If you’re here then you must be a diabetic and looking at what to eat and what foods to avoid with Trulicity. Well, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Trulicity to treat Type 2 Diabetes in 2014. Moreover, it can also aid people with obesity and overweight.
Without further ado, let’s delve into Trulicity, its uses, its common side effects, and what foods to avoid with Trulicity. Moreover, we will also look into its Trulicity drug interactions.
What is Trulicity?
Trulicity is an injectable diabetes medicine. It is used to address Type 2 Diabetes by aiding in controlling blood sugar levels.
Along with Trulicity, exercise, and diet are properly administered to improve blood sugar levels in adults. However, this medicine is not used to treat Type 1 Diabetes.
The medicine is also used to reduce the risk of serious cardiac issues including stroke or heart attack in people who have Type 2 Diabetes or heart disease.
Trulicity is usually injected under the skin and used every day at the same time. However, one should follow the dosage instructions as given by the doctor.
How Trulicity Works?
Trulicity has dulaglutide which belongs to the class of medicines known as incretin mimetics.
It is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone, that helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
Trulicity mimics the action of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). It works by binding to GLP-1 receptors stimulating insulin secretion and lowering glucagon secretion from the liver. This stops the body from releasing sugar into the bloodstream. It also slows down the digestion.
These actions aid in controlling and maintaining blood glucose levels in Type 2 Diabetes patients.
RELATED: 10 Tips to Manage Diabetes Effectively
7 Commonly Used Foods to Avoid with Trulicity
Well, you don’t have to worry about that you’ve to give up on your favorite foods because no beverages or foods are known to interact with Trulicity.
However, some recommendations can aid in lessening the side effects that you may have while using Trulicity.
Additionally, Dulaglutide works to lower blood glucose levels, so you might want to drink or eat fewer foods or beverages that may restrict it from performing its best in the body the commonly used foods to avoid with Trulicity are as follows:
1. Refined Grains
Refined grains are one of those foods that cause a spike in blood sugar levels and make it hard to control diabetes with dulaglutide.
They go through a process known as milling which removes many of the nutrients from the grains that your body primarily needs such as iron, B vitamins, and fiber.
Trulicity works to lower blood glucose levels, but consuming simple and refined carbohydrates such as white bread, white flour, corn grits, white rice, etc can make it harder for Trulicity to perform its task.
Therefore, instead of consuming refined carbs and grains, one should rely on healthier options and low-carb foods including, quinoa, brown rice, whole grain breads, sweet potatoes, whole grain cereals, etc.
2. High Saturated and Trans Fat Foods
Foods rich in saturated fats sit in the stomach and delay the digestion process. Fast foods, milkshakes, ice creams, etc are enriched with saturated fats which makes digestion difficult and slow.
If you use GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Trulicity with high saturated or trans fat foods, then you are more likely to experience symptoms of slow stomach emptying. The symptoms include vomiting, bloating, nausea, stomach cramping, other gastrointestinal issues, etc.
Hence, if you’re on Trulicity, then go for healthy fats to minimize digestion issues.
3. Greasy and Fried foods
Greasy and fried foods have trans fats and saturated fats which can worsen the existing condition. They can cause indigestion, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, etc when come in contact with Trulicity.
Consumption of fried and greasy foods can also increase the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, coronary artery disease, and other cardiovascular diseases.
On the other hand, fried foods are even more harmful if eaten out because restaurants and food spots reuse the frying oil and add more sodium to their foods.
Hence, to avoid any side effects of Trulicity, rely on healthier food options at home. You can opt for roasting, steaming, or boiling. Moreover, instead of using other oils for cooking, you should use plant-based oils like olive oil.
4. Sweet and Carbonated Drinks
Carbonated drinks and sugary foods can spike the blood sugar levels. Consuming sweet and sugary foods can counteract the effects of Trulicity.
Beverages such as sweet tea, fruit juice drinks, soda pop, cold drinks, etc have way too much sugar in them. They are a surefire way to not get your blood glucose under control.
Additionally, the carbon dioxide in carbonated drinks such as beer, soda, etc can increase the stomach’s gas and fluid retention which can cause abdominal discomfort and bloating.
Sugary foods and drinks can also cause poor concentration, cavities, and increased risk of cancer.
One of the best alternatives to sugary foods and drinks is water. And if you want to have something sweet, then you can get flavor enhancers or consume flavored water.
5. Alcohol
Alcohol can lower blood glucose levels, whether it is wine, beer, or hard liquor.
As per the American Diabetes Association, when you consume alcohol, the liver chooses to metabolize the alcohol over maintaining the blood sugar and this can cause hypoglycemia.
