Diet and Nutrition Tips for Using New Weight-Loss Medicines

The therapeutic landscape of obesity has been reshaped by the rapid integration of incretin-based pharmacotherapies. Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogs and receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), such as semaglutide (SEM), dulaglutide (DUL), and liraglutide (LIR), along with the dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide (TZP), are widely approved for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Across pivotal trials, the average reported reduction in body weight ranged between 15% and 20% [7,8,9].

More recently, the advent of dual and triple agonists has further intensified expectations, with early data suggesting even greater efficacy, while attempting to maintain acceptable tolerability profiles [8,10]. Combination therapies such as CagriSema (SEM plus the long-acting amylin analogue cagrilintide) have also been developed to simultaneously target GLP-1 and amylin receptors [11,12]. Amylin is a peptide hormone co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic β-cells, in response to nutrient intake. It plays an important role in satiety signaling, gastric emptying, and postprandial glucose regulation [13]. The new drug builds on the hypothesis that complementary physiological actions of amylin and GLP-1 pathways may provide synergistic effects on appetite regulation and body weight reduction, with recent trials demonstrating greater weight loss compared with GLP-1 RA therapy alone [11,12].

Despite these unprecedented benefits, gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events (AEs) remain the principal barrier to long-term adherence to incretin-based therapies [14]. Individuals who develop moderate-to-severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort are significantly more likely to discontinue therapy [15]. In particular, patients with T2DM showed a 38% higher likelihood of discontinuing treatment with SEM, LIR, or TZP, whereas among patients without T2DM, the likelihood was 19% [15]. Real-world evidence suggest that as many as two-thirds of patients may interrupt treatment within the first year; notably, re-initiation is more common among individuals who did not experience pronounced GI intolerance during the early phases of therapy [15,16,17]. Furthermore, although dual- and triple-agonist approaches achieve greater body weight reduction, emerging data indicate that this efficacy may be also accompanied by a greater frequency of GI AEs in people with obesity (PwO) and T2DM [18].

Many of these barriers can be mitigated by incorporating a structured, evidence-based lifestyle and nutritional framework alongside incretin pharmacotherapy. However, clinicians frequently lack practical, mechanism-driven guidance on how to translate dietary principles into strategies that directly target delayed gastric emptying, enhance satiety signaling, and reduce oral intake. Integrating pharmacological therapy with individualized nutritional support aims to minimize AEs, preserve nutritional status, and improve persistence, which could ultimately translate into substantial long-term healthcare savings [19]. Thus, the present review aims to synthesize all available evidence and expert perspectives on the best nutritional approaches for the prevention and management of GI AEs and the ideal dietary plan for patients on these new anti-obesity drugs, aiming to support clinicians and dietitians by providing a pragmatic roadmap for safer, more efficient, and sustainable treatment.

For this narrative review, a comprehensive search was conducted using a combination of MeSH terms and free-text keywords at the PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov databases. Citation tracking was also performed using the keywords “GLP-1,” “GIP,” “semaglutide,” “liraglutide,” “tirzepatide,” “retatrutide,” “diet,” and “nutrition.” The search was limited to articles published in the English language with no date restrictions.

The figure was created by the authors using Canva (Canva Pty Ltd., Sydney, Australia) software, with individual graphical elements used in accordance with the Canva Pro licensing terms [20].

In the SURMOUNT-3 and 4 trials, TZP was compared to placebo “as an adjuvant to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity” [46,53] (Table 1). In addition, the SURMOUNT-3 trial included a 12-week lead-in intensive lifestyle intervention, involving a low-calorie diet, physical exercise, and weekly counseling before the beginning of the trial. The recommended energy intake was 1200 kcal/day for the women participants and 1500 kcal/day for the men, and all were allowed to consume up to two liquid meal replacements per day [46]. However, adherence to the diet and/or physical activity prescription was not evaluated. Furthermore, dietary intake of participants was not recorded, although many AEs were associated with GI issues, ultimately leading to treatment discontinuation.

