Sometimes, when people have to take medicine, their meal plans and food selection should change. One of such changes happens when people take semaglutide. It's a powerful component in Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications. The most common products are Ozempic and Wegovy, as they can be taken in the form of injections or pills. The main goal of taking these products is to reduce the blood sugar level and avoid obesity and overweight. Still, the reason why you take this medicine doesn't matter in this case.
What matters is your diet during this period. What you eat during semaglutide can influence the blood sugar level and cause problems with weight management. Those who don't know about these nuances may have health issues and spend more time achieving weight loss goals, even though they use weight loss meal plans and stick to a workout program. So, what should you eat when taking semaglutide? Let's find out.
Consider this table with the most common options and recommendations on what to eat during the semaglutide course.
How Does the Semaglutide Work?
The first point to be discussed is how the semaglutide works. It's a receptor agonist and a GLP-1, which stands for glucagon-like peptide-1. The main goal of using this peptide is to regulate the feeling of fullness and decrease appetite, so you won't eat more than you need. Besides that, drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic also help your body deal with the issue of obesity. Also, they are actively used to treat type 2 diabetes, as patients feel the reduced blood pressure and blood sugar, as well as low cholesterol levels.
How Should You Change the Diet When Taking Semaglutide?
The main factor that makes people change their diet is the fact that semaglutide slows down the digestion. So, when you are on a course, consider avoiding foods with long digestion times. If you ignore this recommendation, consuming long-digesting foods may cause stomach pain, diarrhea, gas, and bloating. In this case, people may ask: how many calories do you need when taking semaglutide? The overall number of calories differs, and it will be individual for each person. You may need up to 2000–2500 calories, while another person may need 1200–1500 calories with the same level of activity.
Also, it's important to understand exactly what you eat. Specialists recommend focusing on non-starchy vegetables and fruits, lean protein like chicken and turkey, and using healthy sources of fats in your diet (peanut butter, nuts, olive oil, seeds, etc.). At the same time, you should limit high-calorie sweets and deserts like ice cream, chocolate, cookies, and so on. The same thing should be done with the alcohol, salty snacks, and other high-calorie processed foods. It may trigger side effects of semaglutide as well. Even though you combine diet and exercise, taking processed products will cause problems during the weight loss, causing nausea and other issues.
Sometimes, when people take peptides, they find it difficult to eat enough, causing the continuous feeling of hunger, as they don't get enough energy to keep up during the day. The best decision in this case is to eat many times during the day, taking small portions. Also, consider taking enough water during the day to stay hydrated. Feeling hydrated is important because it reduces hunger, so you won't be thinking of taking snacks or lemonade to ruin your appetite.
What to Eat to Support Blood Sugar Regulation?
Let's get specific about what to eat and look for options that meet specific goals. For example, if you focus on controlling the blood sugar level, you should know what foods are best to take. When preparing your meals, focus on the following categories:
Whole grains (brown rice, barley, quinoa, etc.)
Beans and chickpeas.
Avocado is a source of unsaturated fats.
Berries are a high-quality source of fiber.
When you are on a diet, it's always better to cook for yourself instead of buying pre-cooked meals. When you do it yourself, you know exactly what products you use, what proportions you have, and what volume you'll get. Still, if cooking is not an option and you still need high-quality foods to eat, get yourself a balanced meal plan. Our service offers a wide range of plans, including a diabetic meal plan that helps you regulate blood sugar levels and balance the intake of carbohydrates, protein, and fats.
A properly balanced and satisfying diet is possible when you take Ozempic or Wegovy as semaglutide peptides. You should focus on whole-grain and fiber-reach products, avoiding sweets, snacks, fried foods, snacks, and other foods high in calories. Also, keep in mind that your body will take some time to adapt to a new diet. Still, once this process is over, you can keep up with your normal activity.
FAQ
What is the daily protein rate when taking semaglutide?
Since you take a semaglutide, your daily protein intake is reduced, and your body may take less protein. Consider getting from 1.4 to 1.6 grams of protein per kg of your body weight.
What if you don't take enough calories during the semaglutide?
When not eating enough, you will have less energy, and your body will start losing muscles.
Is caffeine intake allowed when consuming semaglutide?
Caffeine intake affects blood sugar levels, which may not be good during the semaglutide consumption. With this, consider limiting the amount of caffeine from coffee, tea, and energy drinks.
