9 Foods to Avoid While Taking Jardiance: Manage Diabetes Safely

Jardiance is a widely prescribed FDA-approved medication for managing type 2 diabetes and reducing the risk of heart complications. However, many people don’t realize that certain foods can interfere with how Jardiance works, either lowering its effectiveness or increasing the chance of side effects. If you are taking this medication, knowing what to eat, and more importantly, what not to eat, plays a big role in keeping your blood sugar levels stable and your body safe. In this article, we’ll explore the key foods to avoid while taking Jardiance, so you can get the maximum benefit from your treatment. Let's get started!

9 Worst Foods to Avoid while taking Jardiance

What not to eat on Jardiance? Here’s a list of 9 odd foods to avoid while using Jardiance:

1. High-Sugar Foods

Examples: candies, baked goods, sodas, pastries, sweetened cereal, energy drinks, ice cream, and sweetened yogurts.

• Consuming excessive amounts of sugar-rich foods can increase blood sugar levels quickly, which can interrupt the purpose of Jardiance.

• Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can lead to chronic diabetes-related complications, like kidney problems, heart disease, eye issues, and nerve damage.

Tip: Choose healthy alternatives such as sugar-free foods and beverages, herbal teas, or fruits. Always check the product label for added sugars.

2. Ultra-Processed Foods

Examples: Processed Meats, Fast Food, Sweetened Cereals, Baked Goods, Pre-packaged meals, etc.

• As ultra-processed foods are highly loaded with sugar, trans fats, and saturated fats, which you need to avoid with diabetes, they can impact insulin resistance.

• This leads to weight gain, which can make it challenging to manage blood sugar levels and also counteract the purpose of Jardiance. Also, it can increase cholesterol levels, contributing to cardiovascular issues.

Tip: Choose whole foods, like lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains.

3. High-Sodium Foods

Examples: Processed Snacks, Fast Food, and Canned Soups

• As Jardiance can cause side effects such as dehydration and low blood pressure, eating high-sodium foods can worsen these effects.

• This, in turn, can increase the chances of fainting, dizziness, and electrolyte imbalances.

Tip: Always read product labels and limit sodium (salt) intake to not more than 2,300 mg a day, or less as recommended by a doctor.

4. Caffeine-rich Beverages

Examples: Coffee, green tea, soda, black tea, and energy drinks.

• Drinking caffeinated beverages while taking Jardiance can cause dehydration, making the body lose an excessive amount of water from the body.

• In addition, you might feel dizzy, lightheaded, and faint.

• Hence, avoid caffeine over 400 mg a day (not more than 4 to 5 cups) to prevent dehydration risk and drink a lot of water throughout the day.

Tip: Opt for herbal teas, decaffeinated teas, or water infused with fresh fruits and vegetables.

5. Ultra-Processed Foods

Examples: Packaged meals, chips, canned soups, candy, soda, and fast food.

• High sodium (salt) intake from ultra-processed foods can worsen blood pressure levels and kidney function, both of which are also targeted by Jardiance.

• In addition, they are highly rich in sugar, which can increase blood sugar levels. This can work against Jardiance, which is used to lower blood sugar levels.

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to cancer.

Tip: Choose fresh, home-cooked foods with less salt or sugar content.

6. Refined Carbohydrates

Examples: White rice, processed snack foods, regular pasta, pastries, and white bread.

• Refined carbs can be rapidly broken down into sugar, leading to spikes in blood sugar levels, which counteract the blood sugar-lowering effect of Jardiance.

• Also, it lacks nutrients that can increase insulin resistance, making it challenging to control blood sugar levels.

Tip: Opt for whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice, oats, and whole wheat bread.

7. Fried Foods

Examples: French fries, fried chicken, fried fish or shrimp, deep-fried snacks, and chicken nuggets.

• Fried foods contain unhealthy fats in high amounts, which can worsen insulin resistance, making it more challenging for the medicine to efficiently manage blood sugar levels.

• Also, they can increase the risk of heart disease and raise cholesterol levels, as they are rich in saturated fats and trans fats.

Tip: Take heart-healthy fats such as olive oil and bake, steam, or grill your food.

8. Garlic Supplements

• Taking Jardiance with garlic supplements can significantly increase the risk of low blood sugar levels, as Jardiance also works to reduce blood sugar levels.

• Moreover, the natural blood-thinning effects of garlic may increase the risk of bleeding.

• So, always discuss it with your doctor before taking garlic supplements with Jardiance.

Tip: Instead, add fresh garlic pieces to your cooking occasionally, as garlic has a sugar-lowering effect only in supplement form. 

9. Alcohol

• Alcohol can increase or decrease the blood sugar levels, cause dehydration, and raise the risk of ketoacidosis (a rare but severe side effect of Jardianc).

• Combining this medicine with alcohol can also increase strain on the liver and kidneys.

Tip: If you want to drink alcohol, consume it in moderate amounts with precautions, like avoiding taking the medicine on an empty stomach and monitoring the side effects. 

By avoiding all these foods and adding well-balanced and diabetes-friendly foods to your diet, you can boost Jardiance's effectiveness and improve overall health.

Additional Tips:

• Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water throughout the day, as Jardiance increases urination.

• Keep a check on your blood sugar level regularly.

• Consult a doctor before making any dietary changes, particularly if you are struggling with kidney problems.

What Foods to Eat with Jardiance?

While taking Jardiance, focus on a diabetes-friendly diet to maintain blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of side effects. Here are the best foods to pair with Jardiance:

1. Non-Starchy Vegetables

Examples: Mushrooms, zucchini, cauliflower, eggplant, broccoli, spinach, and tomatoes.

Why to Eat: Being low in carbs and calories, they won't increase blood sugar levels.