In the large SURMOUNT, STEP, and STEP Teens trials, pharmacotherapy was consistently delivered alongside lifestyle interventions provided by health care professionals, typically including advice on following a healthy dietary pattern with an approximate 500 kcal/day energy deficit and a goal of at least 150 min of physical activity per week [8,30,53,82]. The STEP-3 trial further intensified this model by combining SEM 2.4 mg with comprehensive behavioral therapy (30 counseling sessions) and a structured dietary prescription that relied on meal replacements (1000–1200 kcal/day) during the first 8 weeks, followed by 1200–1800 kcal/day of conventional foods for the remainder of the 68-week intervention [56]. Despite this high level of support, treatment discontinuation, primarily attributed to GI AEs, remained notable. Withdrawal rates were approximately 7% in the STEP-1 trial, where participants received counseling, and 5.9% in STEP-3, despite the addition of intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) and partial meal replacement. The relatively modest difference between these approaches suggests that conventional healthy eating advice alone may be insufficient to fully address medication-related intolerance. A recent trial evaluating TZP, initiated at 2.5 mg and escalated to 10 and 15 mg once weekly, compared two hypocaloric dietary strategies in PwO: low-energy ketogenic therapy (~1200 kcal/day, <30 g carbohydrate, 43% protein, 44% fat) vs. a conventional balanced low-calorie diet (50% carbohydrate, 20% protein, 30% fat) [83]. Despite achieving similar total body weight loss (~10%), the ketogenic approach resulted in greater fat mass reduction and significantly better preservation of fat-free mass, muscle strength, and resting metabolic rate than the carbohydrate-based approach. Appetite suppression was reported more frequently in the ketogenic arm (60% vs. 27%), suggesting a potential interaction between macronutrient composition and incretin-mediated satiety signaling [83].

The Satiety and Clinical Adiposity—Liraglutide Evidence (SCALE) trial, which evaluated LIR, incorporated structured lifestyle counseling, typically prescribing an energy deficit of approximately 500 kcal/day with macronutrient targets of approximately 30% fat, 20% protein, and 50% carbohydrates, together with a recommendation for at least 150 min of physical activity per week [9,62,80]. The SCALE-IBT trial extended this approach through more intensive behavioral treatment, including weight-based caloric prescriptions consistent with the US Department of Agriculture guidance and progressive physical activity goals, increasing to 250 min per week [80]. Despite these comprehensive efforts, GI AEs remained common, occurring in 71.1% of participants receiving LIR compared with 48.6% of those in the placebo group [80]. Additional LIR studies have also provided lifestyle and behavioral advice [64,81]. In addition, a recent trial on retatrutide included a lifestyle intervention; however, AEs increased in a dose-dependent manner [10].

In contrast, the SURPASS trial of TZP did not describe a standardized or drug-specific dietary protocol within the trial publications [47,48,49,50,51,52]. In addition, other randomized controlled trials (RCTs) failed to include dietary information [76,77].

Finally, with regards to the more recent REDEFINE-1 and REDEFINE-2 trials using CagriSema, lifestyle interventions were implemented alongside the pharmacological treatment; however, no detailed information regarding the specific components of these interventions was publicly provided [11,12]. What is known is that the prescribed caloric deficit ranged between 500 and 700 kcal/day.

Overall, most landmark incretin trials incorporated some degree of dietary and physical activity counseling. However, GI AEs consistently persisted and remained the predominant cause of treatment discontinuation. This recurring observation implies that conventional calorie deficit models, even when intensive, may not sufficiently accommodate the unique physiological consequences of GLP-1/GIP RAs. Thus, nutritional management may require a more tailored approach related to the mechanisms of delayed gastric emptying, enhanced satiety signaling, and reduced food intake that characterize these therapies.

Preclinical studies provide important clues that dietary composition may interact with incretin pharmacometabolism and pharmacokinetics (Table 2). Research on animals has revealed that chronic high-fat feeding increases GIP and GLP-1 secretion, thus promoting the endogenous supply, without increasing body weight [84]. Notably, dietary fat appears to be a primary driver of increased GIP secretion, whereas augmented GLP-1 responses require excess calories rather than fat exposure alone [84]. Specifically, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6, n-3), α-linolenic acid (αLA, C18:3, n-3), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5, n-3), have been implicated as potential mediators of these effects [85]. These observations imply that habitual dietary fat intake may amplify incretin signaling dynamics and potentially interact with drug tolerability, providing a biological rationale for macronutrient manipulation during incretin-based therapies [84].

In vitro and animal studies have suggested that certain metabolite byproducts of bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber can additionally stimulate GLP-1 secretion through the GPCR41 and GPCR43 signaling pathways [92,93,94,95]. Whey protein has been shown to enhance GLP-1 secretion in animal models [96] and clinical studies [97]. Consistent with these mechanistic data, research on humans has shown that several dietary interventions, including high-protein meals, plant-based proteins (buckwheat, fava bean, pea, hemp, and lupin) or the intake of non-digestible and fermentable dietary fibers, stimulate GLP-1 levels, more efficiently than processed meat meals [98,99,100,101,102]. In addition, probiotic yogurt, and to a lesser extent, vitamin D-fortified yogurt, significantly improved circulating GLP-1 levels during caloric restriction in humans, indicating that gut-targeted nutritional strategies may enhance endogenous GLP-1 responses in obesity management [103].

