New Research Reveals What GLP-1 Users May Not be Thinking About

Here’s the thing about GLP-1 agonists (aka Ozempic and the like): They’re still new. We’re still learning about them — and by “we” I mean the general public, the people who are on these drugs, and the medical community. 

These drugs are arguably one of the biggest breakthroughs we’ve seen in the medical world, and so many people claim GLP-1 use has completely changed their lives. But it’s important to remember that these drugs aren’t a cure-all. 

According to new research published in thr International Journal of Obesity, this may be a pitfall of GLP-1 use: Many users may not be receiving enough nutritional guidance while on these medications.

Because GLP-1 drugs are so revolutionary, especially for people with diabetes or obesity, it seems people have fallen into this sort of “magical solution” line of thinking around these drugs. Maybe they even see them as quick fix solutions for weight loss, and view that weight loss as the ultimate metric for measuring health. 

Contrary to some narratives out there, you still need to be mindful of what you’re eating, with a particular focus on protein to preserve muscle. The researchers point out that because people on these drugs tend to feel full quickly, experience nausea, and have different food preferences while on these drugs, which may steer them away from eating enough protein. 

That, combined with lack of nutritional counseling, can explain why being on a GLP-1 drug can be linked to dietary gaps. Because it’s not just about consuming fewer calories, it’s also about dietary quality. All that to say: Yes, you may get full quickly and lose weight fast on this medication, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to, say, eat nothing but a candy bar all day. Yes, you may be losing weight and feeling satiated, but it’s not going to do you any favors down the line. 

The takeaway here? Information matters. And we need to change the narrative around body size being the ultimate indicator of a healthy diet. GLP-1 drugs can be incredible, game-changing medications for people, but it’s important to remember that they just represent one item in a full toolkit of things people can do in the name of better health.