Doctor Reveals 4 Foods That Trick Your Body Into Losing Weight Like Ozempic

It’s Not Ozempic, It’s the Diet

“It’s not the Ozempic—it’s the diet,” Hyman writes in the post. “These weight loss drugs might help some people temporarily, but they don’t address the root causes of weight gain and metabolic dysfunction.”

RELATED:20 Things You Need to Know About Ozempic and Weight Loss

If You Lose Weight Soley Because of Ozempic, You Are Likely Losing Muscle

“If you lose weight without prioritizing diet, protein, and strength training, you’re likely losing muscle—your body’s metabolic engine,” he continues. “This slows down your metabolism, making it even harder to maintain a healthy weight long term.”

His Client Only Lost 2 Pounds in 6 Months on Ozempic

“I had a patient lose 2 pounds on Ozempic,” he writes, adding in the video that it took him a whopping 6 months to do so. “It didn't really make him feel great. It had all these side effects,” he added.

RELATED:20 Possible Ozempic Side Effects

He Ended Up Losing 60 Pound by Doing Three Things

“He switched over to what I told him to do. He lost 60 pounds and he's reversed his diabetes and he's on his way back to full, full health,” he says in the clip. This involved focusing on food, protein, and exercise. In addition he “reversed his diabetes and reclaimed his health,” says Hyman.

Fundamental 1: Eat One Gram of Protein Per Pound of Bodyweight

“Before we rush to prescriptions, let’s start with the fundamentals,” says Hyman. Number one? “Eat a gram of protein per pound of ideal body weight,” he says. “I think it's, personally malpractice to prescribe one of these drugs unless that person has diet counseling and understands they need to eat a gram of protein per pound of ideal body weight and they're taught how to do it right and that they do it,” he says.

Fundamental 2: Strength Train at Least Three Times a Week

Next? “Commit to strength training at least 3 times a week,” he writes. “If you don't, what happens is this, you lose the weight, but up to half of the weight is muscle. Now muscle is your metabolic engine. It burns seven times the calories of fat, and when you lose muscle, your metabolism slows down. So then what happens? Then you stop the drug because it's side effects or you can't afford it forever. And then what happens? You gain back the weight,” he says, adding that will gain it back “all as fat, which means your metabolism is gonna be slower, even at the same weight that you were when you started, which means you need to eat less in order to just stay at that weight. You'll gain more weight even.”

Fundamental 3: Prioritize Whole Foods

And the third fundamental has to do with diet. He recommends staying away from processed foods. “Prioritize real, whole foods,” he writes.

RELATED:What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Taking Ozempic

He’s Not Opposed to Weight Loss Drugs

“I’m not opposed to these drugs. What I’m opposed to is the widespread use of them, and the lack of research on other interventions that work better,” Hyman concludes. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss20 Incredible Ozempic Success Stories of All Time.

How Ozempic Changes Your Eating Patterns

"We're still learning about how they work, but simplistically, I think of it in three ways," explains Dr. Surampudi. "One, they work in the way that we initially brought them to light with diabetes medications: They tell the pancreas to release more insulin, depending on what your blood glucose is. Two, they slow digestion down. Three, they also seem to have an effect on the brain, where they're actually quieting the brain down a little bit and helping you not think about food as much." Read on to learn six foods you should eat.

1. High-Quality Proteins

"Because these medications reduce your appetite and you can't eat as much, and because food stays in your stomach longer so you stay full longer, it's really important to make sure the food that you are eating is very high nutritional quality," explains Geri Lynn Grossan, registered dietitian nutritionist. She suggests eating protein first at meals since it's not something our bodies store.

2. Eggs and Lean Meats

Dr. Surampudi recommends focusing on the most bioavailable sources of protein: "Eggs, chicken, and fatty fishes are great sources of protein." These options are especially important when your appetite is reduced.

3. Plant-Based Proteins

"If you're more plant-based or you prefer to avoid animal products, look at things like tofu, edamame, and tempeh, which are all soy products. You can also get protein out of lentils and some beans," Dr. Surampudi explains.

4. Colorful Vegetables

"Each color represents a different phytonutrient," explains Dr. Surampudi. "If you've got three different-colored bell peppers, you're getting three sets of different phytonutrients. That doesn't mean every plate has to look like a rainbow, but throughout the week make sure you're varying your vegetables."

5. Low-Sugar Fruits

"Fruit over the years has gotten very, very sweet," notes Dr. Surampudi. "It has a higher carbohydrate count than once upon a time, so I usually recommend no more than two fruits per day, and people should view it more as a dessert or a snack."

6. Whole Grains and Legumes

Grossan recommends incorporating whole grains, beans, lentils, and legumes as part of a balanced diet. These foods provide sustained energy and additional protein. Read on to discover four foods to avoid.

1. High-Fat Foods

"Fats take a longer time to digest, so they already naturally spend a longer time in the stomach," Dr. Surampudi explains. "If you have an external stimulus that's slowing your digestion down, and then you have fat sitting in your stomach even longer, it might make you feel more nauseous."

2. Processed Foods

Think about what your grandma was eating 50 years ago, suggests Grossan. The rise in processed foods has changed our understanding of real food, and these should be limited while on Ozempic.

3. Deep-Fried Items

Dr. Surampudi specifically warns about avoiding "very highly processed fatty foods and deep fried foods" as they can increase side effects like nausea and vomiting.

4. Excess Alcohol

"Alcohol can play a funny role. It can worsen side effects for some people, like nausea and vomiting," Dr. Surampudi cautions. She recommends following standard guidelines: two or fewer drinks per day for men and one or less for women.

Staying Hydrated is Essential

Water becomes even more crucial while on Ozempic. "Not only does it curb hunger, but people sometimes forget that they're thirsty, so they're not drinking enough water," Dr. Surampudi emphasizes.

When Things Don't Feel Right

If you're experiencing side effects, Dr. Surampudi advises: "Listen to your body. For overindulgence, take a walk. It helps with motility and getting the food to digest a little bit more." She also emphasizes the importance of talking to your doctor about dose adjustments if side effects persist.

The Long-Term View

"I think this is just the beginning," Dr. Surampudi shares. "I think these medications are going to be an incredible tool in weight management. But it's important to remember it's just that: a tool in the toolbox, and we still need to prioritize diet and exercise."

Your Next Steps

Consider working with a registered dietitian to create a personalized meal plan. Many insurance plans cover nutritional counseling for obesity, making it an accessible way to optimize your Ozempic journey while ensuring proper nutrition.

A healthy weight loss goal is about two pounds per week. If you're losing more than that, you might not be getting enough calories to support your body's needs. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss20 Incredible Ozempic Success Stories of All Time.