Thinking about weight loss jabs? Here's what I really think
Weight loss jabs, Ozempic, Wegovy and other GLP-1 medications, are everywhere right now. Barely a week goes by without them making headlines, and more and more people are considering whether they might be the answer they have been looking for.
I get asked about them a lot. So here is my honest opinion.
I am not anti weight loss jabs - I believe we need to talk about them properly.
There may be a clinical need for these medications for certain groups of people, for example, those with complex obesity-related health conditions, or perhaps where other approaches have genuinely not worked. I would never dismiss that.
I do think a lot of people are reaching for them before they have really explored other options and that concerns me.
Try the foundations first
Weight loss jabs work by reducing appetite and increasing satiety. This alone does not teach you how to eat well, how to manage emotional eating, how to build a sustainable routine or how to enjoy food without guilt. Those things take time, support and the right guidance and are the foundations that make weight loss last.
Before considering medication, I would always encourage trying a structured weight management programme first, whether that is an NHS programme or something like my own 12-week Transform programme. Yes, it may take longer, but it builds the skills, habits and relationship with food that help prevent weight regain in the long term, as well as help break away from the up and down, start and stop journey that so many women are exhausted by.
If you are already on weight loss jabs, please get proper support
If you have started or are considering GLP-1 medication, the most important thing I want you to know is this - please do not do it without regular support from your GP or Pharmacist and a Registered Nutritionist or Dietitian.
These medications significantly reduce appetite, which sounds straightforward, but the impact on your nutrition can be significant. Eating much less without the right guidance can mean missing out on essential nutrients your body needs to function well.
Good nutritional support alongside weight loss jabs should include:
Meeting your protein, vitamin and mineral requirements - eating less does not mean needing less nutrition
Fibre and hydration - both are essential and often affected by the medication
Managing side effects through diet - nausea, reflux and other common side effects can often be supported through what and how you eat
Meal timing and portion sizes - small, regular, nourishing meals become even more important
Changes in food preferences - individualised support is essential
Supplements - where dietary intake alone may not be sufficient
Building long-term, sustainable habits - so that when you come off the medication, you have the tools to maintain your progress
My honest view
Weight loss jabs are not a quick fix, or at least, they should not be treated as one. For those who do go down this route, having the right nutritional support alongside them is not optional, it is essential.
If you are still weighing up your options, my honest encouragement would be to try a structured programme first. The habits, skills and relationship with food you build along the way are invaluable.
If you would like to find out more about working with me, whether through Transform or alongside your current treatment, I would love to have a conversation.
This blog is aimed at adults
This blog is intended for information only
This blog reflects my personal opinion as a Registered Associate Nutritionist. It is not medical advice. Please speak to your GP before making any decisions about weight loss medication.
