What to Eat on Semaglutide

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in the GLP-1 medications pharmaceutically branded by Novo Nordisk, known as  Ozempic and Wegovy. These medications are very helpful for weight loss. They may be prescribed to those with obesity and also other medical issues related to excess weight, such as type 2 diabetes.

Some people may use semaglutide in hopes of it being an effective weight loss treatment on its own. It does not replace a healthy lifestyle diet and exercise.  Semaglutide is most beneficial when patients also follow a healthy eating pattern. Read on to learn about what to eat when prescribed semaglutide.

How does Semaglutide work?

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. These medications work by mimicking hormones involved in regulating feelings of fullness. In other words, they can help you feel full and decrease your appetite.  The second thing Semaglutide does is delay gastric emptying. This means food can sit in the stomach slightly longer before emptying into the small intestine. It also has a modulating impact on insulin.

Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may also improve obesity-related issues by stimulating weight loss through these mechanisms. Ozempic was originally approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes and has been shown to lower hemoglobin A1C levels. Other possible benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists include reduced blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar.  We are also following many studies showing that Semagutide has the potential to help with Alzheimer’s progression, Parkinson’s progression, inflammation, and addiction.

Best Semaglutide Diet for Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance

Due to the mechanism of action of slowing down gastric emptying, Semaglutide could potentially lead to gastrointestinal (GI)–related side effects. Overeating or eating foods that are harder to digest and heavy could lead to nausea, stomach pain, gas, bloating, or burping,

Eating small amounts of nutrient-dense foods is the way to go. I have created a very specific dietary protocol for my patients on Semaglutide. This allows them to use Semagutide as a “tool” to help with the behavioral aspect of eating while my patients work on shifting into a healthy lifestyle diet. This is the diet they will continue to follow 85-90% of the time in life to maintain their losses.

Eating a balanced diet that provides enough calories and features nutritious foods that don’t exacerbate GI symptoms helps prevent and manage the side effects of semaglutide. As a result, people may be more likely to stick with the medication and experience successful weight loss.  Luckily, we don’t see too many side effects in our patient population and I do think part of that is the healthier diet we ask our patients to follow.

The recommended diet for patients on Semaglutide is similar to the suggestions for a healthy diet in general: lots of non-starchy vegetables, occasional fruits (apples and berries preferably), clean/lean proteins, and healthy fat sources. High-fat foods, especially those with unhealthy fats like fried foods and ice cream, should be limited. They are harder to digest and may contribute to GI symptoms. Alcohol and foods high in added sugar may also trigger side effects.

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