Foods to Avoid With Trulicity: What to Eat Instead

Eating the right types of foods is important while taking Trulicity, a medication doctors prescribe to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

By incorporating specific foods into your diet, you may enhance the drug's effects, potentially improving your results and reducing the likelihood of side effects. 

Read on for a comprehensive guide to the types of foods to limit or avoid while taking Trulicity, get ideas for meal planning, discover which foods are best to eat, and learn specific ways a dietitian can help. 

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Foods To Avoid With Trulicity

Trulicity works in your body to maintain your blood sugar in a healthy range.

However, certain foods work against the medication’s positive benefits by increasing blood sugar and potentially reducing its effects.

High-Sugar Foods

Eating foods high in sugar can cause a quick and significant increase in your blood glucose (sugar) levels, which works against Trulicity’s effects on managing diabetes.

Limiting these foods is important for maintaining steady blood sugar and supporting the medication’s aim of improving glucose control.

Foods high in sugar can include:

• Sugary beverages (sodas, sweetened tea and coffee, sweetened fruit juices).
• Candies.
• Desserts.

Processed Foods

Processed foods often contain high amounts of sugars, unhealthy fats, and sodium (salt), which can interfere with maintaining balanced blood sugars.

They also tend to lack nutritional value and may lead to weight gain and increased insulin resistance. 

Processed foods typically include:

• Packaged snacks.
• Fast foods.
• Frozen meals.
• Canned foods.

Refined Carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates are grains that have undergone processing that strips away some of their fiber and nutrition to help improve shelf life and texture. 

However, refined carbohydrates quickly absorb into the bloodstream and cause a rapid increase in blood sugar, which complicates diabetes management with Trulicity.

Refined carbohydrate examples include:

• White bread.
• White pasta.
• White rice.

High-Fat Foods

Consuming large amounts of foods high in saturated fats can increase your risk of heart disease and weight gain, which works against the benefits of Trulicity. 

Saturated fats are typically solid at room temperature and include foods such as:

• Butter.
• Palm oil.
• Whole fat cheeses.
• Red meat.

Sodium-Rich Foods

While your body needs some sodium to function well, eating too much can cause high blood pressure, a common concern with diabetes.

Foods high in sodium include:

• Canned soups.
• Salty snacks.
• Processed meats (salami, sausage, bacon, cold cuts)
• Frozen meals.

When taking Trulicity, try to limit foods high in sodium by checking food labels and avoiding adding extra salt to your foods.

Alcohol

Alcohol can have an unpredictable effect on your blood sugar level, causing it to rise too high or drop too low.

It can also interfere with certain diabetes medications, although there is no known interaction between alcohol and Trulicity.

If you are taking Trulicity, it’s important to limit your alcoholic beverages and closely monitor your blood sugar level.

If you choose to drink, be sure to eat a meal before or with the alcohol and avoid drinking on an empty stomach.

It’s always best to talk with your doctor for personalized guidance regarding alcohol intake while taking this medication.

Sample Diet Plan On Trulicity 

Here is a sample five-day meal plan emphasizing high-fiber foods, lean proteins, and whole grains while limiting sugar, saturated fats, and sodium.

Before starting a new way of eating, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, to ensure you are meeting your nutritional needs while reaching your health goals. 

Day 1

• Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with spinach and whole grain toast with mashed avocado spread.
• Lunch: Grilled chicken salad with a variety of greens, couscous, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, yellow or red pepper, and drizzled with a vinaigrette dressing.
• Snack: A small handful of mixed nuts and an apple.
• Dinner: Baked salmon with steamed broccoli and quinoa.

Day 2

• Breakfast: Greek yogurt with mixed berries, sugar-free granola, and a sprinkle of chia seeds.
• Lunch: A turkey and avocado wrap with a whole wheat tortilla, tomato, and mixed greens, served with a side of fresh melon slices.
• Snack: Veggie sticks with hummus spread.
• Dinner: Stir-fried tofu or shrimp with assorted vegetables over brown rice.

Day 3

• Breakfast: Oatmeal topped with sliced banana, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a drizzle of almond butter.
• Lunch: Lentil soup with a side of mixed leafy greens and a slice of a whole-grain pita.
• Snack: Orange slices and a hard-boiled egg.
• Dinner: Grilled chicken breast with steamed asparagus or broccoli and a side of brown rice pilaf.

Day 4

• Breakfast: A Greek yogurt smoothie with spinach, frozen berries, protein powder, and unsweetened almond milk.
• Lunch: Quinoa salad with diced tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, and grilled chicken, drizzled with a low-sugar Greek vinaigrette dressing.
• Snack: Low-fat cottage cheese with fresh or canned-in-water sliced peaches or pears.
• Dinner: Beef stir-fry with bell peppers, broccoli, and snow peas served over cauliflower rice.

Day 5

• Breakfast: Two eggs fried in vegetable oil placed on a bed of sautéed kale and whole grain toast.
• Lunch: Leftover diced grilled chicken mixed with Greek yogurt, chopped celery, red onion, green apple, and Dijon mustard served in a whole-grain pita pocket.
• Snack: A small bowl of mixed nuts and seeds with an apple.
• Dinner: Grilled garlic shrimp skewers with roasted Brussels sprouts and baked sweet potato.

What To Eat With Trulicity

While taking Trulicity, eating the right foods can help support your blood sugar levels and the medication’s benefits. 

The foods to focus on should include lean proteins, high-fiber fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and beverages that keep you hydrated. 

Eating these foods helps you meet your nutritional needs without causing rapid increases in your blood sugar and supports your overall health. 