Dietary polyphenols may be another nutritional modulator of incretin physiology. In animal models, anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant extract, curcumin, resveratrol, sweet potato leaf extract, and berberine increased GLP-1 production and glucose-stimulated GLP-1 secretion [104,105,106,107,108,109]. Complementing these findings, clinical evidence demonstrates that a polyphenol-rich curry composed of mixed spices and vegetables increases postprandial total GLP-1 levels dose-dependently [110].

Regarding the exogenous supply, TZP consistently reduces total energy intake while shifting consumption away from highly palatable, lipid-rich options toward standard chow, an effect dependent on intact GLP-1 receptor signaling [87]. Importantly, this suppression appeared to be macronutrient-specific, with lipid intake being reduced to a greater extent than carbohydrate consumption [87]. Complementary mechanistic studies indicate that GIP receptor signaling in leptin-responsive neuronal populations is not essential for weight regulation, whereas pancreatic pathways appear more relevant for glycemic outcomes, reinforcing the concept that appetite and food choice effects are largely GLP-1 driven [86].

In contrast, while animal studies have shown that TZP attenuates metabolic adaptation during weight loss, it does not significantly alter metabolic adaptation in humans, although it does increase fat oxidation and reduce energy intake [90]. Pharmacology modifies appetite signaling, substrate utilization, and food reward; however, nutritional management within trials has rarely been designed to leverage these effects. A more precise alignment between diet composition and meal structure may represent an underused opportunity to improve tolerability and sustain adherence.

Finally, recent animal data on CargiSema indicate that approximately 1/3 of the induced weight loss stems from a direct effect on total energy expenditure as well as energy intake inducing a metabolic adaptation [89].

Research suggests that individuals using GLP-1 RAs reduce the quantity of food they purchase, with grocery spending falling by approximately 5.3% in the first six months after adoption [111]. The largest declines were concentrated in calorie-dense, highly palatable categories, such as chips and savory snacks, sweet bakery items, and cookies, consistent with reduced appetite and fewer cravings [111,112,113,114]. Complementary evidence suggests that users may also shift the composition of purchases towards more unprocessed foods and modestly higher protein intake, alongside reductions in calories, sugar, saturated fats, and refined carbohydrates [112]. After discontinuation, spending patterns revert to pre-adoption levels, with little evidence of persistent change, implying that much of the observed shift reflects pharmacological effects rather than durable preference transformation [111,115]. Analysis of dietary quality revealed that the healthy eating index (HEI) was poor, regardless of calorie consumption [113]. Individuals on GLP-1 RAs tended to consume less fruit and high-quality protein sources, have an unfavorable fatty acid profile, and have a tendency for caloric and protein intake to be concentrated in the evening [113].

PwO on GLP-1 RAs have been reported to consume adequate amounts of B-vitamins, Copper, Phosphorus, Selenium, and Zinc [116]. However, dietary deficiencies are also apparent, reflecting an inadequate intake of dietary fiber, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Choline, folate, and vitamins A, C, D, and E [116,117]. Furthermore, reduced appetite and the resulting caloric restriction may further contribute to the development of nutrient deficiencies [114,117]. PwO on incretin-based therapies fail to meet their protein requirements although they appear to consume excessive amounts of fat, including saturated fat [116]. Complementing these observations, nutritional analyses from the SURMOUNT trials also identified reductions in circulating vitamin B12 and D levels [118]. However, these observations were not of sufficient magnitude to result in overt malnutrition or treatment discontinuation in the aforementioned trial. It is important to note that micronutrient status was not systematically or routinely monitored within the trial protocols, limiting firm conclusions regarding the true prevalence and clinical relevance of these deficiencies [118].

GI AEs may further compromise nutrient absorption and exacerbate nutrient deficiencies leading to hair loss, fatigue or low energy, headaches, and changes in skin elasticity [119].

