GLP-1 and Nutrition: What Changes with Ozempic-Type Drugs

a few Words about GLP-1 Drugs

In recent years, drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, which belong to the category of GLP-1 drugs, have been at the forefront of the scientific community – and beyond.

From treating type 2 diabetes to weight loss, these drugs seem to radically change the way we approach weight management and metabolic diseases. But what does this mean for nutrition?

GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) is a hormone naturally secreted in the intestine after a meal and plays an important role in regulating glucose and appetite. Ozempic-type drugs mimic the action of this hormone through the following key mechanisms:

• They slow down gastric emptying, which delays digestion and prolongs the feeling of fullness.
• They increase satiety and reduce hunger through action on the central nervous system.
• They enhance insulin secretion (depending on glucose levels).
• They suppress glucagon secretion, reducing glucose production by the liver.

This combination of actions makes them particularly effective for individuals with type 2 diabetes and for weight loss in cases of obesity.

What are the Key Nutritional Benefits and Challenges?

In recent years, the failure of most people to achieve and, more importantly, maintain long-term weight loss through diet and exercise has led to the recognition of obesity as a chronic, multifactorial disease that often requires pharmacological support.

GLP-1 type drugs have emerged as nutritional support tools, offering:

• Reduction of emotional hunger and “food noise” (obsessive thoughts about food).
• Enhancement of physiological satiety, facilitating adherence to weight loss programs.
• Stabilization of glucose and insulin levels, reducing hypoglycemic crises and energy “ups and downs” that lead to overeating.

In cases of obesity with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea, GLP-1 support can be crucial for achieving realistic, sustainable results that cannot be achieved with diet and willpower alone.

Benefits:

• Appetite control: Reduced hunger facilitates adherence to a hypocaloric plan.
• Glucose regulation: Diabetic patients achieve better glycemic control.
• Reduction of overeating episodes, especially for sweets and carbohydrates.

Challenges:

• Reduced overall food intake, with a potential risk of protein and essential micronutrient deficiencies.
• Nausea, constipation, and/or bloating, which make food intake difficult.
• Rapid weight loss without parallel support for muscle mass → risk of lean body mass loss.

Discontinuing GLP-1 type drugs (such as Ozempic or Wegovy) is a critical point in treatment, requiring special attention.

Although many patients achieve significant weight loss during treatment, maintaining this loss after discontinuation is often difficult without support.

Common phenomena after discontinuation:

• Weight regain: With the removal of the pharmacological “brake” on appetite and calorie intake, many people experience increased food cravings.
• Loss of metabolic adaptation: The body gets used to lower energy intake, and a sudden change can lead to metabolic dysfunction or dysregulation.
• Return to old habits: If healthy dietary and behavioral routines have not been established, a return to emotional eating, binge eating episodes, or irregular meals is likely.

The period after GLP-1 discontinuation must be accompanied by systematic nutritional and behavioral guidance, with the aim of:

• Maintaining weight loss through a healthy and balanced diet.
• Increasing protein intake and lean body mass.
• Developing nutritional self-awareness and skills, such as managing hunger and satiety without pharmacological assistance.
• Adopting long-term habits, such as regular physical activity, a consistent meal routine, and adequate hydration.

The dietitian can design an individualized transition plan, taking into account the new energy balance, personal needs, and preferences.

Discontinuing a GLP-1 type drug should not be seen as the end of the effort, but the beginning of conscious maintenance.

With the right support, education, and empowerment, weight loss can be maintained — not because the drug “holds” it, but because the body and mind have learned how to function more healthily and autonomously.

What Do the Latest Scientific Studies Say?

The latest scientific studies show that GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic, are highly effective in reducing body weight, with clinical studies reporting weight loss of 5-18%. However, studies also highlight several challenges and side effects associated with the use of these drugs.

Side Effects[1]
Frequent occurrence	Less frequent occurrence	Rare occurrence
Nausea	Indigestion	Gallbladder disease
Diarrhea	Headache	Pancreatitis
Vomiting	Dizziness	Acute kidney injury
Constipation	Hypoglycemia (in individuals with type 2 diabetes)	Hypersensitivity reactions
	Hair loss	Gastroparesis
	Fatigue
	Gastroesophageal reflux
	Belching
	Gastritis
	Abdominal distension
	Abdominal pain
	Flatulence

The following important challenges also emerge:

• Gastrointestinal side effects, which can affect individuals’ daily lives.
• Nutritional deficiencies, due to reduced caloric intake and potential reduced nutrient intake.
• Loss of muscle mass and bone density, which may require further attention.
• Low compliance and potential weight regain after discontinuation of treatment.
• High cost, which may limit the long-term use of these drugs.

The strategy for success seems to consist of combining medication with the adoption of a healthy and balanced diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

During medication, nutritional support is crucial:

• For managing adverse effects.
• Preventing nutrient deficiencies.
• Maintaining muscle and bone mass.

What is the Role of the Dietitian

Taking GLP-1 type drugs radically changes an individual’s relationship with food, and along with it, their nutritional needs, behaviors, and challenges also change.

At this point, the dietitian’s role is more essential than ever, not to restrict, but to guide, support, and prevent potential problems.

• Adjusting dietary goals based on reduced appetite, side effects, and activity level.
• Ensuring adequate protein intake to protect muscle mass — especially if rapid weight loss is observed.
• Strategic integration of small, frequent, and nutrient-dense meals, based on individual tolerance and preference.
• Monitoring for potential micronutrient deficiencies.
• Education in nutritional self-regulation, so that the individual recognizes hunger and satiety and builds management skills without pharmacological dependence.
• Support during drug discontinuation, with a plan for weight stabilization and prevention of regain.
• Collaboration with the medical team, for treatment coordination, management of adverse effects, and monitoring of health progress.

The dietitian acts as a behavior change consultant, enhancing self-confidence, self-observation, and long-term compliance.

Their presence is crucial so that the experience with GLP-1 can be transformed into a nutritional re-education with substance and duration.

Conclusion

Treatment with GLP-1 type drugs, such as Ozempic, represents a significant advance in the management of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Although it offers impressive results in weight loss and glucose control, it is not a self-sufficient solution.

The effectiveness and sustainability of this intervention largely depend on whether it is combined with a balanced nutritional and behavioral strategy.

Nutrition remains the cornerstone, both for supporting health during treatment and for maintaining results after discontinuation.

The risks of muscle mass loss, nutritional deficiencies, or rapid weight regain are not negligible, and therefore, guidance from a specialized dietitian is essential.

The goal is not only weight loss, but a fundamental change in lifestyle, enhanced self-regulation, and the long-term adoption of healthy habits.

With the right support, medication can become a tool, not a substitute, for a life with greater health, balance, and control.

Bibliography

[1] Mozaffarian, D., Agarwal, M., Aggarwal, M., Alexander, L., Apovian, C. M., Bindlish, S., Bonnet, J., Butsch, W. S., Christensen, S., Gianos, E., Gulati, M., Gupta, A., Horn, D., Kane, R. M., Saluja, J., Sannidhi, D., Stanford, F. C., & Callahan, E. A. (2025). Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: A joint Advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 33(8), 1475–1503. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.24336.