Maya Ferrer explains a balanced diet and how medications like Ozempic affect appetite.
Popular weight-loss drugs like Wegoby and Ozempic have changed the eating habits of many Americans, and as people taking these drugs reevaluate their relationship with food, diet experts are offering nutritional tips to help improve their health.
Registered dietitian Maya Ferrer spoke to “Good Morning America” about the complexities of a good diet and what to consider when taking semaglutide, the active ingredient in the GLP-1 receptor agonist.
“People taking this medication need to think about the nutrient density of the foods they eat,” she explained. “As your intake decreases, the nutritional value of the foods you eat becomes very important. Creating a balanced diet that includes protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates will help you get what your body needs. Food intake should be based on your current health status and your personal likes and dislikes.”
Nestle recently introduced a new line of frozen meals specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of people taking GLP-1 weight loss drugs.
But for Feller, there are practical steps people can take, such as incorporating basic ingredients that are packed with the nutrients dieters need, without having to opt for special products.
“Weight-loss drugs can result in rapid and significant weight loss for some people, along with decreased hunger and earlier satiety,” she said of people who lose their appetite or feel fuller sooner. “Rapid and significant weight loss can also result in a loss of lean body mass.”
Foods to Eat While Taking GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs
“To support rapid weight loss and lean body mass loss, be sure to consume adequate amounts of high-quality protein,” she suggested, “plus fiber from vegetables, fruits, beans, root vegetables, and ancient grains like fonio, millet, and quinoa, and stay hydrated.”
As with any diet or lifestyle change, always consult with your doctor before making any drastic changes.
“Multivitamins may be necessary to make up for nutritional deficiencies caused by eating less,” Feller added.
How food intake changes while taking weight loss medication
“The right amount varies from person to person,” says Ferrer. “Some people can snack on half an apple with some nut butter, while others feel full quickly. [a glass of] water. “
So, Ferrer said people should see this as “an opportunity to listen to their bodies.”
“Medications work faster than behavioral changes, so people may be surprised by changes in what and how much they can eat,” she said.
Focus on specific nutrients
For some people, it could be a sign that they have a “limited ability to eat protein-rich foods,” explained the Brooklyn-based nutritionist and cookbook author of “Eating from Our Roots.”
“I typically recommend a diet that includes three to four ounces of protein, six ounces of non-starchy vegetables, and three ounces of starch,” she said. “Many people are unable to consume a balanced diet while taking these medications.”
“The recommendation might change to a protein smoothie rich in vitamins and minerals and scrambled eggs with an ounce of vegetables,” Feller said.
Popular weight loss drugs and concerns about their impact on dieting
Feller’s concern about these drugs is that he has seen “people taking them without proper medical supervision,” and as a result, those taking these drugs “are not being cared for by a nutritionist and are more likely to be deficient in important nutrients that could be harmful in the long term.”
“What we eat is incredibly important, and even more so with this type of medicine,” she said. “The nutrient density of your diet impacts your gut health, your brain health, your bone health, your brain health, and so on.”
