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 using 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 Does Saxenda® or Wegovy® Weight Loss Medication 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 explanation will provide a basic understanding of why you must also follow a controlled diet.
Both these medications work in similar manners but contain different prescription drugs; however, doctors have been using both for years under different brand names to treat type 2 diabetes.
Both medications simulate a naturally occurring hormone in your body (GLP-1) that is responsible for the way your body produces and distributes insulin. Thus, they are 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 the 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 ingests and processes food, converting it into energy for us to function and survive. Let’s face it, our bodies often weren’t designed to use the food we eat.
Think about a car. 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 will run, and how much damage do you think it will do?
Refined sugar and processed foods overload our bodies, as they were not designed to process them. The breakdown can come in the form of obesity and related illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, etc.
How does Saxenda® or Wegovy® Weight Loss Medication Help?
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 individual with a higher weight 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® Weight Loss Medication
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 meds control appetite, and boost metabolism. You must commit to low-cal, exercise as advised. You must commit to following a low-calorie, low-sugar diet and getting 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 avoiding 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).
Increasing physical exercise can exacerbate low blood sugar, so it is important to include proteins and complex carbohydrates in your diet to maintain 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.
Which Foods To Avoid?
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:
- Fried Food.
- Processed Food.
- Foods are high in saturated fat.
- Fast food or unhealthy restaurant foods.
- Carbonated drinks (sodas) and other sugary drinks.
- Sugar-laden foods such as cake, cookies, and chocolate.
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 filling and stabilize blood sugar. 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 you can include in a Wegovy or Saxenda meal plan.
10 Tips to Get the Best Results
- Avoid drinking alcohol.
- Stay hydrated. Drink at least 64 oz of water a day.
- Eat whole foods (foods that do not have a list of ingredients) and avoid processed foods.
- Make sure you get in your exercise. Walking is a low-impact exercise that yields high results.
- Eat slowly – this gives your brain time to tell your body that you are full so you do not overeat.
- Stay on a consistent schedule. Take Saxenda daily at the same time. Take Wegovy weekly on the same day.
- Be mindful of portion control. Sometimes using a smaller plate will help keep you from taking too much food.
- Avoid purchasing food or beverages that you are not supposed to eat. This way, you won’t have access to them and you 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.
- Avoid getting bored of eating the same things by getting creative with your food choices. Explore low-calorie recipes online or join a social media group dedicated to healthy eating and weight loss.
Combine medication with a healthy diet and exercise for optimal results. Struggling with weight? Contact IBI Healthcare Institute for tailored medical weight loss programs. Our team provides ongoing support for your successful weight loss journey.
