Easy Meals and Weight-Loss Medications

Oct 18 9:15am | Abby McWaters, Registered Dietitian | @amcwaters | Comments (8)

The following is an excerpt from the Mayo Clinic Press book The Mayo Clinic Diet: Weight-Loss Medications Edition.

When you first start taking a weight loss medication you may not have much of an appetite, and eating may feel like a chore. This can make it difficult to consume enough calories and protein. Even though you’re trying to reduce unnecessary calories, it’s still vital to fuel your body with the nutrients, energy and hydration it needs. During times when food is the last thing on your mind, eating cool (not hot) foods and bland foods that don’t have a strong aroma might be better tolerated. Here are some foods to try:

Yogurt. Greek yogurt has a higher protein content than other varieties, but select whichever type of yogurt you like best. Consider adding fruit or a small amount of granola, nuts, nut butter or seeds for additional calories, healthy fats and protein.

Smoothies. Perhaps something you can sip on instead of chew sounds good. The protein content of your smoothie can be increased by adding yogurt, milk, tofu or a protein powder.

Soup. Soup can be a comfort when you don’t have much of an appetite. Add lentils, plain Greek yogurt or shredded cheese to bump up the protein. You’ll find some healthy soup recipes later in this book.

Fruit. Foods such as bananas and applesauce are easy to digest.

Toast. Toast can be a simple yet nutritious meal any time of day. For added protein, top it with nut butters (such as peanut or almond butter), eggs, hummus or cheese.

Cereal. If you feel the worst in the mornings, think about prepping some overnight oats the night before. The mix-ins are endless: fruit, nuts, seeds, nut butter or yogurt.

Protein shakes. Protein shakes that you buy in a store can be a quick and convenient way to get a big boost of protein in a small volume of food. Look for shakes that contain at least 15 grams of protein per serving and have a short ingredients list, limited added sugars and not too many calories.

If these steps don’t help and you’re still having problems eating or drinking due to lack of appetite, reach out to your health care team.

Do you have a favorite nutritious meal when you’re not feeling well?

 

Interested in more newsfeed posts like this? Go to the Weight Management blog.

What stood out for me was: "Even though you’re trying to reduce unnecessary calories, it’s still vital to fuel your body with the nutrients, energy and hydration it needs"

Wow! "unnecessary calories" the culprit?
Well, seems we the humans have very unusual reasons to consume food than just to quell our physiological hunger.
Maybe that's what makes us Human -- the complex beings we are.
And perhaps that's why psychologist/scientist like Patrick Hill of the Washington State Univ at St Louis have this to say for staying in shape: Find Your Purpose.

Really? What purpose has to do with our ways that determine what, when or how much we eat and how/how much we move, two primary determinants of health that go off-track when we lose our North Star, our general sense of direction that makes us feel worthwhile, that we Matter -- that we are not "superfluous" as Dalai Lama wrote in the New York Times some years ago?

And let's remember: 'Scales are for Fish,' was a New York Times front page story in the eighties when weight loss was big news.

Maybe our most intractable problems (yes, the age for colonoscopy has now
been Reduced from 50 years to 45 in the US) are Not outside our Own capacities that we all are born with.

Needless to say, it seems to have always worked for my 8 decades.
God luck folks!
https://artsci.wustl.edu/ampersand/science-living-purpose

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For me I believe more articles on fasting and healing for weight loss should be offered.

More calories is not what we need especially as we move into our older stage of life.

Nothing dramatic just information about the benefits you get missing a meal one day a week.

Digestion issues are a big problem for the young and old these days. Eating constantly is not the answer.

The stomach like any motor needs to be turned off and rested.

Just my thoughts.

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@riana1

For me I believe more articles on fasting and healing for weight loss should be offered.

More calories is not what we need especially as we move into our older stage of life.

Nothing dramatic just information about the benefits you get missing a meal one day a week.

Digestion issues are a big problem for the young and old these days. Eating constantly is not the answer.

The stomach like any motor needs to be turned off and rested.

Just my thoughts.

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This article was written for those taking weight loss medications such as Wegovy or Zepbound, in which decreased appetite and nausea can be a common side effect when starting or increasing the dose.

Here are three articles from Mayo Clinic written on fasting:
1. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/intermittent-fasting-fad-or-solution

2. https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/living-well/wait-what-youre-struggling-to-lose-weight-7-tips-to-consider/

3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/intermittent-fasting/faq-20441303

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@amcwaters

This article was written for those taking weight loss medications such as Wegovy or Zepbound, in which decreased appetite and nausea can be a common side effect when starting or increasing the dose.

Here are three articles from Mayo Clinic written on fasting:
1. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/intermittent-fasting-fad-or-solution

2. https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/living-well/wait-what-youre-struggling-to-lose-weight-7-tips-to-consider/

3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/intermittent-fasting/faq-20441303

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Thank you very much for the fasting articles. I do intermitted fasting and glad to read additional information to add to my resources.

Thank you for sharing!

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When I read this list I almost threw up. Even though they purport to be healthy, I would not eat them. Of the list, the only things I would consider is soup and toast. Main reason why I shy away from all these "diets." There are too many things I will not eat. I am trying to follow my nutritionist's advice and eat smaller portions.

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@thisismarilynb

When I read this list I almost threw up. Even though they purport to be healthy, I would not eat them. Of the list, the only things I would consider is soup and toast. Main reason why I shy away from all these "diets." There are too many things I will not eat. I am trying to follow my nutritionist's advice and eat smaller portions.

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Small portions as recommend by your nutritionist is a great option as well.

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What is the average calories a woman should have daily?

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@tamis

What is the average calories a woman should have daily?

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This is calculated individually based on height, weight and activity level. In general, for women to lose weight an average of 1200-1400 calories is recommended.

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