Victoza Foods To Avoid For Weight Loss: What To Eat Instead

Victoza (liraglutide) is an injectable medication used once daily for people with type 2 diabetes. 

Victoza is a type of GLP-1 medication used to lower blood sugar and A1C levels (the average blood sugar levels over the past three months) in adults and children ten years and older. 

Novo Nordisk makes Victoza and Ozempic, another GLP-1 medication that can result in more weight loss but is only approved for adults. 

Many other GLP-1 medications are available; some are marketed for weight loss, and others are for diabetes management, which may help people achieve significant weight loss.

Continue reading to discover the top foods to avoid when taking Victoza for diabetes management, weight loss, and what to eat instead. 

{{splash}}

Victoza Foods to Avoid for Weight Loss

Victoza and other GLP-1 medications help you achieve good blood glucose control and can also lead to weight loss. 

GLP-1 medications like Victoza work in several ways: 

• Improve how your body manages insulin and uses carbohydrates from food and drinks.
• It slows the stomach emptying rate, preventing high blood sugar levels after meals, and increases fullness.
• Increased fullness reduces how much you eat daily, leading to weight loss.

Diet choices can further improve your body's response to Victoza, resulting in greater blood sugar level improvements and weight loss. 

When eaten in excess, the following foods make it more challenging to manage blood sugar levels and lose weight. 

1. Foods and Drinks High in Sugar

Foods and drinks containing high amounts of sugar (glucose) are absorbed quickly, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. 

Frequent sugar-sweetened beverage intake, in particular, is associated with weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other adverse health effects. 

Sugar-sweetened beverages include:

• Regular soda
• Fruit drinks
• Sports drinks
• Energy drinks
• Sweetened coffee, tea, and water.

High-sugar foods include:

• Sugary breakfast cereal
• Candy 
• Cakes 
• Cookies 
• Pies
• Donuts
• Pastries and other desserts. 

2. Processed Foods  

Processed foods tend to be lower in beneficial nutrients and higher in sodium, fat, and sugar.

Examples include ready-to-eat foods, packaged snacks, soda, instant noodles, and ready-made meals.  

A higher intake of processed foods is associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, specifically obesity and type 2 diabetes, in a large meta-analysis published in 2024.

3. High Saturated and Trans Fat Foods

Carbohydrate intake and balance are important in diabetes management, as is fat intake.

‍Eating beneficial fats can reduce your risk for heart disease and help you manage your diabetes well. 

The American Diabetes Association recommends consuming more mono- and polyunsaturated fats and less saturated and trans fats.

For healthy fat sources, choose:

• Avocado
• Nuts
• Olives
• Avocado or olive oil
• Peanut butter
• Salmon
• Tuna
• Flaxseeds and chia seeds

It also means limiting or avoiding:

• Lard
• High-fat meats like hot dogs and sausage
• High-fat dairy, like butter
• Cream sauces
• Fried foods

4. Fried Foods

Fried foods are grouped with processed foods.

They are higher in fat as the breading absorbs even more oil during frying.

Fried foods include onion rings, french fries, donuts, breaded meats, and potato chips.

A study including over 24,000 adults linked high fried food intake with higher rates of obesity and abdominal weight gain, so decreasing your intake of these foods could help you better manage your weight. 

6. Fast Food

Fast food restaurants typically serve processed, fatty, fried foods and high-sugar beverages (everything on the list so far). Eating these foods regularly could make it more difficult to manage blood sugar levels and weight. 

However, fast food can be eaten in moderation.

You can also try substituting more balanced menu items, like a grilled chicken salad with a small fry and water, instead of a fried chicken sandwich, fries, and soda. 

7. High-Sodium Foods

Over 70% of America’s sodium (or salt) intake comes from packaged and processed foods.

Sodium is used to preserve foods and give them a long shelf life. 

However, too much sodium intake increases your risk of high blood pressure.

And higher intakes of processed food are associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, as mentioned before.

Limit your total sodium intake to 2,300 mg or less per day.

Foods with less than 5% of the daily value for sodium are considered low sodium, while 20% or more of the daily value is considered high on the food label. 

8. Alcohol

Consuming too much alcohol (or more than three drinks daily) can lead to higher blood sugar levels and A1C.

Some alcoholic drinks contain more sugar and carbohydrates than others, leading to a quick rise and fall in blood sugar levels. 

The American Diabetes Association recommends limiting one drink daily for women and up to two for men.

Additionally, drinking while taking Victoza can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels.

Work with your healthcare provider to determine if you can drink alcohol. 

What to Eat Instead

Eat balanced meals with lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich whole-grain carbohydrates to aid in optimal blood sugar control and weight loss. 

Fiber and protein-rich meals help you stay full longer. Here are some ideas for foods to eat instead!

1. Lean Protein: turkey, chicken, lean ground beef, salmon, tuna, eggs, shrimp, low-fat dairy, beans, lentils, tofu, and edamame.
2. Fruits: strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, watermelon, kiwi, bananas, limes, oranges, clementines, grapes, and apples.
3. Vegetables: lettuce, asparagus, green beans, potatoes, squash, corn, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, and mushrooms.
4. Whole grains: oats, quinoa, brown rice, whole-grain bread and tortillas, and popcorn.
5. Low or no-calorie drinks: water, unsweetened tea or coffee, and no-added-sugar flavored water.

How to Create a Meal Plan While Taking Victoza

Working with a registered dietitian can ensure you get an individualized meal plan while trying to manage blood sugars and lose weight. 

You can start independently by following the plate method when planning meals. 

1. Fill one-half of your plate with non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, kale, tomatoes, and green beans. 
2. Fill one-quarter of your plate with starchy vegetables and grains like sweet potatoes, oatmeal, brown rice, or quinoa.
3. Fill the final one-quarter with a lean protein option (animal or plant-based) like beans, tofu, chicken, fish, low-fat dairy, and eggs.

The plate method is a simple visual for ensuring a filling and nutritious meal.

The breakdown helps you choose enough protein, fiber, and carbohydrates to stay full between meals and regulate blood sugar levels. 

Takeaway

Changing your diet while taking a GLP-1, like Victoza, will help you achieve your health and weight loss goals while nourishing your body. 

To have greater success while taking Victoza, avoid or limit your intake of these eight foods.

Review the food you should eat instead and choose healthier options for your next meal or snack. 

Having trouble losing weight? Take the weight loss quiz to understand your next steps and reach your goals.

How a Dietitian Can Help

If you need individualized expert nutrition guidance while taking Victoza or trying to lose weight, consider working with a dietitian to develop a balanced and realistic meal plan. 

At Nourish, every nutrition appointment is dedicated to helping you find solutions that bring you closer to your health goals. Dietitians can help you develop sustainable meal plans and understand how medications work in your body. 

Here are some questions to ask when working with a registered dietitian. 

• How do I learn more about injectable GLP-1 medications?
• Can a dietitian help me lose weight? 
• I need a grocery shopping list for weight loss – can you help me find one?

Find a dietitian who accepts insurance through Nourish.