GLP-1 weight loss medications have been nothing short of game-changing in the world of weight loss as they provide new hope for millions of Americans who are carrying too much weight.
By the numbers, more than 40% of adults in the United States have obesity, to say nothing of the millions more who are overweight. These numbers explain why a recent poll found that one in eight adults in the US say they use GLP-1 drugs, many for weight loss and others for diabetes.
While these medications give you an invaluable leg up in your weight loss efforts, they work even better if you take a few supportive steps to maximize your weight loss and your health.
To explain these steps, we turn to weight management and wellness expert Sean P. Nikravan, MD, who has been treating patients with GLP-1 medications for some time now. Based on this experience, Dr. Nikravan can share a few great strategies for making the most out of your GLP-1 weight loss medications.
We want to preface our discussion with an important message about losing weight with GLP-1 medications.
These drugs can work quickly, and many patients are shedding unhealthy weight that they've been carrying for years. The flipside to this success is that many patients quickly gain the weight back once they stop taking GLP-1 medication.
Our goal is to offset this weight rebound by promoting healthier habits while you take GLP-1 drugs. By doing this, you lay a much stronger foundation to help you keep the weight off long into the future, especially if you follow these strategies.
With GLP-1 medications, you won’t be eating as much, so what you do eat matters more than ever. When you lose weight, you can lose both fat and muscle, so it’s important to make sure that you get enough protein into your diet to preserve your muscle.
Great sources of protein include:
If you’re wondering about protein powders, know that these can often be full of fillers and fat. Make sure you read the label carefully so you’re not taking in protein along with a bunch of unnecessary calories.
Just as critical as protein, fiber helps with digestion and cleaning out your digestive tract. When you take GLP-1 medications, your digestion process can slow, so it’s important that you eat foods full of fiber to help ease digestion.
Fiber-rich foods include:
As you can see, there’s some good crossover between high-protein and high-fiber foods.
Because you’re eating much less while you’re on GLP-1 medications, you need to focus on only those foods that support your health and weight loss. We’ve covered fiber and protein, but other vitamins and nutrients are also important.
Make sure that every bite you eat contains healthy vitamins and nutrients. If you’re falling short, a great way to make up the difference is through our premium nutrient IV infusions.
A smart way to avoid regaining weight is to boost the muscle in your body. The reality is that muscle burns fat better than anything, so any step you take to build muscle supports your weight loss now and in the long term.
One of the side effects of GLP-1 medications is that they can lead to constipation. To offset this, we recommend that you focus on hydration and drink plenty of water each day — at least 8-10 glasses.
If you practice these weight loss principles alongside taking your GLP-1 medication, you can set yourself on a much more sustainable and healthy path.
To learn more or if you want to get started on a detailed and customized weight management plan, contact Sean P. Nikravan, MD, in Newport Beach, California, to schedule an appointment today.
