When you’re overweight, it’s not unusual to have a complicated relationship with food. You may enjoy social events that feature food, but feel guilty if you overeat at gatherings. Or you may have cycled through unsuccessful weight-loss diets that left you feeling hungry, deprived, and frustrated.
And if you’ve struggled with your weight for a long time, you’ve undoubtedly experienced society’s stigma against being overweight.
When taking GLP-1 to lose weight, there’s excitement and hope about being successful. And yet, people can also feel a range of conflicted—both good and bad—emotions. Even when taking the medication, the amount and type of food eaten still has a direct impact on your weight. Your relationship with food will influence the course of your weight-loss journey.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways taking GLP-1 may affect the role of food in your life.
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You will most likely eat less on GLP-1
GLP-1 has been touted as a miracle drug, but it’s not a magical elixir. GLP-1 slows how quickly food moves through your digestive system, according to MedlinePlus. This signals to your brain that you’ve had enough to eat and lowers your appetite.
“People feel fuller, so they tend to eat less at any given meal,” says Evan Sisson, PharmD, a professor at the VCU School of Pharmacy in Richmond, Virginia. “The net result is that people lose weight.”
However, to actually lose weight, you still have to reduce your calorie intake. “Some patients think that by taking GLP-1, the fat is just going to melt off their body, and they can continue to eat the same way that they have when they gained a lot of weight,” Sisson says. This is a myth, he adds.
Some people eat for reasons other than because they’re hungry—for example, because it’s a habit or to address emotional needs. (If this is your situation, you may want to consider talking with a therapist who specializes in eating disorders.) If a person continues to do this while taking GLP-1 and doesn’t significantly decrease the amount of calories they take in, it will diminish the chances of successful weight loss.
You may think and worry less about food
GLP-1 will typically cause your appetite and subsequent interest in food to drop. Potential side effects, such as nausea, may further decrease your desire to eat. “When you’re on these drugs, you don’t want to eat much, and you’re full much quicker,” says Ann Kearney-Cooke, PhD, a psychologist based in Cincinnati, Ohio, who specializes in eating disorders.
As a result, you may find yourself thinking less about food. Rachel Goldberg, a therapist based in Studio City, California, who specializes in eating disorders and weight loss, says her clients who take GLP-1 will often tell her, “It feels so good to not constantly think about food.”
The lack of appetite can particularly be a relief for people taking GLP-1 who have been previously preoccupied by unwanted thoughts about food. “They often feel less worried about food,” says Kearney-Cooke.
You may have a different attitude about food-oriented social events
From checking out new restaurants to noshing on movie popcorn, from sharing birthday cakes at the office to snacks at happy hour, lots of social activities in our culture revolve around food. If you’re making changes in your diet as part of losing weight, you may be preparing more of your own food or eating at home more often.
Certain social events may be less fun for people taking GLP-1 who don’t feel like eating. “They may miss going out to dinner,” Kearney-Cooke says. “They’re trying to figure out, ‘How can I be in the world with this new relationship with food, where food is not what I look forward to that much?’”
If you’d rather not participate in food-oriented events, Goldberg recommends being proactive in telling your friends this, and suggesting alternative activities, such as going for a walk, taking a class together, or meeting for coffee rather than a meal.
You may miss the pleasure of food
Let’s face it: Lots of foods taste good. “Often, we reach for food because it gives us some pleasure in the moment,” says Kearney-Cooke.
“For some people, food is a primary source of pleasure for them, so they might have been eating a lot of food to feel more pleasure and less depression,” she adds. People taking GLP-1 may be foregoing that added pleasure in life if they’re less interested in eating, and it’s natural to feel that as a loss. “They miss enjoying the pleasure of a great meal, a great glass of wine,” she says. “They miss all that emotionally.”
To add enjoyment to your life, Kearney-Cooke recommends making an effort to explore other sources of pleasure besides food—reading a book, knitting, going to a concert, whatever makes you happy. Another idea is to explore cooking styles and dishes that are more suited to your new appetite, whether that’s smaller dishes or, say, those that aren’t heavy on fat, which can add to GI woes.”
You may miss the comfort food can provide
“For some people, eating is very soothing and calming,” says Kearney-Cooke. “If they have a big test and they’re studying and frustrated, they may order pizza. Or if they go to a party and feel a little bit unsure of themselves, they’ll grab some food.”
If you’ve relied on food for comfort and it’s no longer your go-to when you’re sad or have a fight with your spouse, for instance, it may be unsettling, and you may even find yourself feeling depressed or anxious, says Kearney-Cooke.
Just as you may look for other sources of pleasure, consider seeking out other ways to soothe yourself and reduce stress, such as practicing mindfulness, journaling, or talking to friends. Physical activity can also benefit you emotionally as well as physically.
Your relationship with food is unique to you
For most people, there’s an undeniable emotional element to eating, so it’s not surprising that taking GLP-1 to lose weight can influence your relationship with food—in both positive and negative ways.
Identifying and paying attention to any emotional effects from taking GLP-1 and weight loss can help you navigate any changes that take place. Also, keep in mind that you can reach out to friends, family, or mental health professionals for support.
“Ultimately, becoming aware and making a conscious effort to notice your evolving relationship with food will be beneficial to your overall weight-loss journey with GLP-1,” says Goldberg. “By discovering new sources of pleasure and finding ways to cope with emotions you may have previously turned to food for, as well as seeking support when needed, you can cultivate a healthier balance that supports both your physical health and emotional well-being.”
If you think a weight loss medication like GLP-1 might be right for you, chat with a ReflexMD Wellness Advisor now. Or take our short quiz to see if you qualify.
