Feb 6, 2023
9 min read

How to Lose Weight on Ozempic: Foods to Avoid and Nutritional Rules

freezer-foods
foods not to eat with ozempic

Do you know that Ozempic helps to lose weight? Have you been taking it for months but do not see results? Do you think that the drug does not work? Most likely, the reason lies in the incorrect diet. Many continue to adhere to old food habits and do not know that the drug’s effectiveness decreases unless you correct your diet. For the treatment to be effective, there is no way to do it without nutrition correction. How to change your diet, and do you need to give up some food?

What is Ozempic, and can you lose weight on it?

Ozempic is an injection drug developed to treat type 2 diabetes that is not sufficiently controlled. Its manufacturer is Novo Nordisk. The drug is used for:

  • Control of blood sugar level;
  • Reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies.

The drug can be used both in monotherapy and in addition to other medications.

Does the drug promote weight loss? Studies using semaglutide, which is the active ingredient of Ozempic, have shown its effectiveness for weight loss. The average weight loss for 68 weeks was 14.9%. So with Ozempic, you can lose weight.

How does Ozempic work?

The active substance of Ozempic is a semaglutide that belongs to the category of glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1). It’s a hormone produced in the intestine in response to food. Mimicking the natural hormone, semaglutide stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin and thus reduces blood sugar. Thus, when taking Ozempic, hunger is reduced, as GLP-1 is also involved in regulating appetite.

This «side effect» can be used to your advantage if you have excess weight. But don’t think you can just lie on the couch enjoying your favourite pastries and lose weight. To part with the hateful kilograms, you must reconsider your diet and eating pattern in general.

What foods to avoid while taking Ozempic

How to change your diet to lose weight on Ozempic? We recommend that you remove from your menu a number of products that may reduce the effectiveness of the drug. Here’s the list of foods not to eat with Ozempic.

  • Foods containing transfats;
  • Sweet dishes and beverages;
  • Alcohol.

What happens if unwanted products remain in your diet? First of all, you may face increased side effects. In addition, all these products promote weight gain and prevent you from getting rid of extra pounds. If you are afraid that you will not be able to find a replacement, contact our specialists, and we will prepare a full menu of tasty and useful dishes for you.

Can you combine Ozempic and fatty foods?

Fatty foods are believed to be taboo for anyone who wants to lose weight. But you do not need to completely abandon them if you take Ozempic. It is crucial to pay attention to the quality of the consumed fat.

The diet may contain vegetable products, including oils, nuts and seeds, except rapeseed, a proven carcinogen.

In this case, fried, processed, and confectionery products containing a large amount of transfats and omega-6 are excluded from the diet.

Sugary foods and drinks and Ozempic

Foods and drinks containing sugar are generally contraindicated for people with type 2 diabetes and are restricted to use by those who want to lose weight. They contribute to high blood sugar, while treatment suggests a decrease.

For weight loss, it is important to avoid spikes in blood glucose, which provokes hunger and overeating. By keeping glucose low with Ozempic, you can get rid of hunger and lose weight effectively. Sweet foods in the diet, on the contrary, will contribute to an increase in glucose levels, which will negate the effect of the drug.

We also recommend that you take a close look at the composition of the products because today, hidden sugar can be found in the most unexpected places, such as sausages or cheese.

Can you combine alcohol with Ozempic?

Do I have to give up alcohol while taking Ozempic? Although there is no strict ban, we still recommend not drinking alcohol or minimising it. Why?

The thing is, alcohol helps to reduce blood sugar. Since semaglutide has a similar effect, its action may be intensified against the background of alcohol. This can lead to a sharp drop in blood sugar and unpleasant health effects in people with type 2 diabetes.

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What to eat on Ozempic

If you take Ozempic and want to lose weight, you can not do without a healthy diet. It is important to limit sugar use and control the products in which it is hidden. We consider these points when developing a nutrition plan, including healthy foods on the menu. The main goal of the diet is to maintain low blood sugar. What are the best foods to eat on Ozempic?

  • Low-sugar fruits (green apples, oranges, grapefruit);
  • Non-starch vegetables (broccoli, spinach, asparagus, carrot, beet, cabbage);
  • Legumes (beans, lentils);
  • Lean meat (chicken, turkey);
  • Low-fat fish varieties;
  • Whole grain products (bread, pasta, cereals);
  • Seeds and nuts;
  • Products with high content of useful fats (olive oil, avocado).

How to eat while on Оzempic: few tips

In addition to recommendations for diet and foods to avoid when taking the drug, there are recommendations for how to eat to reduce the severity of side effects and increase the drug effectiveness. If you are suffering from nausea or other unpleasant symptoms from the part of the gastrointestinal tract, try to stick to our tips:

  • do not hurry while eating;
  • reduce portion volume;
  • give up spices and foods that are hard to digest, increasing the load on the digestive tract;
  • give preference to clean water at room temperature.

These measures will reduce stress on the digestive tract and eliminate nausea.

Who can take Ozempic

Although the drug was developed to treat type 2 diabetes, TGA notes its off-label use to treat conditions unrelated to high blood sugar.

The drug is not officially approved in Australia for treating obesity and excess weight, but the semaglutide contained in it has received such status. Thus, Ozempic can be used by those who do not suffer from diabetes. Given the drug’s mechanism of action, aimed at reducing blood glucose, it helps to control appetite and fight obesity.

FAQ

  • Can I eat carbs on Ozempic?
    Yes, you can consume carbohydrates while taking Ozempic. But it is important to choose the right products. As a source of the right carbohydrates, we recommend including cereals, not sweet fruits, pulses and whole-grain products. Also, try to adhere to the rules of balanced nutrition.
  • What diet should I follow on Ozempic?
    The main requirement for a diet when taking Ozempic is to restrict or completely avoid sweet and fatty foods. Therefore, choosing a diet requires a careful approach. For example, the LCHF diet implies the consumption of a large number of fats, and FODMAP entails eliminating a number of carbohydrate-containing products with the preservation of fat in the diet. Dash diet that limits the use of fat and sweet foods can be helpful for heart health. However, the best effect will be achieved by an individual nutrition plan, which we will develop personally for you.
  • What happens if you eat too much with Ozempic?
    If you overeat while taking Ozempic, you increase the digestive tract load, leading to increased side effects such as swelling and nausea. To avoid this, eat small portions of food and adjust your diet.
HayleyLiew

written by

Hayley Liew

Nutritionist

“Casey is a specialist committed to helping you look, feel, and perform your best via education and simplification of the most critical aspects of your nutritional health ”

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