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Taking GLP-1 medication? Expert gives advice on holiday nutrition
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025

So, you've managed to lose 30 pounds thanks to one of the new popular GLP-1 drugs. But with the holidays approaching, you're worried about how to cope with the feasts that will feature lots of high-calorie, gourmet foods.
Luckily, an expert from Baylor College of Medicine shares tips on how to enjoy holiday foods without overdoing it, even while taking these drugs.
GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound suppress your appetite and slow down your digestion. So eating large meals while taking these drugs can make you feel sick and sick. What to do? Focus on smaller meals.
Why is this important?
“You lose the weight-loss benefits if you don’t watch your diet,” explains Dr. Mandeep Bajaj, professor of medicine and of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at Baylor College of Medicine. “Also, if you’re taking GLP-1 receptor agonists for diabetes, overeating will worsen your diabetes control, and you’ll lose the benefits of the therapy.”
Tips for Maintaining Results During the Holidays
For those taking GLP-1 medications, it is important to continue taking them during the holidays to avoid regaining lost weight. Dr. Bajaj offers some tips to help you maintain control of your weight and treatment:
- Eat whole foods and choose a nutritious diet based on minimally processed foods: vegetables, lean protein, fiber, and whole grains.
- Control your portions: More than half of your plate should be filled with lean meats and vegetables.
- Avoid fried foods cooked in rich oils.
- Limit foods high in sugar, such as soda, candy, and ice cream.
- Minimize alcohol intake: Alcohol contains extra calories and can lead to hypoglycemia if you have diabetes and take insulin.
- Stay hydrated: People taking GLP-1 tend to eat less, but also drink less fluid, which can lead to dehydration.
For those who are just planning to start taking GLP-1 drugs
Dr. Bajaj advises against delaying treatment.
“The primary goal of treatment is diabetes control and weight loss in patients who are obese or overweight,” he said in a college press release. “There is no reason to wait until after the holidays, as this is when diabetes control worsens and weight gain occurs.”
How to achieve success with GLP-1 drugs?
Patients taking these drugs find that they can achieve significant weight loss when they eat a healthy diet high in protein and fiber.
“Combining GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy with exercise is especially important to get the most benefit from the treatment,” Dr. Bajaj concluded.