As we know, when undergoing any weight loss treatment, it’s always best to have a healthy diet and lifestyle to boost treatment and get the full effect. But each treatment has slightly different effects on the body and metabolism, meaning sometimes the average “healthy diet” doesn’t always work the best. There are certain foods and drinks that you should be avoiding whilst taking Mounjaro for weight loss.
If you’re new to Mounjaro, you may need guidance on what you should or shouldn’t consume – thankfully, we’re here to help!
When we think of a healthy diet, we think of the healthy eating plate which consists of the following:
- Fruit and vegetables
- Carbohydrates
- Protein
- Sugar
- Dairy
But not all of these food types will work alongside your Mounjaro treatment.
What foods should I avoid whilst on Mounjaro?
You should try to avoid the following foods:
- Sugary foods
- Fried foods
- Refined carbohydrates
- Fizzy drinks
- Alcohol
How do sugary foods affect your Mounjaro treatment?
Mounjaro works to lower your blood sugar levels by increasing the amount of insulin released from the pancreas. So, by overeating sugar, you can slow down the effects that help you lose weight.
It‘s a good idea to get your daily sugar intake from fruit and cut down on all other sugar sources – for example, if you drink tea or coffee with sugar, switch to sweeteners. Also, remember that some fruits are incredibly high in sugar, so it’s probably best to steer clear of fruits like grapes, cherries and mangoes, and opt for strawberries, raspberries and watermelon.
How much sugar should I consume in a day while taking Mounjaro?
There isn’t a specified amount of sugar you should be eating per day while taking Mounjaro. It’s a good idea to check the labels for sugar content and try to keep it to a minimum. Adults should have no more than 30g of sugar in a day, so by keeping an eye on labels you avoid the risk of overdoing it!
How do fried foods affect the use of Mounjaro for weight loss, and is air-fried food healthy?
We suggest avoiding frying foods in oils, as oils are a concentrated source of energy and therefore can cause weight gain. Instead, you can fry your food in an air fryer. Using an air fryer is a lot healthier than using cooking oil as it decreases the amount of calories in your food by 70-80%. But if the food that you’re frying is already high in calories, then it’s also probably worth reevaluating what you should eat for dinner.
Refined carbohydrates and their effect on treatment
High-carb foods such as white bread, pasta and rice are known to cause a surge in blood sugar levels, and as explained earlier this slows down your Mounjaro injection’s effects on the body. By swapping out bread, pasta and rice for other types of healthy carbs such as oats, grains and potatoes (especially sweet potatoes), you should be able to help your treatment plan.
Can I still drink fizzy drinks and alcohol?
The effects of fizzy drinks while taking Mounjaro
Fizzy drinks tend to contain a lot of sugar. There’s a rumour that fizzy drinks can help ease the stomach when coping with the side effects of Mounjaro, however, this is false. It can cause you to bloat and have other abdominal issues. Whether you’re taking Mounjaro or not, it’s always a good idea to cut down on fizzy drinks and increase water intake.
How does alcohol affect Mounjaro’s weight loss effectiveness?
There aren’t any proven direct effects of alcohol on Mounjaro, but it does heighten some side effects such as nausea and vomiting. Not only this but it also increases your chances of complications such as pancreatitis, kidney damage and lowered blood sugar levels (you don’t want this with a drug that is already made to lower blood sugar).
Alcohol also contains a lot of hidden calories, which will make it harder to lose weight. It’s advised that you don’t drink too much alcohol while on your treatment plan, but if you do decide to drink, you should opt for lower-calorie alcoholic drinks such as:
- Vodka
- Whiskey
- Gin
- Tequila
Spirits tend to have a lot fewer calories, whereas ciders and cocktails are packed with sugar and other additives.
Should I eat before or after taking Mounjaro?
In reality, this is a personal choice, and if you find eating either before or after to be more useful – stick to that!
It doesn’t matter if you take Mounjaro before or after eating, as long as it’s taken at the same time and day every time you inject.
You may experiment with meal times and find that your side effects are lowered if you eat before injecting. However, if you experience nausea from taking Mounjaro, you may want to eat before you inject to get the vital nutrients you need for the day, just in case you don’t feel like eating afterwards.
If you’re exercising while taking Mounjaro as advised, your meal times may change and work around your fitness schedule. This is completely fine and you may find that after some experimenting with meal times, you’ll find the perfect time frame between eating and injecting. You could also inject your Mounjaro treatment before going to bed, which should hopefully lessen nausea after injecting – or you will sleep through it.
