Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonist medications for weight loss are helping some people to get to a healthier weight for sure. They are life-savers for some but may not be suited for all of us.
In addition, conscientious doctors prescribing these medications recommend working with a registered dietitian to help correctly balance what to eat on Ozempic and other weight loss medications to avoid malnutrition. There are some concerns I have about these drugs like Ozempic for menopause weight gain that I feel need to be understood and considered.
Body composition
You lost some weight. You may not realize it but you also lost a drastic amount of your muscle mass along with it. Why does this matter? Women are already at risk of diminishing muscle mass in perimenopause and menopause. Eating the right amount of protein and keeping up with your strength training will help to control this muscle loss.
Bone Health
Yes these meds lead to a significant loss of weight but the muscle loss that accompanies this weight reduction can be bad for your bones. Again, you need to fit in protein foods like cottage cheese, hemp seeds, chicken, tofu, eggs, and whey protein powder to preserve and build lean mass.
Adequate Nutrition
Are you still getting the amount of protein and other essential nutrients that your body needs? These drugs decrease your appetite. You’ll need to plan the food you eat carefully while taking ozempic for menopause weight loss. Your muscles and the rest of your body need to be nourished by food. Every bite counts and even though you may not feel hungry your skin, hair, joints, eyes, brain, etc need nutrients to function properly.
Your Metabolism
Ultimately it’s your body composition and overall health that matter with any weight loss method. The muscle to fat ratio of your body determines your metabolic rate. If you lose too much muscle too quickly you send your body the signal to conserve energy. This means everything slows down. If you go back to eating the same amount of food you ate before the weight loss it will now be too much food. Similar to yo-yo dieting, you’ll need to decrease the food you eat just to stay at your new lower weight.
Ozempic and Menopause
You can see now how crucial it is to know what to eat on Ozempic and other weight loss medications. Exercise including strength training is a must also. You need a plan to nourish yourself to keep up your energy and you’ll need to keep moving for good muscle condition. Whether you need these medications to support better health with type 2 diabetes or you are electing to take them, make a solid nutrition and lifestyle plan so you can come out on the other side with a revving metabolism and a strong body.
Are you feeling like you need support and accountability for your wellness goals while on weight loss medications? Have you decided to opt out of weight loss meds and build better nutrition habits? Let’s have a conversation about your personal nutrition and lifestyle story. Schedule a call with me at your convenience!
