Mounjaro is one of the newest medications used to treat type diabetes.
It’s a dual GLP-1 receptor agonist and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).
It’s been proven effective at lowering blood sugar and promoting weight loss, which is why many people are interested in it.
If you’re prescribed Mounjaro, you might be wondering if there’s anything you need to change about your diet.
In this article, we’ll review some potential foods to eat and avoid on Mounjaro to help support your health and minimize potential side effects.
Considerations for your diet with Mounjaro
While there aren’t any specific food-drug interactions for Mounjaro, there are some things you might want to consider regarding your diet.
Blood sugar control
Because Mounjaro is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, it’s a good idea to eat in a way that helps support good blood sugar control.
After all, medications work even better when coupled with the best treatment – a healthy lifestyle.
Many of the suggested foods to eat and avoid on Mounjaro are to help support healthy blood sugar levels.
Side effects
Mounjaro comes with potential side effects, many of which impact your digestive system. Some of Mounjaro’s side effects can be eased by making dietary changes.
The side effects most commonly reported with Mounjaro that your diet can impact include:
- Nausea & vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Constipation
- Indigestion
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Foods to avoid while taking Mounjaro
High-fat foods (for nausea, diarrhea, and indigestion)
Eating high-fat foods can worsen Mounjaro’s side effects, like nausea, diarrhea, and indigestion (heartburn).
Greasy foods are especially problematic for these side effects, so you should avoid them. You might do better with eating foods that contain healthy fat like nuts, avocados, and vegetable oils compared to some of these potential fatty foods to avoid:
- Beef (primarily non-lean cuts with marbled fat or non-lean [20% fat] ground beef)
- Butter
- Cheese (in large amounts – cheese is a good source of protein and can be a part of a balanced and healthy diet)
- Coconut (including coconut oil)
- Fast food (tends to be higher in fat/grease, especially pizza and convenience foods made with high-fat ingredients)
- Ice cream
- Lamb
- Lard and cream
- Non-lean cuts of pork
- Palm oil and palm kernel oil (common ingredients in processed foods)
- Poultry with the skin on
- Processed meats like sausage, hot dogs, and salami
- Some baked and fried foods including ingredients like lard and butter
Foods and drinks high in added sugar
If you’re taking Mounjaro, it’s likely because your blood sugar levels are too high. Eating foods and drinks high in added sugar (sugar not found naturally in the food or drink) is likely to raise your blood sugar more significantly than eating foods with natural sugar (more whole foods).
Processed foods and drinks are the leading sources of added sugars in most people’s diets.
Here are some examples of foods and drinks high in added sugar (*=very high amount of added sugar)
- Soda (both cola and caffeine-free varieties like lemon-lime, grape, etc.)*
- Sweetened iced teas*
- Sweetened coffee drinks*
- Fruit-flavored drinks*
- Energy drinks*
- Desserts and sweets*
- Flavored foods like sweetened cereals, yogurts, nutrition bars, etc.
- Some soups and condiments (sugar is often used to balance the acidity of foods like tomatoes)
These are just a few examples of high-sugar foods and drinks. The best way to spot added sugar in the foods and drinks you consume is to check the nutrition facts label.
There, you’ll see a line for added sugars (or at least the ingredients, where you can spot added sugars).
Aim to keep your added sugar intake below 50 grams per day to start, with an ideal goal of fewer than 30 grams per day, if you can!
Spicy foods (indigestion)
If you’re suffering from indigestion from Mounjaro, you may want to lay off the spicy foods for a while.
Spicy foods can worsen symptoms of indigestion by loosening your esophageal sphincter, the opening at the end of your esophagus.
This allows acidic stomach acid to come back up your esophagus, worsening symptoms of indigestion.
That’s why avoiding foods that trigger heartburn, such as spicy foods, can help ease symptoms.
Refined carbohydrates (for blood sugar control, constipation)
Refined carbohydrates are those which have had the fiber removed during processing, which means they raise blood sugar levels more sharply than whole-grain, unprocessed carbohydrates.
