Making diabetes and weight problems easier to handle with new medicines, new medicines called semaglutide and tirzepatide are changing the game for people with type 2 diabetes and weight issues. They’re giving people new hope and better results. This article will talk about how what you eat makes a big difference when using these medicines. Picking the right foods is key to losing weight successfully.
What Are Semaglutide and Tirzepatide?
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are leading the way in treating weight problems and type 2 diabetes. They work like a hormone in your body that helps control blood sugar and makes you feel less hungry. Tirzepatide has an extra way of working that makes it even better at controlling blood sugar. The US government said it was okay to use semaglutide for weight control in 2021, and tirzepatide got the green light in 2023.
When you use these medicines along with eating well and exercising, they work best. Studies have shown that people who got a shot of semaglutide once a week lost about 15% of their body weight on average. And those who got tirzepatide lost an amazing 26% on average. These people also worked out for 150 minutes a week and ate 500 fewer calories a day. This shows that you need to do more than just take medicine to reach your weight loss goals.
Foods to Eat Less Of
Even though these medicines can do a lot of good, they can also make you feel sick, like throwing up or having a bloated stomach. The food you eat can either help or make these problems worse. You don’t have to stop eating any foods completely, but being careful about how much you eat can help a lot.
Some foods, especially fatty or sugary ones, can make these stomach problems worse. To feel better and make sure your treatment works well, try to eat less of these:
- White bread, pasta, and sugary breakfast cereals.
- Alcohol is best avoided or only had sometimes.
- Sweet stuff like soda, candy, cakes, and sugary cereal.
- Salty snacks like chips, canned soup, and pre-made meals.
- Oily foods like fried chicken, fries, pizza, and doughnuts.
Eating carefully and not too much can help you avoid side effects and make your treatment go smoothly.
Good Foods to Eat
It’s just as important to know what foods you should eat. A balanced diet helps the medicines work better and gets you closer to your health goals. Here are some good food groups to focus on:
Vegetables Without Starch
These veggies are full of good stuff like vitamins and minerals but don’t have many calories. They help you feel full without making you eat too many calories. Eat lots of different colored veggies, such as:
- Carrots
- Tomatoes
- Asparagus
- Greens like kale, spinach, and arugula
- Onions
- Peppers
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
Foods Rich in Protein
Protein is an important nutrient that helps us have energy, build muscles, and fix body tissues. Eating lots of protein can also help keep muscles strong when you’re trying to lose weight. Try to eat different kinds of protein from both animals and plants, like:
- Eggs
- Cottage cheese
- Greek yogurt
- Tofu
- Fish
- Chicken and other birds
- Lean parts of beef and pork
- Beans and peas
Whole Grains
Whole grains have fiber and nutrients that are missing in white grains. They help with digestion, keeping blood sugar stable, and losing weight. Try to eat grains like:
- Bread made from whole wheat
- Rice made from whole grains
- Barley
- Quinoa
- Pasta made from whole grains
- Oats
Beans, Peas, Nuts, and Seeds
Beans and peas have protein and fiber that make you feel full and can help you lose weight. Nuts and seeds have good fats, protein, and fiber that help you stay full for a long time. Add these to your diet:
- Lentils
- Different nuts like almonds, cashews, and walnuts
- Seeds like chia, flax, and pumpkin seeds
- Black beans
- Chickpeas
Whole Fruits
Fruits are important for your health and have fiber, even though they have natural sugar. It’s good to eat fruits when you’re trying to keep a healthy weight. Choose fresh, canned without extra sugar, or frozen fruits over dried ones to keep your blood sugar steady. Good fruits to eat include:
- Pineapple
- Watermelon
- Berries like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries
- Apples
- Oranges
- Pears
- Grapes
Eating Right, No Restrictions Needed
Even if some foods make people feel bad when they’re taking certain diabetes drugs, it doesn’t mean you have to stop eating them completely. It’s all about finding the right balance in what you eat to stay healthy while on these meds.
Here are three simple ways to keep your stomach happy:
- Take It Easy: Chew your food well and eat at a slow pace. When you start feeling full, it’s time to stop.
- Drink Up: Keep yourself well-drinked with things like water or unsweetened ginger tea.
- Move a Little: A quick stroll after eating can help your body handle the food better.
Ending Notes
You don’t have to follow strict eating rules with drugs like semaglutide or tirzepatide, but being smart about what you eat can make them work better. Foods like meat, veggies that don’t have a lot of starch, fresh fruits, grains, and beans are great choices that help with weight and sugar levels in your blood.
Always remember, what works for you might not work for someone else. Talk to your doctor to get advice that fits just right, especially about your meds and food. And if you need a doctor who knows about these drugs, EllieMD can hook you up with one that’ll help you reach your health goals. Check out EllieMD to see if you can get started!
