Based on NIH | Is it safe to eat nuts after taking metformin, or do I need to wait a certain amount of time?

You can eat nuts with or after taking metformin without needing to wait. Metformin is recommended to be taken with meals to reduce stomach side effects, and there is no specific restriction against nuts or most other common foods. ^{[1] [2]}

Why taking metformin with food helps

Metformin commonly causes mild, short‑term stomach issues like nausea or diarrhea, especially when starting or increasing the dose. Taking it with food generally makes these symptoms less likely. ^[3] Taking metformin with a meal slightly lowers and delays how quickly the drug is absorbed, but this effect is expected and not harmful; it is part of why labels advise dosing with meals. ^{[4] [5]}

Do nuts interfere with metformin?

There is no known harmful interaction between nuts and metformin. Metformin’s absorption can be modestly reduced and delayed by food in general, not by any specific food like nuts, and this does not reduce the clinical benefit when the medicine is used as directed. ^{[4] [5]} Labels for both immediate‑release and extended‑release metformin advise taking it with meals, without listing any foods to avoid. ^{[2] [6]}

Practical tips for comfort and glucose control

• It’s reasonable to take metformin with a balanced meal or snack, including nuts if you like, to help your stomach tolerate the medicine. ^[3]
• If you use extended‑release tablets, swallow them whole and avoid crushing or chewing; you can still take them with food such as nuts. ^[7]
• If you have ongoing stomach upset, starting with a low dose and slowly increasing under your clinician’s guidance usually helps. ^{[8] [9]}

Bottom line

• Eating nuts with or after metformin is safe, and you don’t need to wait a specific amount of time. ^{[2] [6]}
• Taking metformin with meals is actually recommended to improve tolerability. Including nuts as part of that meal or snack is acceptable. ^{[1] [3]}