For participants in a medical weight loss program, so called “weight loss injections,” known by the brand names Ozempic (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), and Wegovy (semaglutide), have become an important tool. These medications suppress appetite, increase feelings of fullness, and often lead to significant weight loss. They can also affect blood sugar.
Quick overview: what these medications do to blood sugar
- Lower blood sugar levels and improved long term blood sugar control (HbA1c) are typical effects of these medications. This is seen in both diabetes and obesity studies.
- Studies also show that a desired positive effect is not only weight loss, but sustained improvement in blood sugar control over months to years.
- In people with prediabetes and obesity, these medications may have a preventive effect on the development of type 2 diabetes.
What does this mean for you in the program?
Blood sugar monitoring and nutrition as a stability anchor
Diet can also significantly reduce blood sugar spikes. This is especially helpful because these medications can suppress appetite and slow gastric emptying, which changes the blood sugar response to meals.
The most important principles are:
- Distribute carbohydrates evenly: Spread carbohydrates throughout the day instead of eating one very large, carbohydrate heavy meal. This reduces a sharp and rapid rise in blood sugar.
- Focus on carbohydrate quality: Whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and berries generally have a lower glycemic index, meaning they raise blood sugar more slowly and gently. Avoid large amounts of fast sugars such as candy or soft drinks.
- Include protein at every meal: Protein rich foods increase satiety and do not raise glucose levels. Good options include quark, cottage cheese, eggs, fish, lean meat, or tofu.
- Use fiber and volume: Fiber rich and or high volume foods such as vegetables, salads, legumes, and oats slow carbohydrate absorption and help blood sugar rise and fall more gradually, which also supports satiety.
- Pay attention to meal order: Eating vegetables and protein before starchy foods makes a difference. This sequence helps blood sugar rise more slowly after a meal. In practice, that can mean: start with salad or vegetables and protein, then eat bread, potatoes, or rice.
Conclusion: opportunities and responsibility
Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy can have positive effects on both weight and blood sugar. They influence both how much glucose rises and the speed at which carbohydrates from food enter the bloodstream. Nutrition is a powerful lever for reducing blood sugar swings. Feel free to speak with your nutrition specialist at The Body Clinic about this.
Sources
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2107519?utm
- https://assets.ctfassets.net/mpejy6umgthp/4KzdMCzXwIcAoJk2sK8l0D/
61da33585e923c23ec31ff7bec279914/VV-
TZPPT3_OW2024_JASTREBOFF_SURMOUNT1_THREE_YEAR_DV-021720_V4.4.pdf?utm - https://guidelines.diabetes.ca/cpg/chapter11?utm
- S3-Leitlinie Nationale VersorgungsLeitlinie (NVL) Typ-2-Diabetes
- Literaturquelle: Jessie Inchauspé: Der Glukosetrick