So what are refined carbohydrates? Here are some examples!
- Any grain made with white flour (enriched flour) – this includes bread, tortillas, bagels, most pizza crusts, etc.
- White rice
- Many cold breakfast cereals
- Pastries, muffins, etc.
Foods to eat with Mounjaro
Bland foods (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
If you’re suffering from side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, eating a bland diet can help.
A bland diet is recommended to help your digestive system rest and recover from gastrointestinal-related side effects.
A BRAT diet is the most commonly recommended type of diet when you’re dealing with unpleasant stomach symptoms. A BRAT diet stands for:
- Bananas
- Rice
- Applesauce
- Toast
In general, a bland diet will be low in fiber and fat. Broth-based soups, non-whole-grain crackers, canned fruit, and lean protein like chicken breast are some other examples of bland diet-friendly foods.
High-fiber foods (blood sugar control, aid in constipation relief)
Unless you’re experiencing diarrhea from Mounjaro, high-fiber foods are generally recommended to eat if you have diabetes.
Fiber-rich foods tend to raise blood sugar levels more slowly than refined, low-fiber carbohydrates.
If you’re dealing with constipation from Mounjaro, eating fiber-rich foods can help relieve constipation – just be sure to drink plenty of fluids as you increase your fiber intake!
Some examples of fiber-rich foods include:
- Whole grains (whole wheat bread, brown rice, oats, etc.)
- Fruits and vegetables (preferably with the skins left on; fruits with seeds are particularly high in fiber, like berries)
- Legumes
- Nuts
- Seeds
Lean protein (blood sugar control)
Eating lean (low-fat) protein can be easier on your stomach if you’re dealing with issues like nausea and diarrhea.
Protein can also help promote stable blood sugar levels and is beneficial for weight loss (many people with type 2 diabetes are considered overweight or obese).
Some great sources of lean protein to eat while taking Mounjaro include:
- Eggs
- Fish
- Lean cuts of pork or red meat (extra-lean beef, pork tenderloin, etc.)
- Low-fat dairy products
- Soy (including tofu)
- White meat poultry (skinless)
Low-sugar beverages
Since sugary beverages are among the leading culprits for added sugars, what should you drink while on Mounjaro?
Here are some ideas for low-sugar drinks to enjoy while on Mounjaro:
- Water – try fruit-infused water to add some natural flavor without sugar (sliced lemons, cucumbers, etc. in water)
- Unsweetened or lightly-sweetened teas
- Sugar-free/diet drinks
- Unsweetened or lightly-sweetened coffee
Other things to avoid while taking Mounjaro
Alcohol
While the risk of developing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) from Mounjaro is low, it’s more likely if you consume large amounts of alcohol.
Alcohol can cause low blood sugar when drunk in large amounts, especially if you’re also taking blood sugar-lowering medications like insulin or sulfonylureas along with Mounjaro.
If you choose to drink alcohol on Mounjaro, aim to drink in moderation and watch out for signs of low blood sugar, such as dizziness, sweating, hunger, and a fast heartbeat.
How to take Mounjaro
Mounjaro is a once-weekly injectable medication. You should aim to take it on the same day each week – the time of day doesn’t matter.
Inject Mounjaro into the subcutaneous tissue using the prefilled injector pen. Ideal locations are the abdomen (not close to the belly button) or the back of the thigh.
Don’t inject Mounjaro into a muscle or lean areas of your body.
One pen is enough for one weekly dose, so make sure you use the entire contents of the pen for each weekly injection (unless otherwise instructed by your healthcare provider).
Conclusion
Potential foods to avoid on Mounjaro include high-fat/greasy foods, high-sugar foods and drinks, spicy foods, and refined grains. Large amounts of alcohol should also be avoided on Mounjaro.
Foods to eat on Mounjaro include bland foods (for any GI side effects), fiber-rich foods (for any constipation), lean protein, and low-sugar/sugar-free beverages.
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