List of Foods to Avoid While Taking Metformin

Metformin is the first-choice medicine for type 2 diabetes; it is known to reduce the levels of blood glucose (safely).

It’s also effective and well-tolerated and is considered the first-line diabetes treatment, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Generally, Metformin does not create a problem for diabetic patients if they eat mindfully. However, certain foods should be avoided while taking metformin to ensure optimum effects and no complications.

Read this article to learn about foods to avoid while taking metformin.

What is Metformin?

Metformin 500 mg Tablet is a drug recommended for treating Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and insulin resistance. Of the total 30 million diabetics, 90 to 95% of them have Type 2 diabetes, according to the CDC. Metformin belongs to the class of medications called biguanides, which are drugs that prevent the liver from forming sugar. Metformin also reduces the amount of sugar the body absorbs from the food a person consumes and improves the body’s response to insulin.

Importance of Diet when Taking Metformin

Diet plays a crucial role in enhancing Metformin’s effectiveness and minimizing its side effects. Here are the key points to consider:

Carbohydrate intake:

• Metformin primarily works by reducing glucose production in the liver and improving insulin sensitivity.
• A diet lower in refined carbohydrates can complement Metformin’s action, helping to stabilize blood sugar levels.
• Focus on complex carbohydrates from whole grains, vegetables, and legumes.

Timing of meals:

• Consistent meal timing helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.
• Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day can work well with Metformin’s effects.

Fiber intake:

• High-fiber foods can slow carbohydrate absorption, further aiding blood sugar control.
• Fiber also helps mitigate potential gastrointestinal side effects of Metformin.

Protein and fat balance:

• Including lean proteins and healthy fats in meals can help slow glucose absorption and promote satiety.
• This can assist in weight management, which is often a goal for those taking Metformin.

Vitamin B12:

• Metformin can decrease vitamin B12 absorption over time.
• Including B12-rich foods (e.g., lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy) or discussing supplementation with a healthcare provider is important.

Alcohol consumption:

• Limiting alcohol intake is crucial, as it can increase the risk of lactic acidosis, a rare but serious side effect of Metformin.

Hydration:

• Staying well-hydrated can help reduce the risk of side effects and support overall health.

Low glycemic index foods:

• Choosing foods with a lower glycemic index can help maintain more stable blood sugar levels, complementing Metformin’s action.

Foods to Avoid While Taking Metformin

The right dose of Metformin and diet can work wonders for a diabetes patient if balanced well. Below are some types of foods not to eat while taking Metformin:

1. Fats

Trans fats and saturated fats should be avoided while on metformin due to their potential negative impact on cardiovascular health.

Trans fats, often found in processed and fried foods, can raise bad cholesterol levels and increase heart disease risk. Saturated fats, commonly in red meat and full-fat dairy, can also raise bad cholesterol.

Since metformin is used to manage conditions like diabetes, maintaining cardiovascular health is crucial, making it advisable to limit these unhealthy fats for overall well-being.

Read More Metformin Side Effects: Common, Severe and Long Term

2. Simple And Refined Carbohydrates

When we eat simple and refined carbohydrates, like sugary foods and white bread, our body quickly turns them into sugar.

This sugar rushes into our bloodstream, causing our blood sugar levels to rise rapidly. Now, metformin is a medicine that helps keep our blood sugar levels steady, which is important, especially for people with diabetes.

But when we eat too many sugary and starchy foods, our blood sugar goes up a lot, and metformin might have a harder time controlling it. It’s like trying to stop a car that’s going really fast – it becomes more challenging.

By avoiding too many of these fast-acting carbs, we’re helping metformin do its job better. We’re also keeping our blood sugar levels in a safe and steady range, which is good for our health, especially if we’re taking metformin to manage conditions like diabetes.

3. High Fiber Foods

There are some extremely high-fiber foods on the list of foods not to eat while taking Metformin. Consuming fiber in diabetes is generally a good idea as it slows down how fast sugar gets into our blood.

But it’s not really good if not consumed in moderation along with medicines like metformin. Fiber is thought to absorb certain medicines and reduce their concentration in the bloodstream.

If a person consumes huge quantities of fiber, the levels of Metformin might reduce. According to published research by PubMed, the consumption of fibers should be kept below 30 grams per day.

