7 foods to avoid while taking Jardiance

In this article:

• How Jardiance works
• Jardiance foods to avoid
• Foods to prioritize
• Side effects
• Maximizing Jardiance benefits

In this article

• How Jardiance works
• Jardiance foods to avoid
• Foods to prioritize
• Side effects
• Maximizing Jardiance benefits

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is a brand-name prescription drug that has been FDA approved as a supplement to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. It is also FDA-approved to treat chronic kidney disease (CKD) in those at risk of progression and reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with either heart failure or Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Jardiance works best when combined with a healthy diet, so avoiding certain foods—like fatty or sugary items—can help make this medication more effective.

How Jardiance works

Jardiance belongs to a category of drugs called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. These medications improve blood glucose levels by blocking glucose reabsorption in the kidneys and prompting the body to release that excess sugar through the urinary tract. Research in Obesity Reviews suggests that SGLT2 inhibitors result in an average of 75 grams of urinary glucose excretion per day—nearly 300 calories of sugar. Not surprisingly, a clinical trial found that Jardiance was associated with weight loss in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

Jardiance starts working within hours. However, the drug’s manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim, reports that it can take up to 24 weeks to see noticeable improvements in blood sugar levels.

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7 foods to avoid with Jardiance

First, it’s important to know that there are no known foods that interact with Jardiance, according to Inna Melamed, Pharm.D., a functional medicine practitioner and author of Digestive Reset. However, there are still foods to avoid or limit because they counteract the positive effects of Jardiance. Dr. Melamed also suggests avoiding a ketogenic diet on Jardiance because combining the two presents a risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). 

So, what foods should you avoid while taking Jardiance? Dr. Melamed and Lea Wetzell, LN, CNS, a licensed nutritionist and certified nutrition specialist, recommend limiting or avoiding these dietary groups:

• High sugar foods
• Ultra-processed carbs
• Fried protein
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Sodium and other added minerals
• The ketogenic diet

1. High-sugar foods

Though sugar does not directly interact with Jardiance, Dr. Melamed says foods high in sugar and fructose interfere with the drug’s benefits by increasing blood glucose levels. When a person on Jardiance eats sugary foods such as candy and cake, they are essentially flooding their body with the substance their medication is working to eliminate.

According to the American Heart Association, the recommended daily limit for added sugar is six teaspoons for women and nine teaspoons for men. That may sound like a lot until you realize that added sugar is present in many non-dessert items such as yogurt, protein bars, ketchup, and salad dressing.

2. Ultra-processed carbs

Like sugar, refined, highly processed carbohydrates such as pasta, white bread, and white rice can quickly elevate blood sugar, according to the American Diabetes Association. “These swift spikes can counteract Jardiance’s effectiveness in managing blood sugar,” says Wetzell. “For a healthier balance, opt for whole grains and fiber-rich alternatives that support your medication’s benefits.”

3. Fried food

“Fried foods, including fish and meats, often come with a coating of high-carb flour and are cooked in processed seed oils. These factors may elevate the risk of insulin resistance and disrupt blood sugar control, undermining Jardiance’s benefits,” explains Wetzell.

Ultimately, fried foods that are battered or breaded are high in processed carbohydrates, which can cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) in people with Type 2 diabetes. Wetzell suggests swapping fried protein dishes for baked or roasted meat.

4. Alcohol

There is no food-drug interaction between alcohol and Jardiance, but Dr. Melamed and Wetzell suggest limiting alcohol consumption on this medication.

“Cocktails, flavored liquors, and high-carb beers may be detrimental when taking Jardiance,” says Wetzell. “These beverages are loaded with sugar, causing spikes in blood sugar that counteract the medication’s benefits.” She adds that Jardiance’s diuretic effect can dehydrate, and alcohol can exacerbate this risk. If you do decide to imbibe, staying well-hydrated before, during, and after you drink alcohol is essential.

5. Caffeine

Increased urination is considered a side effect of caffeine, according to the National Institutes of Health. Since Jardiance also increases urine output, combining this drug with too much caffeine leads to a higher risk of dehydration.

