Skip to Main Content
Call us: Mon-Fri 8:30AM-6PM, Sat-Sun 9:30AM-4:30PM 0800 031 8386
Skip to main content
Call us: Mon-Fri 8:30AM-6PM, Sat-Sun 9:30AM-4:30PM 0800 031 8386
Boots Advantage Card Shop Boots.com

Eating when on weight loss medicines

How to eat to support your weight loss with GLP-1 medicines

Research suggests that eating less carbohydrates when you’re using weight loss medicines that work on GLP-1 receptors like Wegovy, Saxenda or Mounjaro can improve your weight loss. This means limiting the carbohydrate content of all your meals to 10-40%.

Carbohydrate is found in foods like: bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, flour and sugar, as well as vegetables and fruit. Snacks are often a significant source of carbohydrate. They tend to be high in both sugar and refined carbohydrates.

Take a look at our recommended eating guides and choose an approach that works for you and your lifestyle. Low Carbohydrate, Mediterranean and Paleo Eating plans are all suitable.

Safety Advice This medication is NOT suitable if you have diabetes and are taking any diabetic medications. This medication is NOT safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Please also check with the Boots Online Doctor prescribing team to check other medical conditions for which Saxenda is NOT advised.

How to eat to support weight loss when taking orlistat

Recommendations:

  • Eat a lower fat diet
  • Balance meals to ensure that the fat content is no greater than 30% of the meal or less than 15g of fat per meal when taking Orlistat or Xenical. That is 1 tbsp of Olive oil / or 1 tbsp of butter
  • Avoid eating high fat foods
  • Avoid adding butter, oils and cream based dressing to your meals
  • Avoid snacking but if you really are hungry snack on fruit

Safety Advice This medication is NOT safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

How to Eat to lose weight when taking Orlistat or Xenical

Need treatment?

get started
Clinical review within 2–24 hours  
Repeat prescriptions available
Approved By:

Last reviewed on: 06/02/2024