7 Foods To Avoid While Taking Jardiance

Jardiance is a medication that helps people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.

While there are no known food contraindications with Jardiance, there are several foods that may interfere with its ability to control blood sugar levels. 

This article looks at several foods you may want to limit or avoid if you take Jardiance.

It also reviews beneficial foods to support your overall health, how Jardiance works—and tips for preventing possible food interactions.

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Foods to Avoid While Taking Jardiance

Here are several foods that may interfere with Jardiance’s effectiveness at controlling blood sugar or cause unwanted side effects. 

Garlic Supplements

Garlic has several known health benefits, including lowering blood sugar when taken in supplement form.

However, this may not benefit you if you’re taking Jardiance.

Because Jardiance also works to lower your blood sugar, taking a garlic supplement may cause your blood sugar to drop too low, causing hypoglycemia. 

However, it’s alright if you want to add fresh garlic to your cooking occasionally, as the blood sugar-lowering effect is from garlic in supplement form. 

Green Tea

During studies, green tea lowered fasting blood glucose and Hemoglobin A1C significantly.

While this may be a positive aspect for some people, drinking too much green tea while taking Jardiance may cause your blood sugar to drop too low.

This could make your blood sugar unpredictable and difficult to control.  

Caffeine

While caffeine doesn’t interfere with blood sugar control, drinking it while taking Jardiance may dehydrate you.

Jardiance has caused some people to become dehydrated—a condition when you lose too much water from your body.

‍High amounts of caffeine (over 400 mg daily or more than 4-5 cups of coffee) can increase your risk of dehydration.  

Taking Jardiance and drinking caffeinated beverages may have a compounding effect and cause you to lose too much water and become dehydrated.

You may feel lightheaded, dizzy, or faint. 

Because of this, use caution when drinking caffeinated beverages such as coffee or tea.

Only drink a small amount and drink plenty of water throughout the day. 

Alcohol

If you have type 2 diabetes, it’s important to know the risks of drinking alcohol.

Alcohol can either cause blood sugar to rise too high or drop too low in people with diabetes. 

If you are taking Jardiance, drinking alcohol may cause your blood sugar to become unpredictable and difficult to manage. 

It's alright to have an occasional drink as long as you take some precautionary measures, such as eating a meal before drinking, drinking slowly, and letting the people you are with know the signs of low blood sugar. 

High-Sugar Foods

It’s best to limit your intake of high-sugar foods if you have diabetes.

Eating these foods will cause your blood sugar to rise higher than is healthy. 

Jardiance works with your body to help keep your sugar in a healthy range.

However, if you eat foods containing lots of sugar, it will counteract the purpose of the medication. 

Limiting your sugar intake can help decrease your blood sugar and enhance the benefits of Jardiance. 

Foods high in sugar include:

• Candy.
• Pastries.
• Sodas.
• Baked goods.
• Ice cream or sweetened yogurts.
• Sweetened cereal.
• Canned fruits with added sugars.

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Ultra-Processed Foods

Ultra-Processed foods are food products that have undergone several alterations during preparation.

They typically have limited nutritional value and contain high amounts of saturated fats, sugar, and trans fats, which you want to avoid with diabetes. 

Eating processed foods puts you at risk of elevating your blood sugar too high, which works against Jardiance.

This makes it best to limit or completely avoid eating processed foods. 

Herbs

Currently, there are no herbs contraindicated with Jardiance.

However, when taken as a supplement, several herbs are known to lower blood sugar and have interfered with other diabetes medications. 

You can continue to eat these herbs in small amounts.

Some of the common herbs include:

• Aloe vera.
• Ginseng.
• Ginger.
• Prickly pear cactus.
• Sesame oil.
• St. John’s wort.

Foods to Eat on Jardiance

When taking Jardiance, it’s best to focus on eating foods that support healthy blood sugar levels.

This includes eating a variety of whole foods.

Vegetables are a great source of vitamins, nutrition, and fiber.

Some great vegetable choices that help maintain blood sugar levels include broccoli, carrots, green beans, and peppers.

Whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, and oats can help give your body energy without causing your blood sugar to spike.

