Foods to Avoid with Trulicity: Best Diet Tips for Blood Sugar

Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Published on: 23 Sep 2025

If you're using Trulicity (dulaglutide) to manage your type 2 diabetes, you're already on the path to better blood sugar control. But medication is only one part of the equation. Your diet plays a critical role, too. While Trulicity helps regulate your blood sugar levels and supports weight loss, did you know that certain foods can actually work against the benefits of Trulicity?

In this post, we’ll walk you through top foods to avoid (and why) while on Trulicity, how they affect your medication and offer simple swaps to help you support your treatment.

Why Diet Matters on Trulicity?

Trulicity works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 that helps your body regulate blood sugar levels by slowing digestion, increasing insulin secretion, and reducing appetite. Because it slows gastric emptying, certain foods can cause more pronounced digestive side effects when you're on Trulicity. Besides, its effectiveness can be reduced if your diet includes foods that spike your blood sugar or irritate your digestive system.

Some foods may also worsen common side effects of Trulicity, like nausea or bloating. That’s why it is important to be mindful of your diet with Trulicity.

Top Foods to Avoid with Trulicity

Sugary Foods and Drinks

Refined sugars can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar, counteracting Trulicity’s positive effects. Plus, sugar may worsen nausea, which is a common side effect when starting Trulicity. They may also increase cravings, defeating Trulicity’s appetite-suppressing effects.

What to Avoid:

Candy, cakes, pastries, doughnuts

Sugary drinks (soda, sweetened iced tea)

Flavored yogurts with added sugar

Sugary cereals

Try This Instead:

Fresh fruits (in moderation)

Greek yogurt (plain or with a touch of honey)

Whole grain cereals with no added sugar

Highly Processed Carbohydrates

Refined carbs break down quickly into sugar and can lead to spikes and crashes in blood glucose levels. Over time, this can contribute to insulin resistance. This is exactly what Trulicity aims to stabilize.

What to Avoid:

White bread, white rice

Regular pasta

Packaged snacks like chips and crackers.

Try This Instead:

Whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat pasta

Legumes like lentils and black beans

Fried and Greasy Foods

Fatty foods are harder to digest, especially when Trulicity is slowing your stomach’s emptying process. These foods can trigger or worsen gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, indigestion, and bloating.

What to Avoid:

Fried chicken, French fries

Burgers with high-fat toppings

Fast food meals

Try This Instead:

High fiber veggies like spinach, broccoli, and carrots

Grilled lean proteins (chicken, tofu, fish, eggs)

Homemade oven-baked fries

Healthy fats from nuts, seeds, and olive oil

Carbonated and Sugary Beverages

Sodas and fizzy drinks are double trouble. They’re full of sugar and the carbonation can worsen bloating and gas; two common issues on Trulicity.

What to Avoid:

Regular soda

Energy drinks

Sparkling juices

Try This Instead:

Simple water

Plain water with lemon or cucumber

Herbal teas

Unsweetened almond or oat milk

High-Sugar “Healthy” Foods

Though marketed as healthy, these foods often contain hidden sugars that can raise blood sugar levels unexpectedly.

What to Avoid:

Granola bars

Flavored yogurts

Packaged fruit juices

Flavored oatmeal packets

Try This Instead:

Raw nuts or homemade trail mix

Plain Greek yogurt with fresh berries

Whole fruit or infused water

Unsweetened oatmeal with cinnamon and nuts

Veggie sticks with hummus

Alcohol

Alcohol may interfere with blood sugar control, dehydrate you and irritate your digestive system. It may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), especially when taken with diabetes medications like Trulicity.

Avoid or Limit:

Beer, sugary cocktails, and mixed drinks

Drinking on an empty stomach

If You Drink, Try This Instead:

Dry wine or spirits in moderation with food

Important Note: Always consult your doctor before drinking alcohol on Trulicity

Also Read: 7 Easy Snack Ideas for People with Type 2 Diabetes

Bonus Tips for Success with Trulicity

Watch Your Portion Sizes: Even healthy foods can spike blood sugar if eaten in large quantities. Trulicity helps reduce appetite, so listen to your body’s cues and eat smaller, more frequent meals to stay balanced.

Stay Hydrated: Trulicity can sometimes lead to mild dehydration. Drink at least 8–10 glasses (about 2–2.5 liters) of water daily to stay properly hydrated, especially if you're experiencing nausea or a reduced appetite.

Move Your Body: Ensure to keep yourself active. Try light exercise like yoga, walking, or jogging to support blood sugar control.

Track Your Meals and Symptoms: Keep track of what you eat and how you feel. Noticing patterns and improvements can help you better manage side effects, optimize your diet, and get the most out of your Trulicity journey.

Do Not Skip Meals: Skipping meals while on Trulicity might seem tempting, especially with a reduced appetite. But it can actually mess with your blood sugar. Instead, focus on balanced, consistent meals throughout the day.

When to Talk to Your Doctor?

Everyone responds to Trulicity differently. If you’re experiencing severe nausea, vomiting, or trouble eating, you must not ignore it. Talk to your healthcare provider about it. They may adjust your dosage or suggest specific dietary changes to help you tolerate the medication better.

The Bottom Line

Trulicity is a powerful support in managing type 2 diabetes, but your food choices matter too. Think of your diet as a partner to your medication; not a replacement, but a key part of the journey.

Pairing Trulicity with the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones can go a long way in helping you feel your best and stay on track. By avoiding high-sugar, greasy, and processed foods, you’ll support smoother blood sugar control and reduce unwanted side effects.

As always, talk to your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before making big dietary changes, especially if you’re dealing with side effects or other health conditions.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before making changes to your diet or health routine. Individual results may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What foods not to eat with Trulicity?

Avoid high-sugar, fried, greasy, refined carbs, carbonated drinks, and limit alcohol.

Q2: Can you eat eggs on Trulicity?

Yes, eggs are a healthy protein choice and don’t spike blood sugar.

Q3: Does Trulicity stop food cravings?

Trulicity helps reduce appetite by slowing digestion and acting on hormones that control hunger. Many people notice fewer cravings, especially for high-calorie or sugary foods. However, cravings may not disappear completely and can vary from person to person.

Q4: Can you eat oatmeal on Trulicity?

Yes, but choose wisely. Plain, unsweetened oatmeal or steel-cut oats are a healthy choice, as they provide fiber and release glucose slowly. Avoid flavored instant oatmeal packets that contain added sugars, which can spike blood sugar and worsen side effects.

Q5: What is the most common side effect of Trulicity?

The most common side effect is nausea, especially when starting treatment or increasing the dose. Other frequent side effects include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. These usually improve over time as your body adjusts.

References:

Stoops, Meghan, RD. “8 Foods to Avoid with Trulicity.” ZayaCare, 20 Dec. 2023, zayacare.com/blog/foods-to-avoid-with-trulicity/. https://zayacare.com/blog/foods-to-avoid-with-trulicity/

Trulicity and Diet: What Foods Should You Avoid?” Drugs.com, medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD, 15 Oct. 2024, https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/trulicity-diet-what-foods-you-avoid-3578237/