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As many Americans continue to use weight loss drugs to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, pharmacists and experts have warned about the potential risks of patient “undernutrition,” and have shared dietary guidance with Newsweekfor those taking the drugs
GLP-1s like Ozempic and Wegovy have become increasingly popular, with one in eight Americans using them as of March 2026, according to data from Statista. The rise in their use has coincided with a decline in U.S. obesity rates, although multiple factors are likely at play
However, as they work in part by significantly reducing a person’s appetite, this can introduce “nutritional risks if patients are not intentional about what they eat,” Dr Fatima Cody Stanford, a professor of medicine and pediatrics at Harvard University, told Newsweek
Patients can consume too little protein, leading to a loss of lean muscle mass during weight loss, Stanford said. They can also “fall short” on key micronutrients like vitamin D, calcium, iron and B vitamins due to reduced total intake, she added
There can also be physical repercussions of “undernutrition” on GLP-1s. Skipping meals or going long periods without eating, can lead “to poor dietary balance and sometimes fatigue or dizziness,” Stanford said. She added that there is “also concern for loss of bone density and muscle mass if protein intake and resistance activity are inadequate.”
“These medications do not distinguish between fat and lean mass, so without proper nutrition, patients can lose both,” she said
The potential gastrointestinal side effects of these drugs can also further limit food intake, Stanford said, which can “lead patients to avoid certain foods, sometimes worsening nutritional gaps.”
Therefore, while GLP-1 medication is known for being highly effective, experts warn patients need to ensure they are paying close attention to their dietary needs and wider health while using the drugs
Sobia Qasim, a superintendent pharmacist at the online U.K. pharmacy Curely, also said that “when you’re naturally eating much smaller portions, every meal becomes more important.”
“The goal shouldn’t just be to lose weight, it should be to lose body fat while preserving muscle, strength and overall health,” she said
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What Foods Should You Eat While Using GLP-1s?
Stanford has explained there are several key principles that patients taking GLP-1s should follow. This includes “prioritizing protein” to preserve muscle mass, eating “small, regular meals even if hunger is low to avoid undernutrition,” staying well hydrated, limiting highly processed and sugary foods that offer “little nutritional value,” considering supplementation of certain vitamins, and pairing nutrition with resistance training, which is “essential to maintain muscle and metabolic health,” she said.
“Most importantly, GLP-1 medications should be viewed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan—not a standalone solution,” she said. “Nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral support remain foundational to achieving healthy and sustainable outcomes.”
Looking into the specifics, below pharmacists at Curely put together a list of the top 10 foods they believe patients using GLP-1s should be eating
Commenting on the list, Stanford said that she agreed with the emphasis on “nutrient-dense, protein-rich foods,” which she said was “exactly the right approach when appetite is reduced.”
“Foods like edamame, fish, yogurt, seeds, and legumes are excellent because they deliver a high nutritional return in small portions,” she said
Dr John Batsis, a professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told Newsweek that he also agreed with the list, and said that he would also add “eggs, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, milk or fortified soy milk, fish, poultry, lean meats, beans and nut butters.”
“The best choices will depend on dietary preferences, medical conditions and gastrointestinal tolerance. Working with a dietitian is of paramount importance,” he said
The pharmacists at Curely also put together a list of everyday substitutions they advise GLP-1 users to make to ensure they are getting as many nutrients as possible in their diet
Qasim said that “weight-loss medication should be viewed as part of a wider lifestyle approach rather than a standalone solution.”
“Eating a varied, nutrient-rich diet and staying physically active will help patients get the greatest long-term benefit from treatment,” she added
Broader Dietary Advice
Stanford said that patients should also look beyond specific superfoods and consider overall dietary patterns while taking GLP-1s
She said that they should ensure they have a lean proteinry meal, and that they eat a variety of fruits and vegetables for fiber, vitamins, and minerals
Whole grains and legumes provide sustained energy and gut health, she said, adding that healthy fats like nuts, seeds, and olive oil are good for satiety and nutrient absorption
“Rather than focusing on a fixed list of foods, I encourage patients to build balanced, sustainable eating patterns that consistently meet protein and micronutrient needs,” she said
Batsis offered the same guidance, recommending that patients focus on wider dietary patterns than just eating specific foods
He said: “Smaller meals may be better tolerated than large portions, particularly when nausea or early fullness is present. Patients should avoid filling up on foods and drinks with little nutritional value and should combine good nutrition with resistance exercise to help preserve muscle.”
He also warned that any “persistent vomiting, inability to maintain hydration or very limited food intake should prompt discussion with the prescribing clinician or a dietitian.”
Contact Newsweek editors on this story:Daniel OrtonandCristina Diciu
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