Lean proteins, such as chicken, legumes, and fish, are important for helping you feel full and maintaining your muscles without increasing your blood sugar.

When cooking, use healthy fats found in nuts, olive oil, and avocados.

You can also enjoy fruits in moderation.

Some fruits are high in fiber, and are less likely to cause a blood sugar spike, including berries, plums, apples, grapes, and cherries. 

Choose nonfat or low-fat milk, yogurt, or cheese when selecting dairy.

Eating these types of food can enhance Jardiance's effectiveness in managing type 2 diabetes. 

What is Jardiance?

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is an oral medication doctors prescribe for managing blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes and reducing their risk for cardiovascular problems.

People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) also can take Jardiance to lower their risk of continued kidney function decline. 

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How Does Jardiance Work? 

Jardiance is in a drug class known as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors).

It works to reduce blood sugar levels by helping the kidneys remove more sugar from the bloodstream and excrete it into the urine.

It works alongside lifestyle changes, including eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise. 

Tips for Preventing Interactions with Foods

Before taking Jardiance, discussing possible food, drug, and supplement interactions with your doctor or pharmacist is important.

Give them a list of all your medications and supplements so they can check for possible interactions. 

Also, let your doctor know if you drink alcohol and caffeine.

They can discuss safe amounts for you to consume while taking Jardiance. 

Other Considerations

Other considerations while taking Jardiance include keeping yourself hydrated, exercising regularly, and knowing the signs of low blood sugar. 

Staying hydrated is key for your overall health.

Jardiance can cause a person to become dehydrated, making it important for you to get adequate hydration throughout the day.

How much water you need depends on your age and activity level.

On average, experts recommend women drink about nine cups of water daily and men drink 13 cups daily. 

Jardiance works with following a healthy diet and getting regular exercise.

Exercise is an important part of managing type 2 diabetes.

It helps keep blood sugar in a healthy range and can be a factor in maintaining a healthy weight.

Experts recommend getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week. 

It’s also important for you to be aware of the signs of low blood sugar and let those you live with or close friends know the signs of it.

Hypoglycemia is what health professionals call low blood sugar.

‍Signs include feeling:

• Hungry.
• Jittery or shaky.
• Tired.
• Dizzy or lightheaded.
• Confused or irritable.
• Fast or unsteady heartbeat.
• Headache.
• Vision changes.
• Difficulty speaking clearly.

Other Jardiance Interactions

There are other possible interactions when taking Jardiance. It’s important to speak to your pharmacist or doctor about possible interactions before taking the medication. 

Jardiance and Medications

Before starting Jardiance, give your doctor or pharmacist a list of all the over-the-counter and prescription medications you’re currently taking so they can assess your risk of possible interactions. 

Known drug interactions with Jardiance include:

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. 
• Angiotensin receptor blockers.
• Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs).
• Diuretics or water pills.
• Insulin or oral medications for diabetes.
• Lithium.

Vitamins and Supplements

It’s important to let your doctor or pharmacist know about any vitamins or supplements you’re currently taking so they can assess your risk of possible interactions.

Tips for Preventing Interactions With Medications

The best way to prevent interactions with medications while taking Jardiance is to speak to a healthcare professional about all possible interactions. They can inform you about what is safe to take while on Jardiance and what prescription or over-the-counter medication you may need to avoid.

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Takeaway

Jardiance is a valuable tool people with type 2 diabetes can use to manage their blood sugar.

However, it is important to know how different foods and lifestyle choices may influence the medication. 

Certain foods or beverages can cause your blood sugar to rise too high or drop too low while taking Jardiance.

It’s also important to know which foods are best to eat while taking Jardiance, as they will help you manage your blood sugar level. 

Staying hydrated and learning how to monitor your blood sugar level can help decrease possible side effects. 

Overall, with proper use, Jardiance is a great medication that may help you manage your type 2 diabetes. 

How a Dietitian Can Help

A diabetes registered dietitian can help provide you with personalized advice about what foods are best to eat and which to avoid or limit while taking Jardiance.

They can take into consideration your preferences and other medical conditions you may have. 

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