Semaglutide Diet Plan: What to Eat While Taking this Weight Loss Medication — Emerson Medical (2024)

FAQs

Semaglutide Diet Plan: What to Eat While Taking this Weight Loss Medication — Emerson Medical? ›

The recommended diet for patients on semaglutide is similar to the suggestions for a healthy diet in general: lots of non-starchy vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fat sources. High-fat foods, especially those with unhealthy fats like fried foods and ice cream, should be limited.

It is recommended that those following the semaglutide diet consume mostly whole food sources such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins like eggs, nuts, and legumes. Avoiding processed or high sugar snacks or beverages is a must, as these can quickly derail the progress made with this program.

Choose Nutritious Foods: While taking semaglutide, avoid foods that are tough to digest, such as fatty, processed, and sugary foods. Instead, focus on nutritious options to help you feel energized and satisfied. Choose whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins like eggs, nuts, and legumes.

Lean Protein is Vital to Your Diet While Taking Semaglutide

Adding protein to your diet helps reduce blood sugar spikes post-meal, enhancing your feeling full to avoid overeating. A good guideline is to fill ¼ of your plate with protein.

Other medicines—Do not take other medicines during the time you are using semaglutide unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes nonprescription medicines such as aspirin, and medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems.

Consume a variety of proteins like seafood, lean meats, and poultry or eggs. Choose unsalted nuts and seeds as healthy snack options for extra protein. Limit foods and beverages with high or added sugars, saturated fats, and salt. Avoid alcohol consumption.

We did have patients who lost a moderate amount but we also had patients losing over 15 pounds and even over 20 pounds in the first month!

9 Foods to Avoid on a Semaglutide-based Diet:

Opt for water, herbal teas, or beverages sweetened with non-caloric alternatives. Highly Processed Foods – Foods high in refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, pastries, and packaged snacks, should be avoided.

High-glycemic fruits such as pineapple, mango, bananas, and watermelon should be avoided if possible. High-glycemic veggies like starchy potatoes and sweet corn should also be reduced if not completely avoided, when taking Semaglutide.

What vitamins should I take while taking semaglutide? ›

If you experience nausea while using semaglutide, the manufacturer of Wegovy and Ozempic recommends eating bland, low fat foods such as crackers, toast, and rice and focusing on foods that contain water, such as soup and gelatin.

Prioritize complex carbohydrates: Complex carbohydrates, like brown rice, oats, quinoa, and wholemeal spaghetti, are digested and absorbed more slowly (than refined carbohydrates) into the bloodstream, producing an associated slower, lower rise in blood sugar levels. Fill ¼ of your plate with complex carbohydrates.

The recommended diet for patients on semaglutide is similar to the suggestions for a healthy diet in general: lots of non-starchy vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fat sources. High-fat foods, especially those with unhealthy fats like fried foods and ice cream, should be limited.

Activities like walking, swimming, cycling, and light resistance exercises can effectively complement the weight loss effects of semaglutide without overly straining the body.

"You may have a decreased appetite, but inadequate intake can equally equate to fatigue, malaise or dizziness, among other more serious issues like malnutrition," Dr. Worley says. "Semaglutide also leads to a decrease in the rate of gastric emptying, and so we need to account for this, as well.

As is always the case with weight loss, the most important factor is to be consuming fewer calories than you burn. However, typically the recommended calorie intake for semaglutide patients is between 1,000 and 1,800 calories per day.

No foods are completely prohibited when taking Semaglutide. However, some foods should be reduced or avoided altogether if possible. This is because certain foods can increase Semaglutide side effects such as bloating, nausea, and abdominal cramping.

So, there's no evidence that semaglutide can work sustainably in the long term without us also eating a healthy diet, getting active, and improving our emotional health.