Today we are going to look at Saxenda and Wegovy and discuss how to experience the most success in your weight loss journey: what foods to avoid while on Saxenda or Wegovy, what foods to eat, and more.
Saxenda® and Wegovy® can be very beneficial to the weight loss efforts of patients who combine them with a healthy diet and exercise routine. Under the supervision of a qualified doctor, these FDA-approved prescription weight loss medications can help patients lose up to 16% of their total body weight. Weight loss medications are effective only when combined with patient lifestyle changes that include dietary restrictions and daily exercise.
How Do Weight Loss Medications Like Saxenda® and Wegovy® Work?
Let’s take a minute and learn a bit about the history of Saxenda and Wegovy and how these two medications work to help patients lose weight. This will give a basic understanding of why a controlled diet also must be followed.
Both these medications work in similar manners but contain different prescription drugs; however, both have been used for years under different brand names to treat type 2 diabetes.
Both medications simulate a naturally occurring hormone in the body (GLP-1) that is responsible for the way insulin is produced and distributed. Thus, the reason: it is used to treat type 2 diabetes.
Patients who suffer from type 2 diabetes must watch what they eat in addition to taking medication to help control their blood sugar levels. These patients noticed that when regulating their diet and taking these medications, they didn’t feel hungry as often and they naturally lost weight.
Clinical trials were done with these medications on selection of people who did not have type 2 diabetes and showed great success. As a result, the FDA approved Saxenda in 2014 and Wegovy in 2021 for use in treating obesity.
Getting the Best Results with Saxenda® or Wegovy®
To get the best results from a medical weight loss program it is important to understand that the medication will not work alone. It will take dedication to long-term lifestyle changes used in tandem with the medication to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Our bodies are remarkable in that they have built-in systems that help regulate all the different systems and “inner workings”. Our digestive system was created to ingest and process food converting it into energy so we can function and survive.
Let’s face it, the food we eat is often not what our bodies were designed to use. Think about a car. In order for a car to run and continue to work properly, it needs some type of fuel and a certain measure of ongoing maintenance. What would happen if we put kool-aid in the gas tank? How long do you think the car would run and how much damage do you think would be done?
Our bodies were not designed to process refined sugar and processed foods and therefore break down when exposed to an overabundance. The breakdown can come in the form of obesity and related illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, etc.
How Does Saxenda or Wegovy Help with Weight Loss
When we eat simple carbohydrates, our digestive system breaks them down and turns them into sugar which goes directly into the bloodstream. When the level of sugar rises too high in the bloodstream, the pancreas makes insulin and releases it to help control the sugar by converting it to energy or storing it out of the bloodstream (turning it into fat).
Taking a medication like Saxenda Or Wegovy that stimulates additional insulin production will help move the sugar out of the bloodstream faster and keep it from converting into fat.
Often, when a diabetic obese individual loses a significant amount of weight, their type 2 diabetes goes into remission. This happens because of the lifestyle changes they make in their diets and physical activity. They eat healthier foods, cutting out sugar and processed foods, and their bodies begin to function as intended.
Exercise Is Important while Taking Saxenda or Wegovy
Another thing that has a significant effect on blood sugar levels is exercise. Using different muscles prompts the absorption of sugar from the bloodstream and converts it to energy.
Exercising regularly can help keep blood sugar levels regulated. Intense workouts or extended physical activity can lower blood sugar levels for several hours even when you are at rest.
Weight Loss Medications Can Help Boost Weight Loss Potential
Weight loss medications are intended to be used as a tool to help control appetite, prolong the feeling of “being full”, and boost the metabolism. The medication will do its part and you must do yours if you want to get the best results with Wegovy or Saxenda.
You must be committed to following a low-calorie, low sugar diet and get the recommended amount of exercise as outlined by your weight loss doctor.
