What to Eat When Taking Ozempic, Wegovy, and Other GLP-1 Medications

Do you know how to get the most out of GLP-1 medications? Doctors prescribe Ozempic and Wegovy—both GLP-1 medications—for a range of reasons, including to help people manage their weight. But without healthy eating habits, these drugs can lead to nutrient deficiencies, constipation, and other unpleasant side effects. Find out the best way to support your health and help animals simultaneously.

What Are GLP-1 Medications?

GLP-1 medications like semiglutides Ozempic and Wegovy mimic the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar and hunger. By slowing digestion and reducing appetite, these medications can help people feel full despite eating less. Because these medications reduce how much and how often you eat, the quality of the food you choose matters more than ever. That’s why people taking GLP-1 medications should focus on eating plenty of vegan whole foods.

Why Going Vegan Is the Best Way to Benefit From Ozempic

Going vegan is the best change you can make to contribute to health and weight loss while taking a GLP-1. Eating vegan, whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds naturally provides the fiber and hydration your body needs to function at its best. Because these medications slow digestion and suppress appetite, constipation is a common side effect. Hydrating, high-fiber vegan foods can help keep your digestion moving and reduce discomfort. Barley, oats, beans, and cruciferous vegetables may even boost your body’s natural GLP-1 production, which could help you maintain your weight after coming off GLP-1 medications.

Even without medications like Ozempic, going vegan and focusing on whole foods can help many people reach and maintain a healthy weight. Whole plant foods are naturally filling yet lower in calories and saturated fat, so eating plenty of them is a sustainable way to manage weight while improving overall health. Plus, you’ll be sparing animals exploited for their flesh, eggs, and milk.

Foods to Eat When Taking Ozempic, Wegovy, and Other GLP-1 Medications

• High-fiber whole grains: Barley, oats, brown rice, and quinoa support gut health and may help your body produce more GLP-1 naturally.
• Legumes and beans: Lentils, chickpeas, and black beans are filling, protein-packed options that aid digestion.
• Fruits and vegetables: Berries, peaches, leafy greens, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts add hydration and essential vitamins.
• Nuts and seeds: Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds offer healthy fats, fiber, and protein to keep you satisfied longer.

Foods to Avoid When Taking GLP-1 Medications

One possible side effect of GLP-1 medications is nausea. This side effect can be made worse by eating foods high in fat or highly processed foods, because our bodies take longer to digest them. To limit side effects, steer clear of:

• Fried foods like French fries and fried chicken
• Cow’s milk and other animal-derived foods like cheese and butter
• Foods high in saturated fat—like animal flesh, lard, cream, and cheese
• Highly processed foods like bacon, deli meat, and cheese
• Junk foods such as chips, candy, cakes, and sodas

These products can do more than cause discomfort. Since many of these high-fat, highly processed foods contain cow’s milk (also processed) and other animal-derived ingredients, eating them also harms animals and increases your risk of developing ailments like heart disease.

Just like humans, cows only produce milk to nurse their babies. On dairy farms, workers repeatedly forcibly impregnate cows. They tear newborn calves from their moms shortly after birth to steal and sell their milk. Some cows call for their calves for days after being traumatically separated. By refusing to purchase things that contain cow’s milk, you’re standing up to the dirty dairy industry and making a healthier choice for your body.

Go Vegan for Animals and Your Health

GLP-1 medication. Plus, going vegan can help you maintain the GLP-1 results after stopping use of the medication. You won’t just be changing your life when you do—you could save nearly 200 animals every year when you’re vegan. Medications like Ozempic and Wegovy can help reduce hunger, but they work best alongside lasting compassionate decisions like going vegan. Talk with your doctor about your decision to be vegan while taking these medications.

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