Foods to Avoid with Trulicity: Can You Have Caffeine or Alcohol?
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Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a medication often prescribed to help people manage their type 2 diabetes. It’s marketed as a game-changer, and that can be very true: After starting treatment with Trulicity injections, patients often find it far easier to keep their health and symptoms under control.
However, Trulicity, like any medication, isn’t a magic wand. (It’s also not cheap, at about $1,000.00 per month!) To have the best possible experience with Trulicity, it’s a good idea to abide by a strategic diet and lifestyle guidelines whenever possible.
Of course, that isn’t necessarily easy.
And forging your path toward a helpful diet on Trulicity may bring up some questions.
Which foods should you avoid with Trulicity? Can you have caffeine? What about Trulicity and alcohol?
In this helpful guide, we’ll discuss some need-to-know diet information for people taking Trulicity—covering everything from caffeine and alcohol to managing side effects through food.
Trulicity, Your Diet, and You: Foods to Avoid With Trulicity (And More!)
Medication often plays a critical role in successful diabetes 2 management. Food can be instrumental as well—and, if you’re taking a medication like Trulicity, it’s a good idea to know not only what foods may be beneficial for diabetes 2 management but which foods may have interactions with the diabetes meds you take.
The Role of Diet in Trulicity's Effectiveness
While it doesn’t appear that there are any foods that cause specific interactions with Trulicity (like, for example, grapefruit juice does with statins), there are foods that may be less than helpful to eat while you are taking Trulicity.
For example, if you eat foods that produce gastrointestinal symptoms that mirror Trulicity’s side effects while taking the drug, it may be difficult to tell whether your symptoms come from your diet or from Trulicity.
Similarly, if you eat foods that will specifically raise your blood sugar, it may be difficult to tell how well Trulicity is working for you.
General guidelines for foods to avoid while taking Trulicity include:
- Saturated and trans fats
- Sugary foods
- Refined carbohydrates
- Sweetened, carbonated beverages
If you limit your intake of these foods and prioritize a balanced diet, you’ll be well on your way to supporting your use of Trulicity as strategically as possible.
Your Reference List of Foods to Limit or Avoid
Want a more specific list of foods to limit or avoid so you can bookmark it and reference it as you need?
You’re in the right place. Here’s your go-to list of foods to avoid with Trulicity.
Fried foods. These types of foods, from chicken fingers to French fries, can slow down your digestion and metabolism, which can trigger or worsen Trulicity side effects. Choosing baked or grilled alternatives may be a more helpful choice.
Refined grains, such as white bread, bagels, white rice, and flour tortillas. These types of foods can raise your blood sugar very quickly. When you plan to enjoy carbs, see if you can make them whole-grain options that include a good amount of fiber (e.g., brown rice or whole-grain baked goods), and pair them with healthy fats and vegetables to dull any spike in your blood sugar that may occur after your meal.
Added sugars. Sometimes, it’s relatively easy to know that something you’re eating has added sugars—for instance, if you’re eating something sweet.
At other times, identifying added sugars in your spaghetti sauce or almond milk can be very difficult! Yet when you’re managing type 2 diabetes and taking Trulicity, it’s a good idea to reduce your intake of added, even hidden sugars, so you can avoid unintended blood sugar spikes that could make it difficult to see how well Trulicity is working for you.
Some common foods to look out for that tend to include a lot of added sugar include yogurt, dried fruit, whole grain cereals, and nutrition bars. In general, it is a good idea to avoid processed foods.
Sugary drinks. These are a good idea to avoid for similar reasons. When you’re managing type 2 diabetes, it may be wise to reserve high-sugar beverages for special occasions.
These may include soda, sweet coffee drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened teas. (Fortunately, there may be low- or no-sugar versions of these you can consider as a more frequent option.)
If you’re looking at the above list with dismay, wondering what you can safely put on your plate and enjoy while feeling good at the same time, keep reading. We’ve also compiled a list of foods that may be helpful to focus on when you’re taking Trulicity.
Your Reference List of Foods to Enjoy!
Patients who are managing type 2 diabetes and taking Trulicity may benefit from eating:
- Fruits and vegetables, especially high-fiber fruits like berries and leafy greens. These foods are excellent for keeping your blood sugar levels stable.
- Lean proteins, such as plant-based protein, chicken, or fish. This can help you keep your meals both satisfying and balanced.
- Whole grains, which include foods like whole oats, brown rice, and quinoa. These can provide a great base for a meal and are filled with essential nutrients, but they don’t provide the same blood sugar spike as white, refined options.
Give yourself some grace, too. While prioritizing these foods and reducing your intake of sugar and trans fats will be vitally important for your health, it can be difficult and stressful to try and maintain a perfect diet 100% of the time. That stress impacts your health, too!
It may be a helpful mindset to assess where your diet currently is, consider the above lists, and think about a few swaps you could make some of the time, without too much suffering.
Then, after you’ve taken some time to get used to that change, reassess to see if you can continue creating the best possible diet for you!
What About Trulicity and Caffeine?
The above information may have helped you put food on your plate, but what should you put in your mug? (Or thermos, or water bottle?)
Many people who take Trulicity for type 2 diabetes management wonder how much coffee, tea, and alcohol they can drink. We’ll start with coffee: What’s the deal with Trulicity and caffeine?
