A crippling and life-threatening disease
If you take a GLP-1 medication, like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound, you may want to take a look at your diet. These weight loss drugs are hailed for their ability to slow down digestion and send fullness signals to the brain. For some people, this works so "well" that they forget to eat, causing malnutrition and dehydration. In other cases, certain foods may worsen the digestive symptoms associated with these medications.
Intrigued? Click through this gallery to find out what you should and shouldn't consume when taking GLP-1 medication.
At the moment, there is no specific diet recommended for those taking GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. Most people eat fewer calories while using the medications, so it's important to choose nutritious foods.
Taking GLP-1 medication requires a complete lifestyle change. You should exercise and eat healthily while taking drugs like Ozempic.
To lose fat while building muscle when taking GLP-1 medication, you should eat a healthy diet full of lean protein and vegetables.
Drugs like Ozempic help the body to produce more insulin when needed, slowing down how quickly food is digested and making you feel full.
Because GLP-1 medications reduce your appetite and make you feel fuller for longer, it's important to make sure the food you're eating is of high nutritional quality.
Protein is the most important nutrient as it's not something that we store in the body. If you aren't eating enough protein throughout the day, your muscles will begin to break down.
To ensure you're getting all the nutrients you need while taking weight loss medication like Ozempic, eat smaller meals balanced with protein, whole grains, vegetables, and nuts.
Eggs, chicken, and fatty fish are great sources of protein. But if you're plant-based or prefer to avoid animal products, try tofu, tempeh, and edamame.
Colorful plants are linked to higher levels of specific nutrients and health benefits. Make sure you're varying your vegetables throughout the week.
High-fiber foods like starchy vegetables can increase the side effects of medication like Ozempic. They may also spike blood sugar levels, so moderate how much you're eating.
Dehydration can worsen nausea, a side effect of GLP-1 medications, so drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Fruits like raspberries, strawberries, kiwi, blackberries, and grapefruit are lower in sugar and have a lower carbohydrate content, keeping your blood sugar levels from spiking too high.
GLP-1 medication slows down the speed at which food leaves the stomach and enters the intestines.
Fats naturally take a longer time to digest, so they already spend a longer time in the stomach. If you have a GLP-1 medication slowing your digestion down and high-fat food sitting in your stomach, it may make you feel nauseous.
Avoiding heavily processed fatty foods and deep-fried foods can be helpful in reducing nausea symptoms.
Gastrointestinal side effects are common with GLP-1 medication. You may experience diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain.
Sugary sodas can spike blood sugar and should be avoided while taking medication like Ozempic.
If you experience diarrhea or abdominal pain during your Ozempic treatment, consider temporarily reducing your intake of high-fiber foods, such as cruciferous vegetables, as they can cause bloating.
It's recommended to avoid foods high in sodium while taking weight loss drugs like Ozempic. Limit your intake of processed meats and any canned or pre-packaged items.
Limit desserts like ice cream and baked goods to avoid spiking your blood sugar.
It's safe to drink coffee and alcohol while taking GLP-1 medications, but they should be limited in quantities, as both coffee and alcohol can be hard on the stomach.
Two pounds (one kilo) a week is the recommended amount of weight loss, but if you're losing more than that, you may not be consuming enough calories in the day.
Check in with how you're feeling. If you don't have a lot of energy throughout the day, it may mean your body's metabolism has slowed down because you're not eating enough.
If you have overindulged or are experiencing side effects, try going for a walk, as it will help the food digest a little bit more.
If you're experiencing a lot of side effects, you may want to consider scheduling an appointment with your doctor about making adjustments. The higher the dose, the more likely you'll have side effects.
To minimize side effects from GLP-1 medications, try eating slowly. Chew your food well and end your meal at the first sign of satisfaction.
Follow the directions for taking your medication, as administration instructions vary by the drug. Semaglutide in its oral form should be administered on an empty stomach with a few sips of water at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking to ensure absorption of the medication.
If you want to make sure you're getting enough nutrition while using GLP-1 medications, consider making an appointment with a registered dietitian.
Before meeting with a registered dietitian, you may wish to track what you eat in a food diary so they can set a meal plan based on the foods you enjoy and your lifestyle.
Sources: (WebMD) (Healthline)
See also: What happens when you stop taking weight-loss drugs?
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HEALTH Weight loss
If you take a GLP-1 medication, like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound, you may want to take a look at your diet. These weight loss drugs are hailed for their ability to slow down digestion and send fullness signals to the brain. For some people, this works so "well" that they forget to eat, causing malnutrition and dehydration. In other cases, certain foods may worsen the digestive symptoms associated with these medications.
Intrigued? Click through this gallery to find out what you should and shouldn't consume when taking GLP-1 medication.