Semaglutide is a medication that’s used to manage both type 2 diabetes (under the brand name Ozempic) and weight loss (under the brand name Wegovy).

This is because the way semaglutide works for diabetes can also help reduce your appetite, causing you to eat less food. This often results in people reducing their calorie intake and may make it easier to lose weight.  

Some people may find themselves feeling bloated when they first start taking semaglutide.

This is sometimes down to finding your new limits with fullness or getting used to the side effects this medication has.

However, some people find that they need to adjust their diet slightly to relieve the bloating.

Wegovy slows the digestive process, meaning that anything you eat stays in your stomach longer. This helps with making you feel more satisfied.

However, it does mean that you’ll probably need to adjust your portion sizes in order to feel more comfortable. Many people find that eating from a smaller plate can help with portion control. 

Foods to avoid while taking Wegovy (semaglutide) 

No food should ever be completely avoided. Unless you’re allergic to something, of course!

You can eat most things with Wegovy, but some people find that they need to eat less of certain foods to feel full.  

Many people who embark on a weight loss program decide to eliminate certain foods. For some, this could be carbohydrates, while others might choose to eliminate chocolate or sugar from their diet.

At myBMI, we don’t recommend avoiding any foods, even the ones that are traditionally seen as “unhealthy”.  

Sticking to a diet plan can be much harder if you’re depriving yourself of foods you enjoy. Instead, you should account for some treats within your calorie allowance whilst still maintaining a healthy diet.

These are the kinds of lifestyle changes that you should start making now to prepare yourself for the rest of your life. 

While no foods are off limits, you may need to reduce your consumption of certain foods. We’d recommend basing your overall diet on the Eatwell Guide.

Most people in the UK are already familiar with the Eatwell Guide, which is a plate sectioned into different food groups.

This is a really useful tool for determining your diet, as it’s what the government recommends for a healthy lifestyle. This is the model that we should ideally be following.

However, some people find that the Eatwell Guide contains too many carbohydrates for them whilst taking Wegovy. However, this is always down to each individual’s experience.

As the weeks progress, you’ll learn how to optimise your diet to reduce the unwanted symptoms caused by semaglutide. 

Can you take supplements, protein shakes or energy drinks with Wegovy?

Most supplements are generally safe, but some, like inositol and berberine, can affect insulin regulation and increase the concentration of other medications in the blood. This can be risky—for instance, combining berberine with Mounjaro or Wegovy may lead to hypoglycemia, which can be dangerous if not properly managed. 

Additionally, we recommend avoiding protein shakes, energy drinks, and other workout supplements, as they could trigger heart palpitations or arrhythmias when used alongside weight loss treatments.

Wegovy-friendly meal planning 

Meal planning is always good for weight loss, organisation, and budgeting! However, meal planning when you’re taking Wegovy may look a bit different.

Although no foods are off-limits, many people need to change the types of foods they eat to feel more comfortable on semaglutide.  
In addition, many Western diets contain a lot of carbohydrates. Depending on the type of food, these can be fairly high in calories and also cause bloating. Because of this, many people who take Wegovy plan their meals to be high in lean protein and fibre.

Lean protein is a great option when you’re trying to lose weight. All kinds of options are available for meat-eaters and those with a plant-based diet. Lean protein is often lower in calories than a lot of carbohydrates and can be incredibly filling.

Good examples of lean proteins include: 

• Chicken
• Turkey
• Tuna
• Prawns
• Eggs

• Chickpeas
• Kidney beans
• Lentils
• Spinach

There are many more examples of lean proteins, and they can all be used in an endless range of meals to provide a great amount of protein.

Protein is also recommended as it helps to build muscle strength. This is especially important if you’re increasing the amount of exercise that you do. Strong muscles are essential to a healthy body and can help to prevent injuries.

In addition to reducing the amount of fat in your body, it’s also a good idea to increase some of your muscle mass; protein is a great way to do this. 

It’s also incredibly important to eat enough fruits and vegetables. These foods are packed with fibre and loads of vitamins and nutrients. We should aim to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, but more is always a bonus.

As a top tip for incorporating more fibre into your diet, we recommend that all meals contain at least two portions of fruit or vegetables. Using vegetables in your meals is also a budget-friendly way of bulking out your meals while still ensuring they’re full of goodness.

For example, add some of your favourite vegetables next time you make pasta sauce. It’ll make the meal go further and give you some extra fibre.

Fibre is important in the diet for several reasons. Even though we can’t digest it, it’s helpful for gut health and digestion. In addition, fibre takes up room in your stomach, helping you feel fuller for longer. 

Foods that are high in fibre are often low in calories, which can also make it easier to stick to your daily calorie allowance.  

Carbohydrates are still important to your diet when you’re taking semaglutide. However, knowing which ones to choose can help.

We recommend low-GI carbohydrates for the bulk of your meals. These will release their energy over a longer amount of time, which means that they should sustain you for longer and avoid a spike in your blood sugar levels.

Low GI options for everyday foods include: 

• Wholegrain or whole-wheat bread
• Brown or whole grain rice and pasta

• Oats or muesli instead of sugary cereals
• Sweet potato

Essentially, you should plan your meals to be fairly low in calories in order to do this. We would recommend aiming to eat around 1,500 kcal per day. This should give you enough energy to function whilst still allowing you to lose weight.

This can usually be achieved by structuring meals rich in lean protein and fibre, with some low-GI carbohydrates for sustenance.  

Can you drink alcohol while taking Wegovy (semaglutide)? 

Most people who take Wegovy are still able to drink small amounts of alcohol. However, you may find that your tolerance has decreased. Because of this, we would always recommend drinking cautiously and staying aware of your limits. 

It’s also important to remember that if you eat less food, there will be less in your stomach. This is always something to consider if you’re planning to drink. Although you drink it, alcohol can actually be quite dehydrating. 

Because of this, it’s important to drink plenty of water or diet soft drinks between alcoholic drinks. This can help to reduce your risk of experiencing a headache.  

Alcohol can also be high in calories because of the way that it’s made. If you’re taking Wegovy to lose weight, this is something else that you should think about. If you’ve eaten healthily all week and then end up drinking a lot of calories through alcohol, it could be enough to hinder your progress.

That’s why we recommend opting for low-calorie drinks and mixers. For example, vodka and a diet mixer could be as little as 54 calories. You might want to limit particularly sugary drinks such as ciders or alcopops as they can be surprisingly high in calories.

If you’re craving something sweet, you could always ask a bartender to add some cordial to vodka and lemonade.  
Stay mindful of the recommended limits for alcohol consumption. It’s never worth being ill for the sake of a drink. Ensure you stay hydrated and don’t drink on an empty stomach. Stay aware of how you’re feeling, and stop when you’ve had enough