Foods to Avoid While on Saxenda

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 1 year ago · 4 min read

Losing weight is no small feat. It takes time, willpower, and dedication to a healthy diet. When combined, these can help promote weight loss. But what about those with weight-related medical conditions? How can they achieve weight loss?

There is a great solution for those with obesity. Many people with obesity are turning to Saxenda to help them lose weight. According to experts, Saxenda is a weight loss medication prescribed to help those with a high BMI and weight-induced conditions to lose weight. This medication is prescribed for individuals with a BMI exceeding 27 and has been proven effective in promoting weight loss. 

However, there’s one small catch. You may have to avoid certain foods while taking this medication. Saxenda imitates GLP-1, a hormone that is produced naturally after you eat. According to Nice RX Health, GLP-1 is produced by the pancreas and triggers the body to release insulin. This leads to feelings of satiety, which make you stop eating. Saxenda controls appetite and may cause you to consume less food, reducing your calorie consumption. This is why the drug is so effective in promoting weight loss. But what foods should you avoid if you are taking Saxenda?

According to experts, certain foods have an impact on digestion and may induce a number of undesirable side effects. Fatty, greasy, and fried foods are difficult for the body to digest and can lead to nausea when you take this medication. For this reason, experts recommend that those taking Saxenda cut greasy foods from their diet. You should also avoid sugar while taking Saxenda. You do not need to consume any specific foods when taking Saxenda. However, those who take this medication should eat a healthy diet and stay physically active. 

A number of foods can be problematic for those on Saxenda. If you take this medication, you should avoid fast food and processed food. These can be greasy and may cause gastrointestinal issues.  You should also avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar. You should also limit alcohol in your diet or abstain from drinking it. If you drink alcohol while taking Saxenda, you may develop a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or sweating.

You should also avoid fast food and foods that are high in “saturated and trans fats.” Foods that are high in salt should also be avoided, as these can increase the risk of developing gastrointestinal problems. 

Salt can lead to bloating, which can cause you to gain water weight. In some cases, this can negate your weight loss efforts, making it seem as though you are not losing weight. Even if you are losing weight, salt has the ability to cause problems while on this medication. As an injectable medication, Saxenda contains liraglutide, an “active compound,” which is a peptide similar to glucagon. As a hormone that is produced by the pancreas, glucagon helps to regulate your blood sugar levels.

Glucagon increases blood sugar levels and keeps them from dipping too low. Insulin, another hormone produced by the body, decreases blood sugar levels. If you are on this medication, it is important to understand what these hormones do. Hormones are essentially chemicals that help the body carry out specific functions. They are essential as they help the body carry out vital functions. They help pump blood to different parts of the body, including your internal organs, muscles, skin, and tissues that are essential to the body’s proper functioning. 

If you are unsure of what foods are safe to consume, you should talk to your doctor. He or she can tell you what behavioral or lifestyle changes you should implement while taking Saxenda. Experts recommend that you consume a low-calorie diet consisting of healthy foods, such as lean meats, vegetables, and fruits. Any deviation from this diet can lead to weight gain. It may also make it hard to see your desired results while taking Saxenda. 

Experts assert that highly processed foods are especially problematic because they are made with many added ingredients that are high in sugar, salt, and fat. These ingredients are packed with calories and increase the caloric content of foods. According to WebMD, processed foods are foods that have been altered from their natural makeup, Processed foods include food that is heated, pasteurized, dehydrated, or canned. 

However, not all processed foods are bad for you. Many of them are healthy. Blueberries, diced vegetables, and nuts are not bad for you and typically receive fewer chemical changes than some other processed foods. Other highly processed foods include deli meats, bread, cheese, and canned fish. Because processed foods are high in calories, they may cause you to gain weight. Because of this, Saxenda may not produce your desired results.

If you consume highly processed foods on a regular basis, it will likely lead to weight gain. It is important to avoid these foods, so Saxenda can produce the results you are seeking. You are allowed to consume alcohol while taking Saxenda. However, be aware that alcohol also contributes to weight gain. Alcohol also contains a lot of sugar, so drink alcohol in moderation while taking Saxenda. 

