to consume additional calories, potentially leading to weight gain and poor blood sugar control.

Sugary drinks include:

Soda
Energy drinks
Fruit juices
Sweetened coffee/tea
Sports drinks

Sugary Foods

Snacks like candy and pastries should also be avoided while taking Mounjaro. Like sugary drinks, these sugar-laden foods can quickly raise blood sugar and are not generally considered to provide any nutritional value.

Also, like drinks containing sugar, these sugary foods lack fiber and other nutrients. Typically they are high in calories with only a few — if any — nutrients.

Too much sugar can also upset your stomach.

Examples of sugary foods include:

Cookies
Doughnuts
Candy
Ice cream
Cake
Chocolate bars
Pastries
Sugary cereals

High-Fat Foods

Limiting the amount of high-fat food you eat while taking Moujaro is also advisable.

Fatty foods can impact the digestive tract by slowing down the emptying of the stomach. This may worsen constipation or speed up movement, potentially leading to or worsening diarrhea.

In addition, high-fat foods can also be very calorically dense, meaning they contain a relatively large number of calories per volume of food. This can contribute to weight gain, which makes blood glucose control more difficult.

High-fat foods include:

Fried items
Creamy sauces
High-fat meats (like bacon)
Mayonnaise

You can eat nutritious high-fat foods daily in small portions.

These include:

Nuts
Seeds
Avocado
Oils (olive, avocado, etc.)

Fast Food

Fast food is typically high in sugar, fat, and calories. It combines all the types of food to limit.

Fast foods also tend to lack fiber, which is important for your overall health and helps keep you feeling full longer.

You should treat these meals as an occasional treat rather than a regular part of your diet.

Examples of fast foods include:

Burgers
Fries
Pizza
Hot dogs
Fried chicken

Alcohol

It’s best to limit or avoid alcohol when taking Moujaro. Drinking alcohol can increase dizziness, nausea, and headaches, thereby exacerbating the side effects of the medication.

What’s more, alcoholic beverages are high in calories and can contribute to weight gain.

If you do choose to drink, it’s best to consume only low amounts of alcohol and have a healthy snack with your drink. Avoid consuming more than one or two drinks in the evening.

Foods to Eat

Eating a balanced diet rich in whole grains, lean proteins, and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables will help optimize the effects of your medication. These foods are chock full of essential vitamins and minerals and contribute to a feeling of fullness, helping curb any tendency to overeat tendencies.

Drinking plenty of fluids —especially water — is also crucial to avoid dehydration.

Lastly, while treats are fine in moderation, remember the goal is to nourish your body. With these tips in mind, you can still enjoy eating without compromising your health while taking Moujaro.

Get your meal plan

You can download a meal plan here, which includes information about healthy food choices.

Or visit my blog post about the Mounjaro meal plan.

The Bottom Line

Moujaro is designed to help manage blood glucose levels, with weight loss as a welcome side effect.

It’s important to avoid or limit the consumption of processed or high-fat food, fast food, and alcohol when using Moujaro. Replacing these with whole, nutritious options will help you get the most out of your medication.