The Best Foods to Eat with Trulicity

Trulicity is a GLP-1 medication available by prescription. While no foods are contraindicated while taking Trulicity, eating certain foods may work against the blood sugar-lowering benefits of Trulicty and increase side effects. 

This article discusses how Trulicity works, and which foods to eat to help you reach your health goals. 

What Is Trulicity?

Trulicity is a brand-name medication people with type 2 diabetes can take to manage their blood sugar. It belongs to a class of drugs that mimic a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Trulicity can be taken alone to treat type 2 diabetes or along with other medications that also help lower blood sugar.

People taking Trulicity self-inject this medication once a week into their thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. It is designed to work alongside lifestyle and nutritional changes that help to lower blood sugar levels. Trulicity may result in weight loss and lower the risk of cardiovascular events. 

How Trulicity works

Dulaglutide, the main ingredient in Trulicity, works by mimicking the effects of the GLP-1 hormone your body secretes after eating. Glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone (GLP-1) stimulates the pancreas to release insulin to lower blood sugar levels.

Trulicity is a GLP-1 agonist, which means it binds to and activates the GLP-1 receptors. This leads to an increase in insulin secretion, which helps regulate blood sugar levels after meals. 

Trulicity increases feelings of fullness and reduces appetite by slowing down the rate of food leaving the body, potentially resulting in weight loss. 

Foods to Eat While Taking Trulicity

When taking Trulicity, it is important to eat a balanced diet to help keep your blood sugar in a healthy range and decrease the risk of complications.

It may be helpful to work with a registered dietitian from Nourish who can customize an eating plan for your needs. Nourish accepts most insurance plans and provides 100% virtual visits. 

Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are great choices while taking Trulicity. These foods are nutrient-dense and high in fiber, which slows down glucose digestion and can work with Trulicity to help regulate blood sugar levels. 

Non-starchy vegetables are low in carbohydrates but high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These nutrients support your overall health and optimal functioning. 

To figure out a good serving size for non-starchy vegetables, fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables such as green beans, salad, or broccoli. 

Some people with type 2 diabetes may need to limit their fruit serving size. In general, a serving of fruit should be about one cup or the size of your fist. 

Fruits are also great sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but eating too much can sometimes cause blood sugar to rise. A Nourish dietitian can help you determine what is a good amount of fruit for you.

Whole grains

Whole grains are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals and provide a slower release of glucose (sugar) into the bloodstream. This makes them a great food to eat while taking Trulicity.

Whole grains include brown rice, quinoa, millet, wheat berries, whole-grain bread, and oatmeal. These foods are typically unprocessed or have minimal processing and contain important nutrients. This is unlike refined grains, which are typically stripped of most nutrients. 

Protein-rich foods

Foods high in protein are important to eat while taking Trulicity. Protein helps regulate blood sugar and promotes feelings of fullness. Eating protein while taking Trulicity helps enhance Trulicity’s effects on lowering blood sugar and decreasing appetite.

Protein is an important nutrient for people with type 2 diabetes because it does not raise blood sugar levels as much as carbohydrates do. Eating protein-rich foods can help slow down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream and prevent blood sugar spikes after meals.

People who eat protein-rich foods may also feel more full and satisfied, which may result in reduced appetite. This is especially helpful if you are trying to lose or maintain an average weight. 

Examples of protein-rich foods include:

• Poultry.
• Fish.
• Tofu.
• Beans.
• Lentils.
• Eggs.

Choose a variety of protein sources throughout the week to satisfy your nutrient requirements. Save recipes of your favorite dishes so you can make them again in the future. 

Eating a Balanced Diet with Trulicity 

Eating a balanced diet while taking Trulicity has several benefits. It helps maintain your blood sugar in a healthy range, optimizes the effectiveness of the medication, and improves your overall health. 

A balanced diet includes a variety of foods from all food groups:

• Fruits and vegetables.
• Whole grains.
• Lean proteins.
• Healthy fats or dairy products.

Working with a Nourish dietitian, you can develop a personalized nutrition plan that meets your individual needs. Learning to follow a balanced diet can help improve your health outcomes and supports you in the management of type 2 diabetes. 

Side Effects of Trulicity 

Common side effects of Trulicity include:

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

Trulicity has several less common but more severe side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of the following conditions.

• Hypoglycemia: Symptoms may include dizziness, light-headedness, blurred vision, irritability, anxiety, mood changes, slurred speech, sweating, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, or feeling jittery. This is a medical emergency, call 911.
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis): Symptoms may include stomach pain that may radiate to the back with or without vomiting.
• Serious allergic reaction: Symptoms may include swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe itching or rash, rapid heartbeat, feeling dizzy or faint. This is a medical emergency, call 911.
• Gallbladder problems: Symptoms may include upper stomach pain, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stool.
• Kidney problems (kidney failure): Symptoms may include decreased urination, dark urine, swelling in the lower legs.
• Changes in vision: Symptoms may include blurred vision or other changes to vision.

Certain people should not take Trulicity. These include:

• People with a personal or family history of thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
• People with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
• People with an allergy to dulaglutide or any of the other ingredients in Trulicity.
• People who are planning to be pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

See a dietitian specializing in online weight management through Nourish.