Caffeine Consumption While on Trulicity
Caffeine consumption matters if you’re taking Trulicity because caffeine can have a difficult-to-determine impact on your blood sugar levels. For some, it increases them; for others, caffeine may not have a big blood sugar effect.
Unless you know precisely how caffeine impacts your body at all times, under every imaginable circumstance, the name of the game is moderation. While you can have caffeine, it may not be a good idea for your body or your stress levels to have several cups of coffee every day.
Keeping your limit to 1-2 cups of coffee (or that equivalent in other caffeinated beverages) is a safe guideline.
Pay attention to the way your body reacts to caffeine, too. If you feel lightheaded, stressed, or feel your heart thumping in your chest after those 1-2 cups, think about switching to half-caff or green tea for a period of time to see if that makes any difference.
What About Alcohol and Trulicity?
As with caffeine, there are few hard-and-fast rules you’ll see about alcohol and Trulicity. That doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea to drink heavily while taking this medication.
Much like overdoing it with coffee, if you don’t strike a good balance with alcohol use, you may impact your blood sugar levels and the benefits you’re seeing by using Trulicity.
Alcohol's Impact on Trulicity
The main thing to be aware of is your blood sugar.
Drinking alcohol, especially if you drink too much of it too quickly, can cause changes in your blood sugar. Depending on what you’re drinking, you could experience uncomfortably high or low blood sugar, which could make you feel sick in the short-term and contribute to poor health outcomes over the long term.
And, since Trulicity’s job is to keep your blood sugar regulated, if you’re drinking alcohol you’ll be actively making Trulicity’s job harder.
Safe Drinking Practices on Trulicity
That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to go sober.
Talk to your doctor about their recommendations for your alcohol use. They’ll be able to help you see how alcohol use meshes with your diabetes management plan.
If you do decide to imbibe, consider aiming for moderation. Moderate drinking typically means up to one drink per day for women, and two drinks per day for men.
It may make sense to implement the following safe drinking practices as well:
- Drink alcohol when you’re also eating food, which can help blunt blood sugar fluctuations (as long as the food you’re eating is balanced and non-sugary).
- Create boundaries to help you stick to the recommended intake limits. It’s very easy to say yes to a second (or third!) drink when you’ve already had your first, so consider telling a friend to keep you accountable, working with specific budgetary limits, or keeping only a certain amount of alcohol available in your home.
- Notice how you’re feeling. As best as you can, keep tabs of your symptoms. If you notice that you’re feeling off after a drink, or if your alcohol tolerance seems very low, just take note of that, and bring up any concerns you may have with your healthcare team.
Navigating Trulicity Side Effects Through Diet
Trulicity, like any drug, does come with the risk of some side effects.
The most common side effect of Trulicity by far is nausea. This should go away after your body gets used to the drug, but if it’s serious enough, it may be a reason to discontinue use of the medication. (Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan.)
Other common side effects of Trulicity may include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
In many cases, pursuing a balanced diet and avoiding some of the aforementioned food groups can help you keep your side effects manageable.
Dietary Adjustments to Minimize Side Effects
In many cases, the following dietary adjustments can help reduce the discomfort of side effects. If your side effects are severe, call your doctor instead of rearranging your diet!
However, if you’re managing expected, temporary discomfort, consider:
- Eating bland foods. Bland foods irritate the stomach less than pungent, highly-flavored dishes. This can reduce nausea and digestive discomfort.
- Eating easy comfort foods that aren’t overly-sugary. Food like natural applesauce, boiled potatoes, brown rice, wheat toast, and bananas can help you get the nutrients you need without overwhelming your stomach.
- Getting enough water! If you’re experiencing gastrointestinal distress, and, particularly, diarrhea, you need to stay hydrated. Water is a clear choice, but tea and broth are good options, too.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
Wondering when it’s time to stop eating dry toast and get on the phone with your physician, instead?
Some level of nausea is expected after starting Trulicity, but it may be time to talk to your doctor if:
- The nausea doesn’t go away after starting the drug
- You experience severe versions of Trulicity’s other side effects
- You try to treat the nausea and discomfort with dietary adjustments or OTC products and it just isn’t working
- You see a marked, sudden change in one of your symptoms
- You’re curious about one of your symptoms
- You feel in your gut that something odd is happening, and you’d like answers
Your doctor is there to help you. If you’re struggling with Trulicity’s side effects, talk to your physician. They may be able to help you with alternate strategies or any necessary changes to your treatment plan.
Save Time, Stress, and Money By Buying Trulicity Through an Online Canadian Pharmacy
If you’re managing type 2 diabetes, you’re already going to be dedicating a lot of time and resources to figuring out a helpful diet and lifestyle. You don’t need to waste time and money on expensive medication—and you definitely don’t need to jump through hoops just to be able to afford your meds.
Yet, since Trulicity can cost over $1,000.00 per month for American patients, finding and affording it can be a true ordeal.
If you’re interested in saving on brand-name Trulicity by purchasing it through an online Canadian drugs website or international drugstore, you’re in the right place. Call our team at 1-866-539-5330 or check out our online pharmacy reviews to learn more about the savings, safety and service we can offer you!