Read More Normal Sugar Level For Women

4. Sodium

Other foods to avoid while taking metformin include sodium. Excess sodium while on metformin is recommended due to potential interactions with blood pressure regulation. High sodium intake can elevate blood pressure, and metformin is commonly prescribed to manage conditions like diabetes.

Elevated blood pressure could exacerbate cardiovascular risks associated with these conditions. Additionally, excessive sodium might affect kidney function, which is monitored in metformin users.

Prioritizing a low-sodium diet supports overall cardiovascular health and complements metformin’s benefits in managing blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of complications, and promoting general well-being.

While taking Metformin, one must avoid consuming an excess of sodium. Rochester Medicine recommends keeping the sodium intake below 2300 milligrams per day.

5. Alcohol

A person must avoid huge amounts of alcohol since it enhances the risk of developing low blood glucose as well as lactic acidosis. Alcohol is found to prevent the liver from storing and liberating sugar, according to Diabetes.UK website.

Since diabetics already struggle to manage blood sugar levels, reducing the risk factor of alcohol intake is worth consideration. Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach may result in low blood glucose as the Metformin alcohol reaction can be worse.

This is true for individuals using insulin or other anti-diabetes medicines that enhance insulin levels. Metformin is found to amplify the quantity of lactate.

Overall, moderate drinking is safe. Safe levels are one drink per day for females and two drinks per day for males.

6. Caffeine

Heavy caffeine consumption while taking metformin might hamper its effectiveness. According to the Mayo Clinic, caffeine might negatively affect the way your body utilizes insulin hormone. For diabetes patients, daily caffeine consumption around or above 200 mg can cause this effect.

However, this doesn’t mean diabetics on metformin have to give up caffeine totally. Consuming caffeine in limited amounts is absolutely fine with diabetes and metformin. There’s no strong evidence that caffeine directly interferes with Metformin absorption.

Read More: Side Effects of Metformin

Specific Food Interactions with Metformin

Here are some foods to consider when taking metformin:

Metformin and Citrus Fruits

Metformin is not broken down by the same enzyme as the medicines. It remains unprocessed by a person’s body and is removed in urine.

A study published by Diabetes U.K. discussed the effects of citrus fruits like grapefruit with Metformin in non-diabetic people. A few rats were exposed to grapefruit juice and metformin, while others were exposed to only Metformin.

It was found that the amount of lactic acid produced by people exposed to Metformin and grapefruit juice increased.

Now we answer the question: How does grapefruit have an effect on Metformin? It was guessed that grapefruit juice increased the build-up of Metformin in the liver. This, sequentially, brought about an increase in lactic acid production. It is suggested that drinking grapefruit juice may cause an enhanced risk of lactic acidosis in people having Metformin.

Metformin and Alcohol

Generally, diabetics must moderate their alcohol consumption as alcohol impairs the liver’s ability to store and liberate sugar. This is a problem for diabetics as their bodies already fight to manage blood sugar. Furthermore, drinking alcohol on an empty stomach might bring about low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

This alcohol-associated complication is more common in individuals using insulin or diabetes medicines that enhance insulin levels. Metformin does not enhance insulin levels. Hence, alcohol-induced hypoglycemia is less expected to take place in individuals who take it.

Metformin and Dairy Products

Dairy products have a complex relationship with Metformin absorption. While calcium in dairy can form complexes with Metformin, this effect is generally not significant with normal dietary intake. Dairy proteins and fats may slow gastric emptying, potentially delaying Metformin absorption, but this is usually mild.

Probiotics in fermented dairy might indirectly affect absorption through gut health changes. For lactose-intolerant individuals, dairy consumption could alter gut function, impacting Metformin absorption. Timing dairy intake separately from Metformin is sometimes recommended but not usually necessary.

Dairy remains nutritionally beneficial for many people with diabetes. Individual responses vary, so personalized advice from healthcare providers is important for optimizing Metformin’s effectiveness and overall diabetes management.

What to Eat while Taking Metformin

Below are 5 foods a person can add to their Metformin diet:

Complex carbs:

These carbohydrates are derived from fruits, veggies, and whole grains like brown rice and whole-grain bread. They have more fiber, which makes them more difficult to metabolize.

This then slows the liberation of sugar into the bloodstream. If a person is eating complex carbohydrates, you must keep track of your overall carb consumption. This is significant as carbs directly affect blood glucose levels.

