Experts are warning the public about six different festive foods you should avoid if you're using weight loss injections.
While many of us may be looking forward to the holiday season to enjoy some well-deserved cheat days, one doctor has raised the alarm on how this could impact users of GLP-1 drugs.
The medication has taken the weight loss industry by storm in recent years, with a whopping one 20 people in the UK admitting this year to using the drugs as a method to shift the number on the scale.
And with the festive season now upon us, many are left unsure as to what they can (or can’t) safely indulge in so Dr Crystal Wyllie from ZAVA has offered out her own expert insight into how Christmas food can affect drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro.
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A list of foods Dr Wyllie suggests to avoid can be found below.
Pigs in blankets
It may well be a Christmas staple at the dinner table but the doctor has warned that these should be avoided or only consumed in small amounts. This is because pigs in blankets are high in fat and salt, which sit heavily in the stomach when digestion is slowed by GLP-1 medications. The double-fat combination of sausage and bacon often worsens nausea and reflux.
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Common side effects from eating too many can include nausea, bloating, reflux, and stomach pressure, which is the last thing you want while with your family on Christmas Day.
Roast potatoes
This is especially one to be way of when it is cooked in goose fat as people on weight loss injections might be gutted to find out that goose fat is extremely rich, and high-fat foods take longer to leave the stomach, something jab users are already prone to. This can lead to an uncomfortable ‘food sitting’ feeling and sudden queasiness after eating.
Instead, it is best to cook your roasties in something else like olive oil.
Meat in large portions
While it wouldn’t be Christmas without a selection of meats being passed around the dinner table, it might be wise to watch just how much you’re consuming if you’re using GLP-1 medication.
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Dense protein can require a significant amount of digestive effort and, when your digestive system is being slowed by the drugs, this can lead to discomfort or nausea.
If you’re worried, there is no harm is starting those New Years resolutions a bit early, after all, Veganuary is just around the corner.
Soft cheese
Items such as brie and camembert contain high levels of fat that can be difficult to digest, especially after a heavy meal. They commonly trigger nausea for GLP-1 users because the combination of richness and creaminess lingers in the stomach.
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As an alternative, try having reduced-fat cheese, a small amount of hard cheeses, or switch it up for some fruit instead.
Brandy butter
Brandy butter is usually paired with a Christmas pudding but it is almost entirely made up of fat and sugar, which are the two biggest triggers for GLP-1-related digestive upset. The richness can overwhelm the stomach quickly, even in small amounts, and often causes immediate queasiness.
Yule Log
I know, this is devastating news, but the iconic Christmas dessert is dense, chocolate-heavy, and often filled with rich cream, which makes it slow to digest and very sweet.
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These are the two things that GLP-1 users are typically very sensitive to and the quick sugar spike followed by the richness means that even small slices can cause discomfort after a meal.
Instead, try having a small portion of dark chocolate or a sponge-based dessert without cream.