According to PubMed, the peptide, GLP-1, is very effective in treating individuals with obesity. Saxenda may actually fix some obesity-related health problems, such a diabetes. However, as research suggests, you should be aware of the consequences of consuming certain foods.

Though some foods are not healthy overall, foods containing sugar are permitted. However, limit sugar-laden foods and consume them only in moderation. Foods that are high in sugar may intensify the side effects of Saxenda. If you consume sugary foods and experience nausea on this medication, scale back your sugar consumption to see if your negative side effects decrease. Doing so may reduce the severity of side effects and make consuming sugar safer. Foods that are high in saturated fat can also cause problems for those who take this medication.       

 While you should avoid certain foods on Saxenda, many other foods are permitted when you take Saxenda. It is important to eat foods that minimize negative side effects that are caused by Saxenda. However, a number of other foods are permitted for those who take this drug. Low fat foods, such as rice, toast, and crackers, are recommended. Foods with a high-water content are also recommended. Those taking this medication can indulge in soup. Food restrictions can be limiting, especially when you’re trying to lose weight. 

However, it is also important not to eat an extremely restrictive diet. Restrictive diets are hard to stick to over an extended period of time. If you are dieting while taking Saxenda, it may help to track how many calories you are consuming each day. You should aim to eat 500 fewer calories daily. If you find it difficult to figure out what foods you should eat on Saxenda, you may want to consider creating a diet plan that includes foods that are compatible with this drug. Experts recommend that you eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, and starchy foods. You should also consume foods that are rich with non-dairy forms of dietary protein. These include beans, eggs, certain meats, and fish.

Whole grains, such as pasta, potatoes, rice, and bread are permitted. These are typically bland and mix well with Saxenda. Milk and dairy products are permitted, but also must be consumed in moderation. While sugar is not recommended, small amounts of it are not going to derail your weight loss efforts on Saxenda. You may also consume some drinks that are high in sugar. Foods that contain high amounts of refined carbohydrates are not recommended for those on Saxenda. 

Refined carbohydrates don’t have much nutritional value. Cutting back on refined carbohydrates improves insulin resistance. High insulin resistance is common and makes it more difficult to lose weight. Processed foods are also high in sugar, so it is especially important to limit your consumption of processed foods.

Consuming large amounts of protein is recommended for those on Saxenda. Protein makes you feel full for longer periods of time, so it may actually help with your weight loss efforts. Experts recommend that you consume 25 to 30 grams of protein for each meal. High-protein diets help minimize “cardiometabolic risk factors,” according to PubMed. 

Some people may experience nausea and vomiting when they first start taking Saxenda. Because of this, it can be hard to consume enough calories and liquids. Not consuming enough fluids can lead to dehydration. To combat this problem, experts recommend eating bland foods, such as applesauce, bananas, crackers, and toast. Clear liquids are especially helpful because they keep you from losing fluids through diarrhea and vomiting. Healthy fats are very important if you are taking Saxenda. Healthy fats include foods such as nuts, avocadoes, seeds, and fatty fish. Sardines and anchovies contain a lot of healthy fat and are also recommended for those who take Saxenda.

Pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding should not take Saxenda, as this could cause harm to an unborn baby. Saxenda can also be passed through breastmilk. 

11 Sources

Nu Image Medical has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references.

https://www.saxenda.com/about-saxenda/how-it-works.html

https://www.nicerx.com/blog/food-to-avoid-while-on-saxenda/

https://www.joincalibrate.com/resources/foods-to-avoid-while-on-saxenda

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22283-glucagon

https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-are-processed-foods

https://www.bensnaturalhealth.com/blog/diabetes-health/foods-while-on-saxenda/

https://www.thehealthy.com/heart-disease/trans-fat-vs-saturated-fat/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25926512/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthy-low-fat-foods

https://www.eatright.org/food/nutrition/healthy-eating/what-is-a-whole-grain

https://www.cham.org/HealthwiseArticle.aspx?id=ad1169

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.