The holiday season often brings an abundance of rich meals, which can lead to overeating. For individuals on GLP-1 medications—used for weight loss in those who are obese, overweight, or living with type 2 diabetes—overindulgence is not advisable. An endocrinologist from Baylor College of Medicine offers guidance on enjoying holiday meals while managing these medications.
GLP-1 medications work by increasing satiety and slowing gastric motility, which helps reduce food intake and promote weight loss. Consuming large portions while on these medications can cause illness and exacerbate nausea, making it important to eat smaller portions and avoid excess calories.
"You lose the benefit of weight loss if you do not watch your diet," stated Dr. Mandeep Bajaj, a professor at Baylor specializing in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism. "In addition, if you are taking GLP-1 receptor agonists for treatment of diabetes, overindulging will worsen your diabetes control, and you will lose the benefit of the therapy."
Dr. Bajaj advises against discontinuing GLP-1s during the holidays due to potential weight regain from consuming excess calories. He also cautions against delaying the start of GLP-1 medication until after the holidays to indulge in festive foods. Such delays could result in poor diabetes management and weight gain.
"The whole purpose of treatment is diabetes control and weight loss in patients who are obese or overweight. There is no reason to delay it until the holidays are over because that is the time when diabetes control worsens and you gain weight," he explained.
GLP-1 medications have shifted perspectives on dieting by demonstrating that a combination of healthy lifestyle choices and medication can aid in managing diabetes and achieving weight loss goals.
"Patients who take these medications realize that if they follow a healthy diet of more protein and fiber, they are able to lose weight. Combining these GLP-1 receptor agonist therapies with exercise is really important to get the benefits of the treatment," Dr. Bajaj noted.
