Dietitian support for people taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and other GLP-1 medications

Supporting your nutrition and wellbeing while taking GLP-1 medications

GLP-1 medications can change your appetite, how quickly you feel full, and how much food you feel comfortable eating. While these medications are prescribed for different health reasons, including type 2 diabetes and weight management, the changes they create in eating patterns can have important implications for nutrition.

At Optimum Intake Dietitians, our Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) help people navigate these changes with practical, individualised nutrition support.

Woman smiling as she enjoys a sandwich

Whether you are preparing to start medication, currently taking it, adjusting your dose or planning to stop, we can help you meet your nutritional needs, manage eating-related challenges and support your long-term health.

Our approach is weight-inclusive, non-judgemental and centred around your individual health needs, preferences and goals.

How do GLP-1 medications affect your appetite and eating?

GLP-1 medications work by influencing hormones and pathways involved in appetite, fullness, digestion and blood glucose regulation.

Medications such as semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®), liraglutide (Saxenda®) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro®), which acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, can affect your experience of hunger and fullness.

You may notice:

  • Feeling less hungry or thinking about food less frequently
  • Feeling full sooner or after eating smaller amounts
  • Changes in food preferences or interest in eating
  • Slower stomach emptying, sometimes contributing to nausea, reflux or uncomfortable fullness
  • Changes in bowel habits, including constipation or diarrhoea
  • Difficulty maintaining regular meals or eating enough throughout the day

Everyone’s experience with these medications is different. Understanding how they affect your eating can help you make informed decisions about your nutrition and wellbeing.

Bowl of salmon, tempeh, edamame, rice and seaweed as protein-rich foods

Why is nutrition important when taking GLP-1 medications?

When appetite decreases, it can become more challenging to eat enough food to meet your body’s nutritional needs.

Even when you feel less hungry, your body continues to need adequate energy, protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and fluids to function well.

Without appropriate nutrition support, reduced food intake may contribute to:

  • Inadequate energy intake: Leaving you feeling tired, weak or unable to participate fully in everyday activities.
  • Loss of muscle mass and strength: Particularly when overall food and protein intake are reduced.
  • Vitamin and mineral deficiencies: When food variety or overall intake becomes limited.
  • Digestive discomfort: Including nausea, constipation, reflux or uncomfortable fullness.
  • Changes in eating behaviours: Such as skipping meals, relying heavily on appetite cues that may be altered by medication, or finding eating increasingly difficult.

Supporting your nutritional adequacy, muscle health, strength and physical function is an important part of caring for your health while using these medications.

How can an Optimum Intake dietitian support you?

Our dietitians provide individualised nutrition care that considers your medication, medical history, eating patterns, lifestyle and personal health goals.

We can help you with:

Meeting your nutritional needs

Finding practical ways to eat enough and maintain a varied, nourishing intake, even when your appetite is reduced or you feel full quickly.

Comfortable consult room at an Optimum Intake dietitian clinic

Supporting muscle health and strength

Helping you meet your protein and overall energy requirements to support muscle maintenance, strength, physical function and everyday wellbeing.

Managing digestive symptoms

Exploring food choices, meal patterns and practical strategies to help manage nausea, constipation, reflux and other eating-related side effects.

Building supportive eating routines

Establishing flexible, manageable eating patterns that work with changes in appetite, hunger and fullness. This may include adjusting meal timing, portion sizes or food choices to help you eat comfortably and adequately.

Supporting your relationship with food

Navigating changes in hunger, fullness, food thoughts and eating behaviours in a supportive environment. We recognise that medication can change your experience of eating and that these changes may bring both benefits and challenges.

Planning for medication changes

Supporting your nutrition and eating behaviours as medication doses change, or if you and your prescribing clinician decide to reduce or stop treatment.

Our approach to GLP-1 medications and weight-inclusive care

At Optimum Intake, we recognise that people make individual decisions about their health and medical treatment, including whether to use GLP-1 medications.

Our dietitians practise from a non-diet, weight-inclusive approach that respects body diversity, personal autonomy and individual health goals.

If you have chosen to use GLP-1 medication, we can support you with the nutritional considerations that come with this treatment.

We focus on helping you nourish your body, maintain strength and function, develop supportive eating behaviours and feel confident managing your nutrition.

Your care is guided by your needs, preferences and what matters to you, with health and wellbeing considered beyond changes in body weight.

Who can benefit from GLP-1 nutrition support?

You may benefit from seeing one of our dietitians if:

  • You are considering or preparing to start a prescribed GLP-1 medication
  • You are currently taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda or a similar medication
  • Your appetite has reduced and you are finding it difficult to eat enough
  • You are experiencing nausea, constipation, reflux or other digestive symptoms
  • You want to ensure you are meeting your protein, energy and nutrient requirements
  • You have noticed changes in your energy, strength or eating patterns
  • You have concerns about how the medication is affecting your relationship with food
  • You are changing your medication dose or planning to stop treatment
  • You would like practical, individualised nutrition guidance alongside your medical care

Talk to us about GLP-1 nutrition support

Whether you’re thinking about starting, already taking a GLP-1 medication or planning to stop, our dietitians can help you eat well and feel your best. See us in Tuggerah or Broadmeadow, or from home via telehealth.

Book an appointmentCall 0499 008 451

What to expect when seeing our dietitians

Understanding your needs

Your dietitian will take time to understand your medical history, medication use, current eating patterns, nutrition concerns and personal goals.

We explore how your appetite, digestion and relationship with food may have changed, and what support would be most helpful for you.

Personalised nutrition strategies

Together, we develop practical approaches to help you meet your nutritional needs.

