Here’s What Happens if You Eat Too Much Sugar on Ozempic
Donuts
Ozempic may have become synonymous with weight loss, but it’s important to know that the drug has officially only been approved to help with the management of type 2 diabetes. (The same pharmaceutical company that makes Ozempic makes a similar drug called Wegovy that has been approved for weight loss.)
For people who have Type 2 diabetes or are at risk for developing it, Ozempic can be a game-changer in terms of their health. But having a prescription for the drug is no substitute for being mindful about how much sugar you’re consuming. In fact, consuming too much sugar while taking Ozempic can endanger your health.
Related: The Unexpected Health Benefit of Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic That No One's Talking About
How Do Drugs Like Ozempic Help With Type 2 Diabetes Management?
Dr. Dina Peralta-Reich, MD, FAAP, FOMA, a double-board certified obesity medicine and pediatrics doctor at New York Weight Wellness Management, explains that Ozempic, also known as semaglutide, has been on the market for more than 10 years. She explains that it’s an incretin. Incretins are metabolic hormones that stimulate a decrease in blood glucose levels.
“Medications like Ozempic and their counterparts work by playing a crucial role in regulating glucose metabolism, combating insulin resistance and slowing down the process of gastric emptying. Additionally, they interact with the hormones leptin and ghrelin, which are responsible for controlling hunger,” Dr. Peralta-Reich explains. For this reason, she says it’s an effective medication for managing diabetes as well as excess weight and obesity.
Related: How Much Weight Can You Expect To Lose On Ozempic?
What Happens When People Taking Ozempic Consume Too Much Sugar
Even though Ozempic can help with diabetes and weight loss, Dr. Peralta-Reich emphasizes that people taking it still need to maintain a healthy diet. She says that if someone taking Ozempic has a diet high in ultra-processed foods, they are very likely not going to feel well at all. “This medication slows down gastric emptying and the dense food will move much slower through your intestines, which can make you feel sick [and experience] nausea, vomiting, reflux and abdominal pain. Someone may not see the results they're looking for either,” she explains.
People with diabetes need to be especially mindful about their sugar intake—something that Dr. Peralta-Reich says is still crucial if they are taking Ozempic or a similar medication. “It is important to maintain a balanced diet and avoid consuming highly caloric and sugary drinks and food. If you are taking medication to lower your sugar levels, it is advisable to avoid excess sugar consumption. Failure to watch what you eat and keep your sugar levels elevated may prevent you from seeing the intended results of the medication,” she shares.
Related: What Happens When You Stop Taking Ozempic?
What exactly is “too much” sugar? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say it’s important to limit consumption of added sugar to less than 10% of total calories consumed. That means that if someone consumes 2,000 calories a day, added sugars could account for 200 calories or less. This advice applies to everyone, including people with diabetes.
If someone consumes more added sugar than this while taking Ozempic, Dr. Peralta-Reich says that they will not experience the full benefits of the medication. “The medication may lower your blood sugar levels to some extent. However, if you continue to consume high-sugar foods regularly, you are putting yourself at risk of still developing pre-diabetes [or type 2 diabetes]. The point of the medication is to adjust your lifestyle and diet to work properly,” she explains.
Does this mean that being on Ozempic means never enjoying a sugary treat? Not at all! “It's important to avoid restricting yourself while on a weight loss journey. Moderation is key, and people should enjoy the food they love without overindulging,” says Dr. Peralta-Reich.
What’s most important to remember is that Ozempic is meant to support a healthy diet and lifestyle; not take the place of it. Unfortunately, there is no shortcut to living a healthy life. Ozempic can help lower blood sugar levels, but it can only do so much on its own. You have more power over your health than any one drug.
Next up, get tips on how to follow a no-sugar diet straight from nutritionists.
Sources
Dr. Dina Peralta-Reich, MD, FAAP, FOMA, double-board certified obesity medicine and pediatrics doctor at New York Weight Wellness Management
Semaglutide (Ozempic) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: Overview. InformedHealth.
Incretin hormones: Their role in health and disease. Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism. 2018.
Get the Facts: Added Sugars. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sugars and type 2 diabetes. Action on Sugar.