Lean Protein:

Incorporating lean protein into your metformin diet is beneficial as it helps stabilize blood sugar levels and promotes satiety. Proteins like chicken, fish, tofu, and legumes have a low glycemic impact, reducing sugar spikes.

This synergizes with metformin’s effects, aiding in glucose management for conditions like diabetes.

Healthy fats:

Including healthy fats in your metformin diet offers benefits by providing sustained energy and aiding blood sugar regulation.

Fats like avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil have a minimal impact on blood sugar levels while supporting nutrient absorption.

This complements metformin’s effects, promoting stable glucose levels and overall metabolic health.

Non-Starchy Veggies:

Eating non-starchy veggies with Metformin is a clever idea because they’re low in carbs and won’t cause rapid sugar spikes. Metformin helps regulate blood sugar, and these veggies support its role by not adding too much sugar.

Imagine them as a team working together to keep sugar levels steady. This harmony is crucial for overall well-being, particularly when managing conditions like diabetes or PCOS. It’s like having a strong backup for Metformin’s efforts.

Read More: Gliclazide + Metformin Tablets to Control Your Blood Sugar Levels

Moderate Fiber Consumption:

Even though it is suggested that people do not consume lots of fiber, moderate fiber consumption might actually be useful. Fiber helps regulate blood sugar levels. According to Harvard Medicine, consuming 25 to 30 grams of fiber every day might help regulate blood glucose levels.

Low-Carb Fruits

Incorporating low-carb fruits into your diet with metformin is advantageous due to their minimal impact on blood sugar. Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), apples, pears, cherries, and kiwi are fiber-rich and release sugars gradually.

This helps stabilize glucose levels, which is vital for managing diabetes or PCOS with metformin. The fiber content curbs sugar absorption, lowering spike risk, supporting glucose control, and synergizing with metformin’s effects.

Nuts And Seeds

Adding nuts and seeds to your metformin diet provides low-glycemic, energy-sustaining benefits. Varieties such as almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds supply fiber, nutrients, and omega-3s, aiding glucose stability.

This complements metformin’s effects, enhancing its efficacy in managing conditions like diabetes and PCOS.

Drugs To Avoid While On Metformin

While metformin is generally well-tolerated, certain medications and substances might interact with it and require caution or avoidance. Therefore, if you are taking any of these drugs/medicines mentioned below, do consult with your doctor about your metformin dosage:

Contrast Agents:

If you’re having a medical procedure that involves contrast agents for imaging, such as a CT scan with contrast dye, your doctor might advise temporarily stopping metformin.

Certain Blood Pressure Medications:

Some medications for high blood pressure, like beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, might affect blood sugar levels.

Some Diuretics:

Certain diuretics (water pills) or acetazolamide could impact kidney function and potentially interact with metformin.

Cimetidine (Tagamet):

This medication, used for acid reflux and ulcers, can slow down metformin’s removal from the body, possibly leading to higher metformin levels. Your doctor might adjust your metformin dosage if you need to take cimetidine.

Certain Antidepressants:

Some antidepressants, particularly monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), might influence blood sugar levels and interact with metformin. Discuss potential interactions with your doctor.

Vitamin B12 Supplements:

Long-term metformin use can potentially decrease vitamin B12 absorption. Some individuals might need B12 supplementation, but this should be guided by a healthcare professional.

• Antipsychotic medications, including chlorpromazine
• Anticonvulsants like topiramate and zonisamide
• Oral contraceptives
• Corticosteroids like prednisone
• Antihypertensives such as amlodipine

Note: Remember, personalized medical advice is crucial. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and medical conditions you have to ensure the safe and effective use of metformin.

Read More: Metformin 500 MG Tablet: Know All About Generic Medicine For Diabetes Patients

Conclusion

Managing your diet while taking Metformin is crucial for optimizing its effectiveness in treating type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and insulin resistance. While Metformin is generally well-tolerated, certain foods and medications can interact with it, potentially affecting its absorption or increasing the risk of side effects.

Key dietary considerations include moderating carbohydrate intake, maintaining consistent meal timing, ensuring adequate fiber and protein, limiting alcohol consumption, and staying hydrated. It’s important to avoid excessive amounts of simple sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.

Always consult with your doctor about specific dietary recommendations, potential drug interactions, and any concerns while taking Metformin to ensure safe and effective diabetes management.Last Updated on August 18, 2024 by Dr. Damanjit Duggal