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5 Foods to Avoid While On Wegovy

5 Foods to Avoid While On Wegovy

5 Foods to Avoid While On Wegovy

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription injectable medication for adults who want to lose weight. Manufacturers recommend using this medication with a reduced-calorie meal plan.

Knowing which foods to eat and which ones to limit is important to achieve success.

Common side effects of this drug are upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, reflux, and vomiting. So, it is important to avoid foods that make this problem worse.

Disclaimer: This is my expert opinion as a registered dietitian and doctor in clinical nutrition. I based my opinion on extensive research and experience working with patients taking weight loss medications

How Wegovy Works

Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which means it works by mimicking the effects of a natural hormone that helps to control appetite. Wegovy helps to reduce appetite by sending signals to the brain that you are full. It also helps to slow down the emptying of your stomach, which can help you to feel full longer.

Wegovy was shown to help people lose an average of 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. It was also shown to be safe and well-tolerated, with the most common side effects being nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, and fatigue.

Foods to Avoid While on Wegovy

High-Fat Foods

There are a few reasons why high-fat foods should be avoided while on Wegovy. First, this medication can slow down the process of emptying your stomach, which can make it more difficult to digest fatty foods. This can lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Junk food

Second, high-fat foods can also be high in calories, both of which can make it more difficult to lose weight.

Last, these types of foods cause you to get full easily. This will likely cause you to eat less nutrient-dense foods which can cause nutrition deficiencies over time. 

Foods high in fat to avoid include:

  • Fried foods such as french fries, onion rings, and doughnuts
  • High-fat meats such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs, hamburgers
  • Processed foods with added fats such as chips
  • Ice cream and other desserts
  • Baked goods
  • Chocolate

High-Sugar Foods

There are several reasons why avoiding high-sugar foods is recommended while taking Wegovy.

High-sugar foods can cause spikes in blood sugar levels, counteracting the medication’s effects. In addition, foods high in sugar are typically calorie-dense and offer little nutritional value, leading to potential nutrition deficiencies.

Also, this medication reduces appetite, but high-sugar foods can stimulate hunger and cravings, undermining the medication’s appetite-suppressing effects.

Sugar cubes

Last, high-sugar foods are associated with poor gut health, increasing the side effects of the medication. Some high-sugar foods to avoid are: 

  • Candy
  • Cakes
  • Cookies
  • Doughnuts
  • Ice cream

Sugary Drinks

Beverages high in sugar can deliver a large amount of sugar in a single serving. The worst part is that sugary drinks don’t give the brain the satisfaction signals that come with most foods. This can cause a person to consume more calories without realizing it.

Soda

Be sure to note the amount of sugar in drinks you consume! One 20-ounce bottle of soda can have a whopping 69 grams of sugar. In comparison, a full-sized chocolate bar has only 44 grams.

In addition, the calories in drinks offer no nutritional value while at the same time, slowing down weight loss.

Examples of sugary drinks to avoid:

  • Soda
  • Juice
  • Sports drinks
  • Energy drinks
  • Sweetened coffee and tea
  • Milkshakes
  • Fruit punch
  • Kool-Aid
  • Gatorade

Fast Foods

It is important to avoid fast foods.

The processed foods found in fast foods are often high in calories, unhealthy fats, and added sugar.

This can make it more difficult to lose weight and can also contribute to other health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

French fries

Also, processed foods are often low in nutrients. This means that they may not provide your body with the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that it needs to stay healthy.

Processed foods are often addictive, which can make it difficult to break the habit of eating them, even if you are trying to lose weight.

Alcohol

The main concern with consuming alcohol while on  Wegovy is that it can lower blood sugar levels. Because of this, it should be consumed in moderation and only when your blood sugar is well-controlled. 

There are several ways that alcohol can hinder your weight loss efforts.

Just like in sugary drinks, the calories in alcoholic drinks add up quickly, especially if you like sugary cocktails.

Also, because alcohol decreases inhibitions, it is easier to overindulge with food and calorie-dense snacks while drinking.

Due to their sugar content, creamy drinks can make you feel full quickly and take the place of eating real food. This can, over time, create nutrition deficiencies.

Read more about drinking alcohol while on Wegovy.

Tips for a Healthy Diet on Wegovy

The importance of a balanced diet cannot be overstated. Eating a balanced diet will ensure that you get adequate nutrition while managing your weight.

For a full review of what to eat on Wegovy, check our blog post.

My Expert Opinion

It is true that all foods can fit into a healthy diet. However, it is important to remember that limiting or avoiding foods high in sugar and fat can make weight loss easier.

More importantly, eating a healthy diet while taking Wegovy potentially minimizes and helps manage some of the medication’s side effects.

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