How Should I Manage My Diet On GLP-1s? A Guide To Healthy Eating
Kim Phelps
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Dec 8, 2023
Managing your diet on a new weight loss journey can be complex. Take a look at our expert guide on what to eat when you’re using a GLP-1.
Wegovy is a popular weight loss treatment which contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Taken as a weekly injection, clinical trials have shown people using Wegovy to lose up to 15% of their body weight in just over a year, alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. [1] Read on to understand whether Wegovy is safe to use before, during and after pregnancy.
Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. This means it mimics the actions of GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone in the body. When we eat, GLP-1 helps to regulate blood sugar levels, slows digestion so food stays in the stomach longer and signals the brain to reduce appetite. [2] By activating these same pathways, Wegovy can support weight loss and maintenance by helping people feel fuller for longer and reducing overall food intake.
Wegovy should not be taken during pregnancy. It is recommended to stop taking Wegovy at least two months before a planned pregnancy.
If you are of childbearing age and sexually active, you should use contraception while taking Wegovy. Studies have shown that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, does not impact the absorption of the oral contraceptive pill. [3,4] You can continue taking this method of contraception during your treatment plan with Wegovy. Other available options include non-oral methods such as the implant or IUD, or barrier methods like condoms.
We can’t accurately say yet if medications like Wegovy affect the chances of becoming pregnant. We have seen in some research that medications belonging to the GLP-1 drug class may improve regularity in menstrual cycles which could potentially enhance fertility specifically in overweight women and/or with obesity who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). [5]
If you're planning on becoming pregnant, it is recommended that you stop using Wegovy at least two months beforehand. [6]
It is recommended to pause your Wegovy treatment while breastfeeding. Animal studies have demonstrated Wegovy to be present in breast milk. While we don’t know for sure how Wegovy could affect a breastfed baby, a risk can’t be ruled out. [7]
If you’ve started your weight loss journey with Wegovy or any other GLP-1 medication and have questions related to pregnancy, birth control, breastfeeding or beyond, our clinical team is here to help you every step of the way. You can check in with them here.
Or, if you’re ready to lose weight and keep it off long term with medication, visit our website here to find the right treatment for you.
1. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2021 Feb 10;384(11):989–1002. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
2. Wegovy (semaglutide) Information for Patients [Internet]. Drugs.com. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/wegovy.html
3. Jordy AB, Albayaty M, Breitschaft A, et al. Effect of oral semaglutide on the pharmacokinetics of levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol in healthy postmenopausal women and furosemide and rosuvastatin in healthy subjects. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2021;60(9):1171e1185.
4. Kapitza C, Nosek L, Jensen L, Hartvig H, Jensen CB, Flint A. Semaglutide, a once-weekly human GLP-1 analog, does not reduce the bioavailability of the combined oral contraceptive, ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel. J Clin Pharmacol. 2015 May;55(5):497-504. doi: 10.1002/jcph.443. Epub 2015 Jan 14. PMID: 25475122; PMCID: PMC4418331.
5. Jensterle M, Janez A, Fliers E, DeVries JH, Vrtacnik-Bokal E, Siegelaar SE. The role of glucagon-like peptide-1 in reproduction: from physiology to therapeutic perspective. Human Reproduction Update [Internet]. 2019 Jul 1;25(4):504–17. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31260047/
6. Wegovy 0.5 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2024 [cited 2025 Feb 26]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13800/pil
7. NICE [Internet]. NICE. 2025. Available from: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/semaglutide/#pregnancy
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Managing your diet on a new weight loss journey can be complex. Take a look at our expert guide on what to eat when you’re using a GLP-1.
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