Medications like Wegovy can help people reach their weight loss goals, but eating a balanced diet alongside treatment is essential. The foods we eat can help maximise results and ease any side effects. Here are our experts’ tips to help create a Wegovy diet plan.

How Wegovy works

Wegovy is an injectable treatment that contains the drug semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. This type of drug mimics the action of a natural hormone in the body that regulates insulin production and blood sugar levels, helping to control appetite. 

It also slows gastric emptying, or the rate at which the stomach empties after eating. This promotes feelings of fullness, helping people reduce portion sizes and their overall calorie intake.

Clinical trials show that Wegovy can support weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes, like increased physical activity and a healthy diet. [1]

What to include in a diet when taking Wegovy

Eating a well-balanced diet is important to getting the most from Wegovy. Eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods to maintain a healthy relationship with food and eat enough calories to fuel the body.

These are our Wegovy diet tips:

Fibre + complex carbohydrates

Complex carbs digest slowly, which keeps blood sugar levels stable and increases feelings of fullness. They’re also rich in fibre, which keeps the digestive system healthy and helps alleviate side effects, like constipation.

Examples of complex carbohydrates: 

• Whole grains: whole wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa
• Legumes: lentils, peas, chickpeas, and beans
• Starchy vegetables: potatoes and sweet potatoes
• Fruits and leafy greens

Lean proteins

A protein-rich diet will help maintain muscle mass while losing weight. This supports activity levels and prevents strength loss. Eating plenty of protein also helps us feel satisfied after we eat. 

Examples of protein sources:

• Lean meats
• Fish and seafood
• Eggs
• Yoghurt and cheese
• Plant-based proteins, such as soya, beans, tofu, and tempeh

Healthy fats

Don’t cut all fats when taking Wegovy. Unsaturated fats can help improve cholesterol and reduce inflammation.

Healthy fat sources include:

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Dairy products, like yoghurt and cheese
• Eggs
• Avocado
• Oily fish
• Nuts and seeds

 Foods to avoid when taking Wegovy

There are also some foods that should be avoided when meal planning on Wegovy. To maximise results, avoid the following: 

High-fat foods

Foods containing lots of saturated fat tend to be high in calories, which can limit weight loss results. Avoid: butter, whole-fat cheese, processed meats and fried foods.

Ultra-processed foods

These are low in nutrients and often contain refined carbohydrates, which cause blood sugar spikes. Some examples are: sugary foods, white bread, boxed breakfast cereals and fizzy drinks.

Alcoholic drinks

Alcohol can cause blood sugar to fluctuate, which can interfere with weight loss medication.

It’s also best to avoid spicy or fatty foods when experiencing digestive side effects like diarrhoea, nausea, or stomach pain. Until these settle, eat bland foods to avoid causing further irritation to the stomach. 

Other Wegovy tips

• Wegovy can slow digestion, so it’s better to eat smaller, more frequent meals to keep energy levels up and minimise potential side effects.
• Staying in a calorie deficit, where more calories are burned than consumed, is essential for weight loss. Regular exercise helps. We recommend 30–60 minutes of light to moderate physical activity per day, like brisk walking or strength training.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day to ease side effects like nausea and constipation. 

Thinking about trying Wegovy?

Wegovy can help you reach your weight loss goals alongside a balanced diet. Need help on your weight loss journey? Find out what treatment is suitable for you on MedExpress.

References:

1. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2021 Feb 10;384(11):989–1002. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183