Top Foods To Avoid When Taking Wegovy: Eat These Instead

‍Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription weight loss medication for adults and children over 12 years with excess weight.

It mimics a natural hormone that reduces appetite and increases feelings of fullness. 

The medication also helps reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke. 

While taking Wegovy, it’s important to be mindful of your food to maximize the medication’s effectiveness and minimize potential side effects. 

Read on for a complete guide on the best foods to eat while taking Wegovy and which foods are best to limit.

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Top Foods To Avoid When Taking Wegovy

Here is a list of foods that are best to limit or avoid while taking Wegovy.

Foods High In Saturated Fats

Saturated fats, commonly found in foods such as butter, full-fat cheese, and red meat, work against the effects of Wegovy by causing weight gain. 

Eating these foods also increases your levels of cholesterol and puts you at higher risk for cardiovascular events.

Wegovy works to decrease your risk of cardiovascular events.

Refined Carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates, like pasta, white bread, sugary cereals, and pastries, have little nutritional value and can cause significant changes in your blood sugar levels. 

These fluctuations in your blood sugar work against the appetite-regulating effects of Wegovy, causing you to feel more hungry. 

Eating too many refined carbohydrates is also associated with weight gain. 

Processed Foods

Highly processed foods often contain hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, flavoring agents, high amounts of sodium, and other artificial ingredients. 

Eating these foods is linked with weight gain and other health problems. 

Learning how to prepare meals without using processed foods is best while taking Wegovy.

Fried Foods

Fried foods are typically high in saturated fats, which can cause weight gain and increase your risk for cardiovascular events.

It’s best to limit your consumption of fried foods while on your weight loss journey with Wegovy.

Spicy Foods

Not everyone needs to avoid spicy foods while taking Wegovy, but if you’re experiencing heartburn, indigestion, nausea, or diarrhea, you may feel better avoiding these foods. 

It’s common for people taking Wegovy to experience those side effects.

Listen to your body, and if spicy foods seem to aggravate your digestive system, then it’s best to reduce or avoid them.

Sugary Drinks

Sugary drinks are one of the main ways Americans introduce excess sugar into their diets, which interferes with the benefits of Wegvoy. 

For example, frequently drinking sugary drinks is associated with weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other health conditions. 

For these reasons, opting for water, unsweetened tea, or sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice are better options when taking Wegovy.

Carbonated Drinks

Drinking carbonated drinks while taking Wegvoy may increase digestion discomfort. 

Carbonation can cause some people to feel bloated and have gas or belching.

However, these are also common symptoms of Wegovy. 

Alcohol

It’s important to use caution when drinking alcohol while taking Wegovy. 

While there’s no known interaction between alcohol and Wegovy, alcohol can cause blood sugar to drop too low in people with diabetes, which is also a possible side effect of Wegovy. 

It’s also possible that alcohol may enhance the digestive side effects of Wegovy, such as nausea, headache, fatigue, and dizziness. 

If you choose to drink while taking Wegovy, keep it limited to a minimal amount, and be sure to avoid drinking on an empty stomach. 

What To Eat Instead

Shifting your focus to eating balanced meals with nutrient-dense foods is best for your weight loss journey while taking Wegovy.

Nutrient-Dense Foods

Choosing nutrient-dense foods means getting the most nutritional value from every bite you consume. 

Nutrient-dense foods contain vitamins, minerals, lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. 

Eating these foods promotes your overall well-being, meets your nutritional needs, and helps you feel satisfied after your meals. 

Fruits And Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables contain many vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

They also help you feel full when they are part of your meal.

Consider starting your day with a fruit and veggie smoothie or omelet and have a snack like raw broccoli and carrot sticks with hummus or apple slices with peanut butter. 

For meals, try to fill half your plate with fruit and vegetables, such as a salad or roasted veggies, along with some fruit.

Eat a variety of fruits and veggies throughout the week to fulfill the nutrients your body needs.

Whole Grains

Unlike refined grains, whole grains contain more nutritional value, such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and may help reduce your risk of high cholesterol and heart disease. 

Examples of whole grains include:

• Whole wheat bread.
• Brown and wild rice.
• Oats.
• Whole rye.
• Buckwheat.
• Whole grain barley.
• Whole wheat pasta.
• Quinoa.
• Whole grain cornmeal.

Try to fill one-fourth of your place with whole grains for each meal. 

For example, choose brown rice over white rice and whole-wheat bread or pasta over white bread or pasta. 

Also, experiment with other whole grains like quinoa and barley in salads and side dishes. 

Lean Proteins

Protein is essential for muscle health and helps your meals satisfy your appetite by helping you feel full for longer. 

Lean proteins include:

• Chicken breast.
• Turkey.
• Tofu.
• Beans.
• Lentils.
• Fish.

Try to incorporate a variety of proteins into your meals and snacks throughout the week.

Consider options like grilled fish or chicken breast, tofu stir-fry, or lentil soup. 

When making your meals, plan on filling one-fourth of your plate with lean protein.

Healthy Fats

While saturated and trans fats can increase your risk of certain health conditions, healthy fats are essential for overall health. 

Foods with healthy fats include:

• Nuts and nut butters.
• Seeds.
• Fatty fish (tuna, salmon, sardines).
• Olive oil.
• Canola oil.
• Avocados. 

Be sure to incorporate some healthy fats into several of your weekly meals and snacks.

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Other Tips For Managing Wegovy Side Effects

When you start taking Wegovy, you may experience several side effects as your body adjusts to the medication. Several common side effects include:

• Nausea.
• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting. 
• Constipation.
• Stomach pain.
• Gas. 
• Bloating.

Here are several tips that may help your digestive system adjust:

• Stay hydrated.
• Eat small, frequent meals.
• Eat bland food like crackers, rice, and bananas when nauseous.
• Avoid fried foods.
• Be physically active. 

For more specific help, talk with a Nourish weight loss dietitian who can offer personalized advice and further strategies. 

If your side effects are interfering with your ability to perform your everyday tasks, be sure to talk with your prescribing provider. 

They may want to adjust your medication dose or try another medication for weight loss.

Takeaway

Wegovy is a medication doctors prescribe to help with weight loss. 

While taking this medication, it’s important to limit certain foods that work against the medication and to focus on eating nutrient-rich alternatives. 

Foods to prioritize include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. 

If you’re experiencing side effects, try eating smaller meals throughout the day and keeping yourself hydrated. 

However, if your side effects are interfering with daily activities, it’s recommended that you reach out to your medical provider. 

How A Dietitian Can Help

Navigating dietary changes while taking Wegovy may feel overwhelming, but with the help of a weight loss dietitian you can receive tailored nutritional information and personalized meal plans. 

Along with giving you nutritional guidance while taking Wegovy, your Nourish dietitian can help you learn and develop long-term strategies for healthy weight management that boost your overall health. 

They also offer ongoing support and guidance to help you stay on track. 

Find a Nourish Dietitian that accepts your insurance.