Table 3 details the evidence-based interventions that can reduce the severity and frequency of GI AEs. Prior to the initiation of GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP RA therapy, patients should ideally receive counseling from a registered nutritionist/dietitian (RDN). Education should cover the mechanism of action of the medication, dosing schedules, available formulations, and the central role of nutrition in both optimizing therapeutic outcomes and minimizing intolerance. This early discussion also creates an opportunity to identify pre-existing GI disorders, current symptom burden, or disordered eating patterns that could potentially worsen after treatment initiation [120]. Patients should be reassured that GI symptoms are common, generally mild to moderate, frequently transient, and often improve with simple behavioral adjustments. Self-monitoring of the dietary intake using a diary or electronic diaries (e.g., MyFitnessPal) and reviewing several days of records with a healthcare professional or dietitian can enhance adherence, facilitate early recognition of nutrient inadequacies, and allow timely modification of eating patterns to improve tolerability [121]. Figure 1 illustrates the proposed stepwise approach for the assessment, monitoring, and mitigation of GI AEs during incretin-based therapy. PwO should be followed up before dose adjustment to discuss their symptoms and provide at least one 24-h diet recall or complete food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) to assess macronutrient intake and possible low micronutrient consumption [113].

To reduce GI AEs, it is recommended to limit water intake during meals, by consuming drinks at least one hour before and one hour after each meal [32]. On the other hand, meals should include water-rich foods; however, they must be smaller in volume. In addition, switching from solid to liquid foods may improve tolerability [144]. In contrast, a low-residue diet may also help, particularly during the initiation or dose escalation phases, when gastric accommodation is mostly challenged [32]. Emphasis should be placed on slow eating, the consumption of smaller portions, stopping when reaching satiety, and avoidance of overeating [32,122].

The BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) diet has long been used to treat nausea and vomiting in hospital settings and can be applied to acutely relieve a person from these symptoms. On the other hand, following a bland diet [149], with easily digestible foods that are soft, low in dietary fiber content, without spices, and cooked well, can also prove useful [140] for a longer period of time. Oral nutrient supplementation with vitamin B6 and ginger has also proven useful for treating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy [141], chemotherapy [142,150], and post-surgery [151]. Ginger and peppermint teas may also prove beneficial for some patients [143]. PwO should be advised to avoid drinking through a straw, as this may increase air swallowing and exacerbate GI symptoms [32]. In the event of severe GI AEs, dose escalation should be considered [32].

Symptoms of diarrhea have been shown to improve with the intake of probiotics [134,152]. Similar results have also been reported when the root cause of diarrhea is antibiotic intake [133,153]. Regarding abdominal distention and pain, a low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet may improve similar functional symptoms [127,128]. When small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is suspected, a low-fermentation diet, including low-FODMAP foods is recommended for a period of 4 to 6 weeks, along with meal spacing and avoidance of overnight eating [154]. In addition, probiotics, and sometimes their combination with antibiotics, may also be helpful [148].

Adequate hydration and dietary fiber intake are important strategies for mitigating constipation in patients treated with GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP RAs. Increasing daily water intake to at least 2 L, combined with the consumption of fiber-rich foods such as kiwi, prunes, or other dried fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can improve bowel regularity, provided that the fiber is well tolerated [126,129]. Stool softeners may be considered as adjuncts when necessary [122]. In cases of persistent constipation despite these interventions, temporary reduction in the GLP-1 RA dose can be considered [122]. Additionally, maintaining moderate-to-high levels of physical activity may further support GI motility and reduce the risk of constipation [130].

For patients experiencing appetite loss or very low dietary intake, proactive care to ensure micronutrient adequacy is essential. Supplementation with vitamin D, Calcium, and multivitamins should be considered, with particular emphasis on B-complex vitamins, fat-soluble vitamins (A, E, and K), Magnesium, Iron, and Zinc, to prevent deficiencies during periods of reduced caloric intake [124]. Given that obesity can also cause nutrient deficiencies due to altered nutrient metabolism and excretion, oral nutrient supplementation may be important [155] and should be considered on an individual basis.

Dyspepsia and postprandial fullness can be managed by adjusting meal composition and timing. “Lighter”, low-fat, and lower-fiber foods, including soups and well-cooked soft dishes, are better tolerated during flare ups [135]. Alcohol and carbonated beverages should be limited, and patients should consume small, frequent meals and avoid large late-evening dinners. Slow eating, stopping at the point of satiety, and avoiding high-fat, greasy, spicy, or large-volume meals can further reduce gastric discomfort [135].

