Mounjaro diet: what to eat and what to avoid
You might be curious about the best diet to maximise your Mounjaro results, including foods to include and foods to avoid.
You should be mindful of what you consume on your Mounjaro journey to ensure you can lose weight effectively and safely. Certain foods may interfere with the medication.
You may be wondering if you can drink alcohol or soda. We’ll break down some of the food and drinks you should avoid and the ones you should add to your diet to help you achieve the best results
Why diet matters while using Mounjaro
A healthy diet while on Mounjaro can enhance weight loss and overall well-being. Ensure you have a balanced diet, as it will allow you to achieve the best results. A healthy diet on Mounjaro typically consists of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Following a healthy lifestyle and making nutritious food choices not only helps support your weight loss but also helps manage any side effects you might experience from Mounjaro.
Should you eat before or after using Mounjaro?
Mounjaro should be used at the same time every week, before or after eating. It’s a personal choice when you use it. Some people may find their side effects are better if they use Mounjaro before eating–but find out what works for you, and stick to that time.
However, if you struggle with nausea when using Mounjaro, you may find it more beneficial to eat before administering the injection. This will ensure you get the nutrients you need if you have no appetite afterwards.
Foods to avoid while using Mounjaro
Fried foods
Fried foods such as chips, burgers and bacon are high in unhealthy fats and calories, which can hinder weight loss. Consuming these foods can also increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, chronic inflammation and insulin resistance.
They also contain a lot of grease, which can worsen the side effects of Mounjaro, particularly indigestion, bloating and abdominal pain. Ditch the olive oil for a low-calorie spray or healthier cooking method.
Is air-fried food healthy?
Using an air fryer is a healthier cooking method than deep frying. It can reduce calories by up to 80%. [1]
Air-fried foods also have a lower fat content than deep-fried foods. Using an air fryer requires a lot less oil. It heats the food in hot air, which contains fine oil droplets, allowing you to reduce the fat content of your food.
However, if the food you plan to eat is already high in fat or calories, you should reconsider your choice, as even if you air-fry it, it will not be healthy.
Sugary foods and drinks
When using Mounjaro, you should avoid meals and beverages high in sugar. Foods like sweets, chocolate, fizzy drinks and baked goods contain added sugar. These foods can make it more difficult to manage your blood sugar levels and increase insulin resistance, lowering the effectiveness of the medication.
Sugary foods and drinks are also high in calories and typically lack nutritional value.
Are artificial sweeteners safe while using Mounjaro?
You should avoid artificial sweeteners while using Mounjaro, as they might worsen the side effects, particularly the digestive issues associated with it, such as bloating, gas and diarrhoea.
Artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame and saccharin can disrupt how your body absorbs sugar and produces insulin. They can also worsen insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes.
Mounjaro and diet soda
Diet soda or diet fizzy drinks might seem like the ideal option for your weight loss journey. However, they can make you feel bloated and increase stomach pain, which are also side effects of Mounjaro.
So, to prevent the side effects from worsening, you should avoid fizzy drinks, even if they’re sugar-free.
Although diet soda doesn’t contain any sugar and is typically low in calories, it does contain artificial sweeteners, which are not recommended if you’re on Mounjaro.
Instead of carbonated drinks, opt for water or unsweetened tea to stay hydrated.
Processed foods
Processed foods are generally low in nutritional value and high in sugars, fats and artificial ingredients. The artificial ingredients in processed foods can trigger digestive issues such as bloating and gas.
Avoid processed foods such as cereal, crisps, biscuits and microwave meals. Even after eating them, they might leave you feeling hungry!
Refined carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates are foods that have been stripped of all their nutrients. They include white bread, pizza and pasta. They’re high in calories, sugar and fats.
Your body quickly converts them into glucose, causing your blood sugar to spike. This can be particularly dangerous for people with diabetes. It can also stop Mounjaro from working effectively as it can interfere with the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
Refined carbohydrates can also cause a crash, leading you to experience hunger and food cravings.
Common foods that trigger Mounjaro side effects
Some foods that you should avoid on Mounjaro to prevent side effects from being triggered include:
- Spicy food
- Greasy food
- Fried foods
- Refined carbohydrates
- Fizzy drinks
- Alcohol
How alcohol impacts your Mounjaro weight loss journey
Alcoholic drinks can contribute to weight gain as they are high in calories. They should be avoided on your Mounjaro treatment plan. Drinking alcohol can also cause dehydration and make it difficult for you to sleep, hindering your weight loss progress and interfering with the way Mounjaro works.
Drinking alcohol whilst using Mounjaro can also put you at risk of developing other medical conditions or life-threatening illnesses.
As alcohol can lower your blood sugar levels, this can become dangerous, and you could be putting yourself at risk of hypoglycemia. If you have diabetes, then it’s even more important to be mindful of consuming alcohol.
You should ensure you’re monitoring your blood glucose levels to monitor the risk of low blood sugar.
The best foods and drinks to include in your Mounjaro diet
Lean proteins
Adding lean proteins to your diet will help support your weight loss journey alongside Mounjaro. Protein sources include chicken, fish and tofu.
Ensuring you’re getting plenty of lean protein will help you remain fuller for longer and minimise the chance of snacking or cravings.
You should include lean proteins as part of a healthy and balanced diet.
High-fibre foods
High-fibre foods such as quinoa, brown rice and wholemeal bread help you feel fuller for longer. They can also help regulate your blood sugar, assisting with weight loss.
Adding wholemeal foods to your diet is a brilliant way to get the best results from your Mounjaro journey. Simple swaps, like switching your white foods to wholemeal foods, can help you include more fibre in your diet.
Healthy fats
Healthy fats are unsaturated fats. They can help with weight management and should be included in your Mounjaro diet plan to ensure a balanced diet. They can also help improve cholesterol and inflammation levels and lower the risk of heart disease.
The best healthy fats for weight loss include avocados, sesame oils, peanuts, eggs and oily fish.
Staying hydrated
Staying hydrated is essential when using Mounjaro, especially if you experience side effects such as vomiting and diarrhoea. Keeping yourself hydrated prevents dehydration.
You should drink 2-3 litres of water daily. Hydration can help aid digestion and create a feeling of fullness, preventing overeating.
Water, herbal teas and electrolyte drinks are good choices to keep you hydrated.
Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet when using Mounjaro is crucial to seeing optimum results. You should monitor your diet and incorporate exercise into your life while trying to achieve your weight loss goals.
You must be mindful of the foods you consume when using Mounjaro. Try keeping a journal or tracking what you eat along the way.
Although cutting some of your favourite food groups out or reducing your alcohol intake might make you feel like you are missing out, these changes are essential to achieving your final results.
Related Blog Posts
