According to Dr. Natalie Azar, GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy work partly by slowing how quickly the stomach empties.
This delay helps people feel full for longer and naturally reduces food intake, but it can also increase the likelihood of nausea and a general sense of digestive slowdown.
Several specialists note that many patients unintentionally drink too little once their appetite drops, which can leave them dehydrated.
For that reason, Dr. Azar and endocrinologist Dr. Maria Daniela Hurtado Andrade emphasize the importance of maintaining adequate protein and fluid intake to help preserve muscle mass and keep energy levels stable during treatment.
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Foods that commonly cause discomfort
There is no formal list of prohibited foods, but physicians consistently observe certain patterns.
Highly fatty meals, especially fried foods or dishes heavy in butter, tend to stay in the stomach longer and often trigger nausea, explains Dr. Christopher McGowan, an obesity-medicine specialist.
He adds that spicy dishes or very sweet snacks can also cause discomfort, particularly for people who already deal with reflux.
In addition, raw fibrous vegetables, fruits with tough textures, and large portions of bread can create bloating or stomach pain when digestion is already slowed.
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Carbonated drinks may intensify that effect because of the added gas.
Reactions vary widely from person to person, but dense, greasy or quickly absorbed foods appear to cause the most trouble early in treatment.
Finding a manageable daily eating pattern
The doctors quoted in TODAY.com stress that most patients need time to test what works for them.
Many report feeling better when they eat smaller portions throughout the day and choose milder, easier-to-digest meals when nausea peaks.
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Cooked vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and moderate portions of dairy products are often tolerated more comfortably than raw, coarse alternatives.
Consistent hydration is equally important.
The experts encourage patients to view the reduced appetite these medications create as an opportunity to build steadier eating habits, not as a rigid rulebook, and to gradually find the foods that fit their body best.
Source: TODAY.com.
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