Talking with a registered dietitian is also helpful when learning to eat while taking Trulicity.

They can make tailored meal plan recommendations to meet your specific needs. 

Whole Grains And Complex Carbs

Whole grains and complex carbohydrates provide energy without causing a rapid spike in blood sugar.

They are also packed with nutrition and vitamins and are great sources of fiber, which helps slow how quickly your body absorbs glucose.

Whole grains and complex carbs include:

• Brown rice.
• Quinoa.
• Oats.
• Whole grain breads and pasta.
• Ancient grains (Farro, bulger, millet, barley, etc.)

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Lean Proteins

Lean proteins contain essential nutrients for muscle building and tissue repair and do not directly impact blood sugar levels.

They also help you feel full for longer, making them an excellent choice while taking Trulicity.

Opt for lean proteins such as:

• Chicken breast.
• Turkey.
• Tofu.
• Beans.
• Lentils.
• Fish.

When planning your meals, include a variety of different types of protein throughout the week to help you meet your nutritional needs. 

High-Fiber Fruits And Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which helps naturally regulate blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream.

Try eating a variety of vegetables throughout the day to give yourself a variety of nutrients. Some high-fiber veggies include:

• Dark leaf lettuce.
• Swiss chard.
• Spinach.
• Raw carrots.
• Asparagus.
• Beets.
• Sweet potatoes with skin.
• Broccoli.
• String beans.
• Artichokes.
• Squash.

You may need to limit your fruit serving size to one cup or less for blood sugar management as eating too much may increase your blood glucose.

But in general, fruits are great sources of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. 

Fruits high in fiber include:

• Apples.
• Bananas.
• Peaches.
• Pears.
• Tangerines.
• Prunes.
• Berries.
• Figs.
• Kiwis.

Low-Fat Dairy

Low-fat dairy products provide protein and calcium without adding saturated fat.

Select low-fat options like 1% skim milk, low-fat yogurt, and reduced-fat cheeses when making dairy choices.

You can also select alternative dairy products, such as oat milk or almond milk, which have several benefits for type 2 diabetes.

Hydrating Beverages

Staying hydrated is important for your overall health and helps maintain a balanced diet while managing diabetes. 

Water should be your primary beverage, but other hydrating beverages, such as coconut water, unsweetened herbal teas, and broths, can also hydrate you without increasing your blood sugar.

What Is Trulicity?

Trulicity (dulaglutide) is an injectable medication medical providers prescribe for managing type 2 diabetes.

It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that mimics a naturally occurring hormone in the digestive system. 

It regulates blood glucose levels by stimulating insulin release when you eat, reducing the amount of glucose the liver produces, and slowing digestion.

Trulicity works in conjunction with a balanced diet and exercise to improve type 2 diabetes management in adults.

It is not intended for treating type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.

Common Side Effects Of Trulicity

Common side effects of Trulicity include:

• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Abdominal pain.
• Decreased appetite.
• Fatigue.
• Indigestion.

Tips For Meal Planning With Trulicity

Here are some tips to help you plan your meals while taking Trulicity.

• Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time. 
• Prep your meals and snacks in advance.
• Schedule consistent meal times and snacks throughout the day. 
• Choose snacks that are high in fiber and protein. 
• Get in the habit of checking food labels. 
• Keep a food journal to track your progress. 
• Consult a registered dietitian specializing in diabetes for personalized guidance tailored to your needs and preferences.

GLP-1 Alternatives

Alternatives to Trulicity include other classes of diabetes medications that have other ways of managing blood sugar. 

• Insulin: Insulin is an injectable medication that mimics the naturally occurring insulin hormone in the body. Some insulins are fast-acting, while others are long-lasting. 
• Metformin: Metformin is a common oral medication for type 2 diabetes that helps improve your body’s sensitivity to insulin and reduces the amount of glucose the liver releases. 
• Meglitinides: These oral medications help your body make more insulin around times when you are eating.
• Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors: These oral pills help slow the rate at which your body absorbs sugar from the food you eat.
• Thiazolidinediones: These medications help your cells use sugar more efficiently.
• DPP-4 Inhibitors: These oral medications help your pancreas (the gland that makes insulin) produce more insulin. 
• SGL2T: These medications help the kidneys remove more sugar from the bloodstream while making urine.

Sometimes, medical providers prescribe a combination of medications to help manage blood sugar.

Trulicity can be taken with other diabetes medications if needed.

Takeaway

Managing type 2 diabetes requires a combination of diet and lifestyle changes and sometimes medications.

Trulicity is an effective treatment due to its ability to regulate blood sugar levels. 

While taking Trulicity, it’s important to avoid or limit foods that may increase blood sugar levels or the risk of heart disease.

Foods to limit include high-sugar foods, highly processed foods, refined carbohydrates, high-sodium foods, and alcohol.

Instead, focus on eating whole grains, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and staying hydrated.

It’s always important to discuss new medications and all medication options with your medical provider for personalized guidance.

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How A Dietitian Can Help

A registered dietitian specializing in diabetes can be crucial in managing your condition.

They are especially helpful when taking medications like Trulicity, as they can give advice tailored to your health needs and goals. 

Several specific ways a dietitian can help include:

• Personalized meal planning that works with Trulicity and your preferences.
• Education on different foods and how they affect your blood sugar levels. 
• Tips for how to incorporate your new knowledge into your everyday food choices.
• Managing side effects from Trulicity by suggesting foods that may help reduce nausea or changes to bowel movements.
• Provide behavioral change strategies for establishing long-term healthy eating habits.
• Monitoring your progress and making necessary changes to your dietary plan.
• Support and motivation to help you stay on track.