What Foods to Avoid with Trulicity® (dulaglutide)

There are no food-medication interactions to worry about with Trulicity®—a GLP-1 medication prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes, or for those with obesity or overweight. The active ingredients in Trulicity® will continue to work no matter what you’ve eaten prior to (or after) injecting your dose. 

While there are no foods to avoid with Trulicity®, there are a few guidelines to be aware of in regard to food when taking it that will help you minimize side effects and maximize your results. Read on to learn more. 

How does Trulicity® work?

Trulicity® is an FDA-approved glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1 )medication that effectively regulates blood glucose levels in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, and can also help people with obesity or overweight improve their metabolic health. Trulicity® is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company.

Like other GLP-1 drugs, Trulicity® works by mimicking the natural incretin hormones that your body produces. 

Incretin hormones signal to the brain, endocrine, and gastrointestinal systems that food has been consumed. This results in a complex cascade of hormones and neurotransmitters which effectively communicate feelings of satiety (feeling full) and slow down the rate at which food leaves your stomach.

In addition, GLP-1 medications can improve blood sugar levels in people living with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes. As explained on the brand’s website, Trulicity® “helps your pancreas release insulin in response to high levels of sugar in your blood after you eat” and “can limit how much sugar gets into your blood from your liver.”

Like other GLP-1s—such as Saxenda®, Wegovy®, and Rybelsus®—Trulicity® is a medication that makes it easier to lose weight and stick to healthy habits. However,  you won’t maximize weight loss with Trulicity® alone: It must be used in combination with other tactics to support metabolic health and avoid weight regain. These tactics may include modifications to what you eat, how and when you exercise, and other healthy lifestyle changes. 

Calibrate’s Metabolic Reset combines GLP-1 medication with evidence-based lifestyle recommendations to help participants maximize their success with Trulicity®. They’re called the Four Pillars of Metabolic Health, and they include: 

• Food
• Sleep
• Exercise
• Emotional Health

By learning to eat more whole foods and fewer fast-digesting carbohydrates, improving sleep quality, participating in at least 150 minutes of exercise, and managing stressors, you’re setting up both your mind and body for real results. With this foundation in place, Trulicity® can work even more effectively to reduce high blood sugar and help you lose weight. 

Can I take Trulicity® with metformin or other diabetes medications?

Metformin and Trulicity® (dulaglutide) are safe to take together and are often prescribed together for type 2 diabetes and weight management.

Trulicity® is not indicated for use in patients with type 1 diabetes. Don’t take Trulicity® if you have a history of severe allergic reactions to dulaglutide.

Talk to your Calibrate doctor if you have any questions or concerns about taking Trulicity® with other prescription drugs, supplements, or over-the-counter medications. Your Calibrate doctor will be informed of your complete medical history, including any other medical conditions, before you begin your Metabolic Reset.

Should I make changes to my diet while taking Trulicity®?

Trulicity® works best when you can commit to making small but meaningful changes to your day-to-day lifestyle. This includes modifying what you eat and, in particular, swapping out fast-digesting carbohydrates for foods that provide a more sustainable energy source (such as foods rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats).

The food program at Calibrate creates a healthy, sustainable way of eating that promotes weight loss and sets you up for long-term health. Calibrate does this by focusing on the quality of foods and making sure your body is getting the building blocks it needs while helping you to feel in control.

Importantly, the Calibrate food program is not a diet: We do not use meal replacements or meal plans. We don’t try to restrict your eating. Instead, we help you rebalance it.

Calibrate’s food philosophy will help you achieve the following outcomes:

1. Limit disease-promoting foods: eating fewer fast-digesting carbs (which you’ll often find in processed foods). 
2. Increase health-promoting foods: eating more quality foods in the right proportions.
3. Develop an overall healthy relationship with food.  

Making changes to what you eat doesn’t have to happen overnight. You can start with smaller swaps, like replacing fruit juice with seltzer, white bread with whole grain bread, or sugary cereals for a homemade frittata.

In addition, consider cutting back on how often you drink alcohol—doing so will allow your body to function at its best, and you’ll notice positive effects like better sleep and less fatigue during the day.

Are there foods to avoid with Trulicity® to minimize side effects?

Most people taking Trulicity® experience few side effects. However, the most common side effects are mild and tend to improve with time. 

The most common side effects of Trulicity® are nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort or abdominal pain. Other side effects may include:

• Vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Indigestion
• Fatigue

If you’re worried about hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), rest assured that GLP-1 medications pose a relatively small risk.

As one 2015 study evaluating Trulicity® concluded, “The long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists improve glycemic control and help to promote weight loss. Furthermore, based on their glucose-dependent mechanism of action, the GLP-1 receptor agonists have a low risk for hypoglycemia.”

If you have severe abdominal pain or other serious side effects while taking Trulicity® (which is very uncommon), contact your Calibrate doctor or a healthcare provider right away.

Tips for managing Trulicity® side effects

Here’s where a few food guidelines come into play: If you’re experiencing digestive discomfort while taking Trulicity®, some simple swaps in what you eat can help prevent or at least lessen these side effects. Here’s what the Calibrate medical team recommends:

• Avoid fried or fatty foods and foods high in sugar: These tend to be the toughest for your body to digest and the most likely to cause nausea while taking a GLP-1 medication. 
• Eat slowly, and eat smaller meals. 
• Eat foods that are light and bland. 
• Drink clear or ice-cold drinks (like water or unsweetened tea).

Talk to your Calibrate doctor about any side effects that become bothersome or that don’t go away. Your Calibrate Medical Team can offer recommendations and supportive care for any issues that arise. If you experience any severe side effects, such as anaphylaxis or shortness of breath, seek immediate medical advice from a healthcare professional. 

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