It is important to understand how the medication works so you will be able to use it to your advantage in losing weight and to avoid any unpleasant side effects. One of the common side effects experienced by a non-diabetic individual taking Saxenda or Wegovy for weight loss purposes is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Low blood sugar can be exacerbated through the increase in physical exercise so it is important to include proteins and complex carbohydrates in your diet to keep a healthy balance. Your doctor and nutritionist will support your weight loss journey and provide you with an outline for a healthy diet that works with Saxenda and Wegovy.
Foods to Avoid When Taking Wegovy or Saxenda
To be successful in losing weight while taking Wegovy or Saxenda it is important to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Some foods to avoid include:
- Sugar-laden foods such as cake, cookies, chocolate, etc;
- Fried foods;
- Foods high in saturated fat;
- Processed foods;
- Carbonated drinks (sodas) and other sugary drinks;
- Fast food or unhealthy restaurant foods.
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What to Eat When Taking Saxenda or Wegovy
It is important to follow the recommended dietary guidelines provided by your weight loss doctor when taking Saxenda or Wegovy.
Usually, patients are given a daily calorie limit, somewhere around 2,000-2,500. It is important to not only consider the calorie content of what you are eating but the nutritional content as well. Something may have 150 calories but is it going to keep you feeling full for a significant amount of time? What effect is it going to have on your blood sugar? Is it providing a valuable vitamin or nutrient? These questions should be considered when creating your Wegovy or Saxenda diet plan.
Healthy choices that are essential in a balanced diet are:
Protein-Rich Foods
Consuming enough protein in our diets is essential to our health. In addition to supporting almost every function in our bodies, foods that are rich in protein help us feel full longer which helps facilitate a healthy body weight.
Vitamin-Rich Vegetables and Fruits
Vegetables and fruits are full of nutrients and are naturally low in fat. Choose a variety of vitamin-rich options to include in your diet.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are high in fiber and complex carbs which help you feel full longer and will not send your blood sugar to the roof. Check the label to ensure it has 3 or more grams of fiber per serving as well as essential nutrients.
The following chart outlines many healthy food choices that can be included in a Wegovy or Saxenda meal plan.
Healthy Foods to Eat While Taking Saxenda Or Wegovy Chart
| Foods High in Protein | Whole Grains |
|---|---|
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| Vitamin-Rich Vegetables and Fruits | Vitamin and Nutrient-Rich Fruits |
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10 Tips To Help Get The Best Results With Wegovy or Saxenda
- Stay on a consistent schedule. There is not a certain time or best time of day to take Saxenda as long as you take it every day at or around the same time.. There is not a best time to take Wegovy as long as you take it once a week on the same day at about the same time;
- Make sure you get in your exercise! Walking is a low-impact exercise that yields high results;
- Be mindful of portion control. Sometimes using a smaller plate will help keep you from taking too much food;
- Eat slowly – this gives your brain time to tell your body that you are full so you do not overeat;
- Be creative with your food choices so you do not get bored of eating the same things. Find low-calorie recipes online or join a social media group that is dedicated to healthy eating and weight loss;
- Stay hydrated! Drink at least 64 oz of water a day;
- Do not purchase food or beverages that you are not supposed to eat. This way you will not have access to them and won’t be tempted;
- Spend some time prepping fruits and veggies so they are ready to eat and easily accessible. Cut up carrot sticks and sliced cucumbers make great snacks when the munchies hit;
- Eat whole foods (foods that do not have a list of ingredients) and avoid processed foods;
- Avoid drinking alcohol.
When following a medical weight loss program, it is important to combine the medication with a healthy diet and physical exercise for the best weight loss results.If you have been struggling with weight gain and have been unsuccessful in losing weight using diet and exercise alone, please contact IBI Healthcare Institute. We offer comprehensive medical weight loss programs individually tailored for our patients. Our team of medical professionals are available to provide ongoing support to help your weight loss journey be successful. Contact us today for a consultation and learn more about how a medical weight loss program can help you lose weight and keep it off.
