You can eat pretty much whatever you like while taking Saxenda, but that doesn't mean you should! You will need to reduce your calorie intake, whether that is through reducing portion sizes or cutting down on snacks and junk food.
If you’ve considered taking Saxenda as a part of your weight loss plan, you may be wondering about how it will affect the foods you eat and whether you’ll still be able to enjoy the foods you love most.
Well, you may be surprised to find that your options are much more open than you might have thought!
We’re going to take a closer look at Saxenda and the foods that you can eat while you’re taking it, as well as anything you’ll need to avoid during your treatment.
Let’s start by learning a little bit more about how Saxenda works…
How does Saxenda work?
Saxenda contains an active ingredient called Liraglutide, which is a type of medication called a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Liraglutide works by stimulating the production of a hormone called insulin in your pancreas while also slowing down the production of a hormone called glucagon.
This combination means that Saxenda effectively slows down the emptying of your stomach, helps you feel fuller for longer, and helps to reduce your appetite — what a combination!
If you’re looking to lose weight, you can see how this may help, by decreasing your appetite you’ll find it easier to stick to a calorie-controlled diet and lose weight.
Are Saxenda and Victoza the same thing?
Saxenda and Victoza are two different medications that use the same active ingredient — Liraglutide.
Victoza is a medication that is used to help type 2 diabetes patients control their blood sugar.
It was licensed before Saxenda and is partially responsible for the creation of Saxenda as a weight-loss treatment.
When Victoza was prescribed to patients with diabetes it soon became clear that they were finding it easier to lose weight than they were before, so the scientists behind it started to research the possibility of using it as a weight loss medication and here we are!
Saxenda is the first weight loss injection to be licensed in the UK and it’s working very effectively for the patients who have been prescribed it for this purpose.
What foods should I avoid while taking Saxenda?
So now we know a little more about how Saxenda works, it’s time to talk diet.
As much as we would love to say that you could just inject Saxenda once a day and watch the pounds melt away, it’s not quite that simple.
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With any weight loss plan, the aim will be to reduce your calorie intake enough so that you can make steady progress through your weight loss journey.
Naturally, this will mean cutting down on high-calorie foods and keeping an eye on portion sizes.
With that being said, there aren’t any foods that you absolutely must not eat while taking Saxenda, the treatment plan is more focused on making it easier for you to stick to a calorie-controlled diet.
By reducing your appetite and making your cravings more manageable, Saxenda can help you to eat fewer high-calorie foods and sustain your weight loss over time.
What can I eat while taking Saxenda?
You can eat pretty much whatever you like while taking Saxenda, but that doesn’t mean you should!
You will need to reduce your calorie intake, whether that is through reducing portion sizes or cutting down on snacks and junk food.
As long as you consistently eat fewer calories you can choose how that works for you, but we recommend sticking to a healthy and balanced diet.
If you’re not sure where to start, you could speak to your healthcare team and ask for their help or look into the Eatwell Guide, which can help you to make sure you’re getting enough of the recommended nutrients in every meal.
Is there a food plan to go with Saxenda?
There isn’t a specific diet plan designed to go alongside Saxenda, as long as you’re reducing your calorie intake and getting some exercise you can manage your diet how you want to.
However, if you’re the type of person who finds it easier to stick to a diet when you have a food plan to follow then there are plenty of options available to you.
One of our favourites is NHS’s weight loss plan, which is available for free on their app and is designed to help you form new habits.
This plan will help you to plan your meals, get active, and keep track of your progress throughout your weight loss journey, everything you need to give your motivation a boost!
Can you take Saxenda on an empty stomach?
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Yes, you can take Saxenda on an empty stomach, in fact, you can take Saxenda whenever you think will be best for you.
You may find that taking Saxenda when you take any of your other regular medication can help you to remember to inject it at the same time every day.
Whether you take it first thing in the morning, last thing at night, with a meal, without a meal, in a hat, with a cat, or while holding a bat, as long as you take it at the same time every day you’ll be fine.
That being said, some people find that taking Saxenda on a full stomach or on an empty stomach can help them manage any side effects they may be experiencing.
This can vary from person to person, so let’s look into that a little more…
Will Saxenda make me feel nauseous?
Nausea, or feeling sick, is a very common side effect of Saxenda, meaning that 1 in 10 people will experience it while taking this medication.
However, if this happens to you you shouldn’t be disheartened, your nausea will often ease off as you continue your treatment and your body gets used to Liraglutide.
Of course, if you’re concerned about nausea or any other side effects of your medication, you should speak to your doctor, prescriber, or another healthcare professional, just in case.
If you are feeling sick during your Saxenda treatment, there are a couple of things you can do to help reduce symptoms while your body gets used to the medication.
For starters, you can try eating bland, low-fat foods or foods that contain a lot of water, these will be easier to digest and will be less likely to irritate your stomach.