2. Protein-Based Foods

Examples: Eggs, lean beef, skinless chicken, tofu, fish, legumes, and turkey.

Why to Eat: Slows down digestion and reduces spikes in blood sugar levels after a meal, thus stabilizing blood sugar levels.

3. Whole Grains

Examples: Oats, brown rice, whole wheat bread, quinoa, and barley

Why to Eat: Being high in fiber, it slows down the absorption of carbs, keeping blood sugar levels steady.

4. High-Probiotic Foods

Examples: Yogurt, kefir, tempeh, sauerkraut, miso, and kimchi.

Why to Eat: Supports digestion and immunity function, which is especially crucial if you are at risk of infections or dehydration with Jardiance.

5. Low-Fat Dairy

Examples: Low-fat milk, reduced-fat cheese, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt.

Why to Eat: Provides calcium and protein with no excessive saturated fats, which support bone, heart, and muscle health, all are crucial for managing diabetes. 

Tips to Prevent Food Interactions with Jardiance

Consider these tips to prevent food interactions with Jardiance:

• Follow a well-balanced diet: Add low glycemic foods to your diet to make blood sugar levels stable.

• Stay hydrated: Drink a lot of water to reduce the risk of dehydration from urination caused by Jardiance as a side effect.

• Limit alcohol and caffeine: Both substances can lead to dehydration and impact blood sugar levels.

• Avoid sugary foods & refined carbs: These foods can counteract the glucose-lowering effects of Jardiance.

• Consult before taking supplements: Always consult a doctor before taking any herbal supplements, such as green tea or garlic supplements.

• Be consistent with your meal timing: Eat your food at the same times to maintain steady blood glucose levels.

Always talk to a doctor or a dietician before making any dietary changes to avoid unwanted interactions.

When to Avoid Jardiance?

There can be certain situations where Jardiance can take a wrong turn. It is suggested to follow the advice of your doctor regarding Jardiance use. Avoid this medicine in the following cases:

1. Kidney Dialysis

• Kidney condition may get worse.

• Some allergic reactions can occur.

2. Allergies

• Allergic reactions can occur if you are allergic to Jardiance or any of its ingredients.

• Inform your doctor about your allergies before taking any medicine.

3. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Avoid during pregnancy, as it might affect the developing baby.

• Do not breastfeed, as there is no evidence on Jardiance's active ingredient passing into human breast milk. 

4. Low Blood Pressure

• Can drop the blood pressure levels too low.

• This is because Jardiance itself reduces blood pressure.

5. Dehydration

• Jardiance can also negatively contribute to dehydration by causing urination.

• The advice is to drink plenty of water.

6. Surgical Procedure

• Can low blood pressure levels and increase dehydration risk.

• Also, euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (euDKA), (where blood glucose levels are below 250 mg/dL despite metabolic acidosis & ketosis) can occur in rare cases.

7. Pancreas Problem

• Raises the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis and even makes pancreatic stress worse.

• Increases the chances of developing pancreatitis if you have a history of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), according to the 2022 study. 

8. Type 1 Diabetes

• Increase the chances of ketoacidosis (high levels of ketones in the blood)

• Talk with the doctor for a different treatment plan to manage this type of diabetes.

9. Genital Yeast Infections

• Further increases the risk of developing genital yeast infections.

• See a doctor for proper monitoring of infection.

10. With Other Medications

• Avoid Jardiance with these medicines, as interactions can reduce Jardiance's effectiveness and increase the risk of side effects:

• Diuretics (water pills), like furosemide and bumetanide

• Insulin, such as Humalog, Levemir, and Tresiba

• Sulfonylureas, like glipizide

• Glinides, such as repaglinide

• Other diabetes medicines, like Ozempic and linagliptin

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, including phenelzine and tranylcypromine 

General Dietary Tips for Type 2 Diabetes

When struggling with type 2 diabetes, follow the strict dietary strategy to work cooperatively with Jardiance and improve overall health. Here are the dietary guidelines to consider:

1. Count Carbs

• Assist in maintaining blood sugar levels within the desired range.

• Work with a registered dietitian to determine the amount of carbs in everyday and per meal.

2. Consume Fiber-Rich Foods

• Regulates digestion, contributing to managing the blood sugar levels.

• Eat fiber-rich foods, like legumes (e.g., beans and peas), whole grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

3. Limit Processed Foods

• Avoid or limit them as they contain hidden unhealthy fats and sugars.

• Opt for whole and minimally processed foods to maintain steady blood sugar levels.

4. Eat Regular Meals

• Consume regular, well-balanced meals each day to prevent fluctuations in blood sugar levels.

• Skipping any of the meals can lower the blood sugar levels or lead to overeating later.

5. Consume Healthy Fats

• Eat high sources of healthy fats such as seeds, fatty fish, nuts, and avocados.

• They promote heart health and improve blood sugar levels.

6. Stay Hydrated

• As Jardiance can cause dehydration by increasing the frequency of urination.

• So, drink a lot of water or other healthy fluids to avoid dehydration.

Following these dietary guidelines can help more effectively help manage diabetes with the use of Jardiance. 

Final Thoughts

Being aware of the foods to avoid while taking Jardiance can make a real difference in how well your medication works and how good you feel day to day. Cutting back on sugary treats, salty snacks, fried foods, alcohol, and refined carbs isn’t always easy, but it can help you keep your blood sugar more stable and lower the chances of unwanted side effects.

The good news is, you don’t have to give up on tasty meals; you just need to focus on balanced, diabetes-friendly choices that support your overall health. And remember, everyone’s body is different. So before you make any big changes to your diet, it’s always best to check in with your doctor or a dietitian who knows your health history. That way, you’ll have a plan that works best for you.