Specific strategies also target eructation and GI reflux. Limiting foods that promote gas production, including beans, cabbage, and other cruciferous vegetables, and avoiding carbonated drinks are recommended [136]. Adherence to a low-FODMAP diet can be particularly helpful in cases of persistent bloating or gas-related symptoms [136]. For ongoing GERD, small and frequent meals, avoidance of late-night eating, and elimination of trigger foods can significantly reduce the symptom burden [137].

Recent World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines indicate that PwO should receive context-appropriate counseling on behavioral and lifestyle changes as the first step in treatment, including following healthy dietary patterns and adhering to physical activity [156]. In PwO, prescribed GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP RAs should be provided alongside IBT, entailing goal-setting regarding physical activity levels and dietary intake, restriction of energy intake, counselling (e.g., weekly, 30–45 min), and periodical assessment of goal attainment [156], as follow-ups till 24 months seem to have beneficial effects on body weight, quality of life, and the limitation of AEs. However, these frameworks rarely provide drug-specific instructions on how to eat in the presence of pharmacologically delayed gastric emptying, leaving clinicians without practical tools for the prevention of AEs.

To preserve muscle mass during body weight loss, it is recommended to consume 1.0–1.5 g of high-quality protein per kilogram of body weight, with a higher intake (>1.5 g/kg) considered for older adults, or post-bariatric surgery patients [123]. Protein sources should include lean meats, fish, unsweetened yogurt, and legumes [124], whereas processed meats should be limited [125]. Micronutrient supplementation with vitamin D, Calcium, or a multivitamin is advised, with particular attention to B-complex vitamins, fat-soluble vitamins (A, E, and K), Magnesium, Iron, and Zinc [124].

For individuals at risk of sarcopenia or cachexia, high-protein oral nutritional supplements (15–25 g protein per serving) are recommended, targeting a total daily intake of approximately 1.2–1.6 g/kg of body weight/day from lean sources, ideally combined with resistance training [124,146,147]. To reduce the risk of osteoporosis, Calcium and vitamin D supplementation, along with weight-bearing exercise, is recommended [145,157,158]. A practical goal for patients is 150–300 min/week of moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise plus 2–3 strength sessions, adjusted for individual fitness levels and tolerability of side effects [159]. Early in therapy, when patients may feel fatigued or nauseated, low-intensity, short-duration walks and light resistance exercise can be initiated and gradually increased as tolerated [32]. Body composition analysis, including bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), is important in evaluating changes in muscle and fat mass.

Personalized medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is increasingly critical for PwO using incretin-based therapies because both body weight loss efficacy and tolerability vary widely, driven in part by genetics, baseline phenotype, and lifestyle. Up to 30–55% of patients on GLP-1 RAs fail to achieve ≥5% weight loss in real-world cohorts [7], highlighting the need for precision lifestyle approaches rather than drug monotherapy alone. Pharmacogenomic studies have shown that variants in GLP1R (e.g., rs6923761, rs10305420) and ARRB1 meaningfully modify glycemic and weight loss responses to GLP-1 RAs, with some genotypes experiencing almost 30% greater HbA1c reduction, while others revealing an attenuated benefit [160]. Emerging pharmacogenomic data and clinical experience support a shift towards tailored genotype- and phenotype-informed MNT alongside GLP-1 RAs to enhance weight loss, improve adherence, and minimize complications [160].

The intestinal microbiota, as a dynamic interface between diet, host metabolism, and pharmacological response, represents a critical, yet underexplored factor in the personalization of obesity treatment [161,162,163]. A deeper understanding of how nutritional strategies interact with GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP-based therapies to shape the gut microbial ecosystem may provide important opportunities to optimize their efficacy, improve tolerability, and reduce AEs.

New pharmacotherapies targeting incretin pathways are currently underway, including results of the REDEFINE-4 trial, CagriSema and UBT251 injection (NCT07163624↗). Nevertheless, most ongoing trials have not incorporated structured lifestyle or nutritional interventions within their study protocols [164,165,166].

New pharmacotherapies for obesity have reshaped the therapeutic landscape. Nevertheless, discontinuation rates remain substantial and are predominantly driven by GI intolerance. Addressing these AEs through structured nutritional and dietary management may represent a critical opportunity to improve adherence and long-term effectiveness. Importantly, dietary care should be aligned with the physiological mechanisms of GLP-1/GIP RAs rather than relying exclusively on conventional calorie restriction paradigms. Future investigations should systematically integrate registered dietitians with expertise in incretin-based therapies into clinical pathways and trial designs. Expanding professional education in this area is essential to optimize adherence to treatment and ultimately maximize therapeutic efficacy.