What You Should Consider Before Taking Ozempic Or Other Weight Loss Drugs
What You Should Consider Before Taking Ozempic Or Other Weight Loss Drugs
Ozempic and other GLP-1s have helped millions of people lose weight and control their blood sugar. Though these medications have helped people achieve their fitness goals, there are somethings you may want to consider and discuss with your doctor before taking the drugs.
Health & Medical Considerations
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Lifestyle Changes
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Muscle maintenance: GLP-1 medications can cause loss of muscle and fat. Begin each meal with 20 to 30 g of protein from foods like fish, beans, chickpeas, or tofu. Aim for 1.0 to 1.5 g of protein per kg of body weight daily, if moderately active. If your appetite is very low, use protein shakes with at least 20 g protein per serving.
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Energy balance: Because these medications reduce appetite, keep your energy by eating smaller meals plus snacks (fruit, handful of nuts, unsweetened yogurt). Choose slowly digested carbohydrates like sweet potatoes or oatmeal instead of refined grains (white bread, pastries) or sugary drinks that can cause blood glucose swings. To feel full longer, add healthy fats like olive oil or avocado to meals.
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Avoid side effects: GLP-1 medications can cause digestive side effects. For nausea, avoid high-fat foods (fried items, processed meats) and eat whole-grain toast or cereal. Ginger tea or fruit can also help. For heartburn, eat smaller portions and avoid lying down for 2 to 3 hours after meals. Choose baking or steaming over deep frying. Avoid irritating spices (black pepper, chili, garlic). For constipation, increase both soluble fiber (oats, apples) and insoluble fiber (vegetable skins, nuts) with plenty of water. Consider over-the-counter stool softeners or laxatives.
Photo by David Trinks on Unsplash
Courtesy of The Cleveland Clinic and JAMA
