Thoughts on what you eat while on semaglutide and when you stop the medication.

In layman’s terms, first, it slows down the emptying of the stomach, which can lead to a feeling of fullness and reduce food intake. Second, it reduces appetite and cravings, which can further contribute to decreased calorie intake. Third, it increases insulin sensitivity, which can improve blood sugar control and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Finally, it may also promote the burning of fat for energy, which can lead to weight loss.(1)

First, semaglutide is not a miracle drug but a tool that helps suppress your appetite, which helps you reduce your caloric intake. However, once you stop taking it, if you revert to bad eating habits – both quality and quantity of food – you will gain the weight back.

 

While you are in the weight management program, you should be retraining yourself on what portions and types of food you should be eating. It is not an accident that we repeatedly hear that two of the best diets in the world are the Mediterranean(2) and Blue Zone(3) diets. As such, as you progress on your journey, we recommend:

Low-starch vegetables like

Asparagus

Beans

Brussel sprouts

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Eggplant

Green leafy vegetables (i.e., collard greens, kale)

Mushrooms

Okra

Onions

Peppers

Sprouts

Sugar snap peas

Tomatoes

Whole grain foods

Nuts

Protein-rich foods like

Chicken, fish, eggs

Chickpeas

Lentils

Oats

Drink plenty of water

Reduce or stop alcohol

Avoid:

Refined grains and sugar

Foods with added sugar

Fried foods

Remember, this is a journey to reduce your weight, feel better, and live better and healthier going forward.