So, can you drink coffee at Jardiance? Yes. “Limit your daily intake to 1-2 cups of coffee or tea and ensure you’re sipping water alongside your caffeine fix,” says Wetzell.

6. Certain added minerals (and vitamins containing them)

Research suggests that SGLT2 inhibitors like Jardiance affect how the body metabolizes certain minerals. Specifically, Jardiance might impact the urinary excretion of magnesium, phosphate, and potassium.

“Many people that need the drug already have potential problems processing those minerals, [and] adding the drug can worsen the problem,” says Dr. Melamed. Though Jardiance is most often used in the treatment of diabetes, it is also prescribed to prevent complications in people with heart failure, which is linked to mineral metabolism disorder.

Ultimately, mineral processing can vary from person to person. It’s important to seek personalized medical advice about how much of these minerals are safe to consume on Jardiance.

7. Ketogenic diet

“It’s recommended to avoid ketogenic diet foods on Jardiance since the combination can potentially increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis,” says Dr. Melamed. Ketoacidosis is a severe complication of diabetes and can be a side effect of SGLT2 inhibitor medications, including Jardiance. It occurs when ketones build up in the bloodstream because the body uses fat instead of carbs for fuel.

The keto diet involves eating meals and snacks high in fat and low in carbohydrates, with an average amount of protein. A typical keto breakfast might include eggs fried in butter or oil with a side of greens, while a typical keto dinner might consist of a bunless burger with cheese and vegetables. While these meals might be okay occasionally, it’s important for people taking Jardiance to eat a balanced diet that includes healthy carbohydrates such as whole grain bread and fruit.

What should you eat while taking Jardiance?

When used to treat diabetes, Jardiance is intended to supplement a healthy diet and exercise. It’s crucial to prioritize whole foods and avoid processed sugary snacks and meals.

Generally, foods that can help manage blood sugar levels include vegetables, certain fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. Wetzell also suggests switching from fried to grilled, baked, or roasted meats and plant-based proteins.

Jardiance side effects

SGLT-2 inhibitors like Jardiance are more likely to increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) than cause gastrointestinal side effects like constipation or diarrhea.

Aside from UTIs, here are the most common side effects caused by Jardiance:

• Genital yeast infections
• Upper respiratory infections
• Increased urination
• Elevated levels of fats or cholesterol in the blood
• Joint pain
• Nausea
• Kidney problems

Some side effects, such as UTIs and kidney problems, can be minimized or prevented with proper hydration.

Serious side effects such as severe UTIs, low blood sugar when used with other diabetes medications, low blood pressure, and ketoacidosis—a potentially life-threatening condition marked by intense thirst, weakness, extreme tiredness, and shortness of breath—require urgent medical attention and may result in hospitalization.

Tips for maximizing Jardiance benefits

The most important thing you can do to maximize the benefits of Jardiance is to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Here are other tips for getting the most out of this diabetes medication.

1. Take Jardiance as directed

Jardiance dosage for blood sugar control ranges from 10–25 mg daily. It’s important to take the dosage as prescribed. If the medication does not seem to be working, or you are concerned about side effects, talk to your healthcare provider about the possibility of changing the dose or trying a new medication.

2. Take Jardiance in the morning

Jardiance is usually prescribed as a once-daily pill that can be taken with or without food in the morning. Taking Jardiance at night might increase your risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia when taken with other diabetes medications, such as insulin. Consult your healthcare provider before changing the timing of your daily Jardiance dose.

3. Monitor your blood sugar regularly

Jardiance is intended to be used alongside diet and exercise. Sometimes, Jardiance is used as a secondary therapy along with other diabetes medications such as insulin or metformin. In any case, your Jardiance dose might need to be adjusted if lifestyle changes or your other medications are resulting in lower blood sugar level baselines than when you were first prescribed this medication. Regularly monitoring your blood sugar (and reporting these results to a healthcare professional) is important to ensure a safe and effective Jardiance dose.