As Trulicity functions to reduce blood glucose levels, consuming alcohol while taking Trulicity can also lower blood glucose levels even more. This can lead to hypoglycemia and symptoms such as drowsiness, dizziness, or fainting.
Consuming alcohol while using Trulicity can also increase the risk of pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas). Moreover, alcohol alone can also cause pancreatitis. Hence, if you’re using Trulicity and drinking alcohol, then the risk of pancreatitis can be increased.
To avoid this mentioned situation, it is better to stop drinking. However, if you still want, then you can drink it in moderation. One drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men.
6. High Sodium Foods
Trulicity is also recommended for people with cardiovascular disease or who have a risk of developing any heart condition.
Eating foods with high sodium can further raise the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Moreover, the fried foods that we eat in restaurants, etc also have high amounts of sodium; therefore, avoid eating fried and greasy foods from outside as well.
7. Processed foods
Highly processed foods including crackers, chips, and frozen entrees, have high amounts of added sugars, fat, and salt that can negatively impact glycemic control.
Moreover, fatty and processed red meats including sausage, bacon, steak, burgers, etc can also have a negative impact. Processed baked goods such as pies, cakes, doughnuts, and cookies can also impact glycemic control.
RELATED: Essential Things You Need To Know About Diabetes
Common Side Effects of Trulicity
If you’re using Trulicity or about to use it, then you should know about its side effects. Moreover, there are ways of making side effects more bearable.
Some of the common side effects of Trulicity are as follows:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Fatigue
- Abdominal Pain
- Decreased Appetite
There are some severe side effects of Trulicity which are as follows:
- Severe gastrointestinal disease
- Risk of thyroid c-cell tumors (thyroid cancer)
- Hypoglycemia
- Pancreatitis
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Acute kidney injury
- Acute gallbladder disease
- Diabetic retinopathy complications
- Severe allergic reactions
Moreover, if you have a personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) or medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), then you should not use Trulicity.
Tips to Avoid Side Effects of Trulicity
Anyhow, if you want to avoid its side effects, then you should follow the tips and tricks:
- Eat small meals
- Stop eating when your stomach feels full
- Split your 3 daily meals into 4 or more meals
- Eat bland foods such as crackers, toast, rice, etc
- Avoid fatty foods and fat
You can also watch this video by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Atiq Ur Rehman who is a diabetologist which he talks about the foods to avoid and consume if you’re a diabetic.
You can also book an appointment with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Atiq Ur Rehman via Marham. pk.
Trulicity with Other Diabetes Drugs
Trulicity is a non-insulin prescription. Due to that, it can be utilized with insulin.
However, the healthcare provider needs to keep a close look at the blood glucose levels to guarantee that you don’t lead to hypoglycemia.
Moreover, dulaglutide can be used with Type 2 Diabetes drug metformin. Nevertheless, other GLP-1 drugs such as Byette, Victoza, and Ozempic should not be used in combination with Trulicity.
Drug Interactions of Trulicity
Currently, there are 2 drugs that interact with Trulicity.
- Oral medications: Tell your doctor if you’re using any other medicines, vitamins, supplements, or drugs. This is because these oral medications can get absorbed into the body at a reduced level while using Turlicity.
- Insulin Secretagogue: If you take Turlicity with an insulin secretagogue or insulin, then there might be an increased risk of hypoglycemia.
Trulicity Alternatives
Some people may stop taking Trulicity because of its side effects.
If you’re facing too many side effects from Trulicity, then ask your doctor about the alternatives.
Many GLP-1 medications can be used instead of Trulicity such as:
- Ozempic (semaglutide)
- Victoza (liraglutide)
- Byetta (exenatide)
- Bydureon Bcise (exenatide)
-
Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
Ozempic, Bydureon Bcise and Mounjaro are all once-weekly injections similar to Trulicity. However, Victoza is used daily and Byetta is recommended twice daily.
All of the Trulicity alternatives are effective at managing blood glucose levels.
However, you should consult the best diabetologist in Pakistan via Marham.pk if you want to shift from Trulicity.
Final Words
Trulicity is an injectable diabetes medicine used to treat Type 2 Diabetes. The good news is that you don’t have to particularly avoid or stop consuming any food. However, you have to take care while consuming certain foods and beverages.
If you have any queries or want to lose weight and have a diet plan specifically restricted to diabetes, then you can consult the best nutritionist in Pakistan via Marham.pk.
You can also book an appointment with any doctor in Pakistan by calling us at 03111222398 or by downloading Marham’s application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the best foods to eat on Trulicity?
- Sweet Potatoes
- Salmon
- Nuts
- Tomatoes
- Green Leafy Vegetables
2. Is Trulicity hard on kidneys?
If someone experiences severe nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting from Trulicity usage, then these side effects can cause dehydration which can cause kidney damage or other kidney problems.