This may include reviewing your energy and protein intake, meal patterns, food variety, hydration and strategies for managing digestive symptoms.

Recommendations are tailored to your preferences, circumstances and capacity.

Ongoing nutrition care

Your nutrition needs and eating experiences may change throughout your medication journey.

Our dietitians can provide ongoing support, review your nutrition and adjust recommendations as needed. With your consent, we can also communicate with your GP or prescribing clinician to support coordinated care.

Small prepared meals in jars with vegetables, legumes, nuts and fruit

Nutrition support during and beyond GLP-1 treatment

Good nutrition remains important throughout treatment, during dose adjustments and following medication cessation.

At Optimum Intake, our aim is to help you develop flexible and sustainable eating behaviours that support your health and wellbeing over time.

Our dietitians are here to help you navigate changes in appetite, maintain nutritional adequacy and feel supported in caring for your body.

Book an appointment with an Optimum Intake dietitian

If you are taking or considering GLP-1 medication and would like support with your nutrition, our Accredited Practising Dietitians are here to help.

Appointments are available at our Tuggerah and Broadmeadow clinics, with telehealth appointments available Australia-wide.

Book an appointment with our dietitian team to discuss your nutrition needs and individual health goals.

Book an appointmentCall 0499 008 451

Frequently Asked Questions About GLP-1 Medications and Nutrition

What should I eat while taking Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro?

When taking GLP-1 medications, it’s important to continue eating a variety of foods that provide your body with enough energy, protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals.

Because these medications can reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness, you may find it more difficult to eat your usual meals. Smaller, more frequent meals or adjusting when and how you eat may help you meet your nutritional needs more comfortably.

An Accredited Practising Dietitian can help you develop a flexible eating approach that considers your appetite, food preferences, symptoms and individual nutritional requirements.

How can I get enough protein while taking GLP-1 medications?

Protein plays an important role in maintaining muscle mass, strength, immune function and overall health.

When your appetite is reduced, eating enough protein can become challenging. Including protein-rich foods regularly throughout the day, such as eggs, dairy products, legumes, tofu, fish, meat or suitable alternatives, can help.

Your dietitian can assess your individual protein and energy requirements and suggest practical ways to meet them, particularly if you are experiencing early fullness or difficulty eating adequate amounts.

Can a dietitian help with nausea, constipation or other GLP-1 side effects?

Yes. Nausea, constipation, reflux, bloating and changes in bowel habits are common digestive symptoms associated with GLP-1 medications.

Your dietitian can help you explore food choices, meal timing, hydration and eating patterns that may make these symptoms easier to manage while maintaining adequate nutrition.

If symptoms are persistent, severe or interfering with your ability to eat and drink, your dietitian can recommend further review with your prescribing clinician.

Do I need to see a dietitian while taking GLP-1 medication?

Dietetic support can be valuable for people taking GLP-1 medications, particularly when changes in appetite and food intake make it difficult to meet nutritional needs.

An Accredited Practising Dietitian can assess your nutrition, help you maintain adequate energy and protein intake, support muscle health and provide strategies for managing changes in eating and digestion.

You may benefit from support before starting medication, throughout treatment and when your medication changes or stops.

Can GLP-1 medications affect muscle mass and strength?

Yes. Changes in body composition associated with GLP-1 medications can include a reduction in lean tissue, which includes muscle.

Adequate nutrition, particularly sufficient energy and protein, alongside appropriate physical activity and resistance exercise, can help support muscle maintenance, strength and physical function.

Your dietitian can help you meet your nutritional requirements and work alongside your GP, exercise physiologist or other healthcare professionals where appropriate.

What happens to my appetite when I stop taking GLP-1 medication?

When GLP-1 medication is reduced or stopped, appetite and hunger signals may change again. Some people notice increased hunger, changes in fullness or a return to previous eating patterns.

Dietetic support can help you navigate these changes, maintain regular and adequate nutrition, and develop flexible eating behaviours that support your health and wellbeing over time.

Can I see a dietitian if I'm taking GLP-1 medication for diabetes?

Yes. GLP-1 medications are used in the management of type 2 diabetes as well as for other prescribed indications.

Our dietitians can help you understand how changes in appetite, food intake and meal patterns may affect your nutrition and diabetes management.

We can also work alongside your GP, diabetes educator or prescribing clinician to support coordinated care, particularly if you take other medications that affect blood glucose levels.

Does Optimum Intake provide weight loss programs alongside GLP-1 medications?

Optimum Intake takes a non-diet, weight-inclusive approach to nutrition care.

We recognise that people use GLP-1 medications for different health reasons and have individual preferences and goals regarding their treatment.

Our dietitians provide personalised nutrition support focused on nutritional adequacy, eating behaviours, muscle health, physical function and overall wellbeing.

We respect your decisions about medical treatment and work collaboratively with you to support your health throughout your medication journey.

Can I take GLP-1 medication if I have a history of disordered eating or an eating disorder?

GLP-1 medications can influence appetite, hunger, fullness and eating behaviours. For people with a current or previous eating disorder, these changes may require additional consideration and support.

It is important to discuss your eating disorder history with your prescribing clinician so that medication decisions consider your individual circumstances.

Our dietitians can help you navigate changes in eating, maintain adequate nutrition and support your relationship with food. Where appropriate, we can also collaborate with your treating healthcare team to provide coordinated care.

How can I book a dietitian appointment for GLP-1 nutrition support?

Our Accredited Practising Dietitians provide individualised nutrition support for people taking GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and other prescribed treatments.

Appointments are available at our Tuggerah and Broadmeadow clinics, as well as via telehealth across Australia.

Contact Optimum Intake Dietitians to arrange an appointment and discuss how we can support your nutrition and wellbeing.