10 Foods to Avoid While Taking Metformin for Diabetes
When managing type 2 diabetes with metformin (Glucophage), it’s important to be aware of foods that can interact with this medication or worsen diabetes symptoms. Certain foods can reduce metformin's effectiveness or further elevate blood sugar levels, hindering your efforts to control diabetes.
Being mindful of specific foods to avoid while taking metformin empowers you to actively manage medication side effects and blood sugar levels through nutrition choices. Learn which foods to steer clear of in your diet.
How Does Metformin Work?
Metformin is an oral diabetes medication that helps control blood sugar levels. This drug works by:
- Reducing glucose production and absorption in liver
- Improving how your body responds to insulin
- Slowing digestion of carbs
These actions help lower and stabilize blood glucose concentrations. While metformin doesn’t directly cause weight loss, the stabilization of blood sugars also reduces hunger and overeating.
Why Avoid Certain Foods With Metformin
Some foods can negate the blood sugar lowering effects of metformin, causing swings in glucose concentrations. Over time, erratic blood sugars from food interactions can diminish metformin’s efficacy.
Other foods irritate the digestive system, exacerbating metformin's common GI side effects like diarrhea, indigestion, and nausea.
Thesse specific food and medication interactions make avoiding certain foods critically important when taking metformin.
Top 10 Foods to Avoid with Metformin Therapy
Foods that should be limited or avoided altogether when taking metformin include:
1. Alcohol
All types of alcohol can interact negatively with metformin. Alcohol impairment of liver function may increase metformin concentrations in the blood to unsafe levels.
Plus, excess alcohol spikes blood sugar. This undermines metformin’s effectiveness and increases risk of high blood sugars.
2. Processed Meats
Bacon, sausage, canned meats, and any processed deli meats contain added sugars and preservatives that can surge blood sugar levels. The saturated fat and sodium also burden metabolic function.
3. Whole Milk Dairy
Whole milk, full fat cheeses, yogurt, cottage cheese, cream, and other whole milk dairy foods trigger sharp rises in blood glucose and lipids. Opt for reduced fat dairy options.
4. Packaged Snacks and Sweets
Packaged cookies, candy, chips, cakes, and sugary cereals cause rapid glucose spikes. These processed snacks offer no nutrition benefits and contain blood sugar busting simple carbs and sugars.
5. Refined Grains
Refined flour products like white bread, bagels, muffins, tortillas, baked goods, white rice, and pasta digest extremely quickly into glucose. This strains metformin’s workload and raises A1C.
6. Fried Foods
The trans fats or fatty acids in fried foods impair insulin signaling, raise LDL cholesterol, create inflammation, and spur surges in blood glucose concentrations — not what you want on metformin therapy.
7. Fruit Juice and Frozen Drinks
Though perceived as healthy, juice and frozen fruit drinks shoot blood sugars sky high. Their fiber has been stripped away, leaving only blood sugar spiking simple sugars.
8. High Fructose Sweeteners
Sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup, sugar, honey, and maple syrup place an immediate strain on blood glucose control and insulin function — precisely what metformin targets.
9. Fermented Foods
Fermented foods like kombucha, kimchi, and pickles may interact negatively with metformin, inhibiting proper drug absorption. Their bacteria cultures can also worsen GI side effects.
10. Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements like garlic, ginseng, and others may strengthen metformin’s blood sugar lowering effect dangerously. Discuss any supplements with your pharmacist.
Foods to Eat While Taking Metformin
While some foods should clearly be limited, others can actually enhance metformin's theraputic actions. Here are some foods that support metformin and blood sugar control:
Non-Starchy Vegetables
Non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, onions, carrots, asparagus and more provide nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber that benefit metformin mechanisms.
Lean Proteins
Lean, unprocessed proteins like chicken breast, turkey, eggs, fish, tofu, plain Greek yogurt, and nuts help improve glycemic control and satiety on metformin therapy.
High Fiber Foods
High fiber foods like avocado, berries, apples, flaxseed, chia seeds, beans, lentils, and 100% whole grains feed good gut bacteria and slow the digestion and breakdown of carbohydrates into glucose.
Vinegars
Vinegars added to meals may enhance metformin's effects. Specific vinegars shown to benefit blood sugar control include apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, rice vinegar and balsamic vinegar.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon acts like insulin in the body, enhancing cells’ uptake of glucose. Studies show it augments metformin management of blood glucose levels and A1C.
The Takeaway
When taking metformin for diabetes management, avoid foods that tax the medication's effectiveness or worsen side effects. This includes alcohol, processed snacks, refined carbs, fried dishes, juice and high fructose sweeteners.
Emphasize vegetables, lean proteins, high fiber foods, vinegars and cinnamon instead. Conscious nutrition choices help metformin work optimally to lower blood sugar and manage diabetes.
FAQs
Can I drink alcohol while taking metformin?
It's best to avoid alcohol while taking metformin. Alcohol impairs liver function, potentially increasing metformin levels dangerously high. Alcohol also spikes blood sugar, interfering with metformin's efficacy.
What sweets can I eat on metformin?
Avoid sugar-laden sweets like candy, cookies, cake, ice cream and sugary cereals on metformin. Low glycemic sweets like fresh fruit, low fat Greek yogurt, small amounts of dark chocolate, and nuts are better options.
Is peanut butter OK with metformin?
Yes, you can include peanut butter in moderation while taking metformin, preferably a natural peanut butter. Peanut butter provides healthy fats, fiber, and protein to help maintain blood sugar control.
What vegetables should I eat on metformin?
Non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, peppers, carrots, mushrooms and tomatoes provide key nutrients and fiber that support metformin therapy and diabetic health.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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