Pharmacists Warn About Diet on Weight Loss Drugs – Here’s What To Eat - Newsweek

What the report says

Newsweek reported that pharmacists and medical experts are urging people using GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes drugs to pay closer attention to nutrition, warning that reduced appetite can raise the risk of “undernutrition.” The article focused on medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which Newsweek said have grown in popularity in the U.S.; it cited Statista data indicating one in eight Americans had used them as of March 2026.

Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, a Harvard professor of medicine and pediatrics, told Newsweek that patients may eat too little protein while losing weight, which can contribute to loss of lean muscle. She also pointed to possible shortfalls in vitamin D, calcium, iron and B vitamins when overall food intake drops. Newsweek reported that experts also flagged fatigue, dizziness, gastrointestinal side effects, and concerns about bone density and muscle preservation when diet and resistance exercise are not adequate.

The advice highlighted by Newsweek centers on making smaller meals more nutrient-dense. Stanford recommended prioritizing protein, eating regularly even when hunger is low, staying hydrated, limiting ultra-processed or sugary foods, considering supplements where appropriate, and combining diet with resistance training. Pharmacists at Curely, an online U.K. pharmacy, emphasized foods that deliver protein and nutrients in modest portions, such as fish, yogurt, legumes, seeds and edamame.

Dr. John Batsis of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill told Newsweek that choices should reflect medical needs, food preferences and digestive tolerance, and said working with a dietitian is important. Experts also advised contacting a clinician or dietitian if vomiting, poor hydration or severely limited intake persists.