Weight loss medicines and treatments have gained popularity over the past few years with more medicines becoming FDA approved. If you’re also struggling with weight gain and obesity, then it can be a big relief to get a medicine that functions to lessen hunger and aid in losing weight.
Similarly, there is a famous option known as Saxenda which is an injectable weight loss medicine. It is FDA-approved for obese children and adults over 12 years of age.
In this blog, we will highlight the uses and functioning of Saxenda and what foods to avoid while on Saxenda. Moreover, we will also look into the best foods to eat while on Saxenda.
Saxenda – A Popular Weight Loss Option
Saxenda is an anti-diabetic medicine that has been used to treat Type 2 Diabetes and chronic Obesity. The active ingredient in Saxenda is Liraglutide. It is a second-line therapy for diabetes after the first-line therapy, Metformin.
It is an injectable medicine that can be used by children and adults who are overweight.
How Saxenda Works?
Saxenda has Liraglutide which functions by mimicking the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone which is produced naturally by our body.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone mainly reduces hunger and appetite in two ways.
Firstly, it slows down digestion which keeps food in the stomach for long periods and gives you a feeling of fullness. Secondly, it sends a signal to the brain that transcribes that you are full.
Thus, feeling full the whole day helps to effectively reduce calorie intake which can cause increased weight loss.
RELATED: How To Lose Weight In 10 Days? Tips And Tricks
Saxenda Side Effects
Some of the common side effects of Saxenda are as follows:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Skin irritation or pain at the injection site
- Indigestion
- Fever
- Injection site reactions like pain or skin irritation
- Headaches
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Abdominal pain
Some rare side effects of Saxenda experienced by some people are as follows:
- Increased risk of thyroid tumors
- Hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Serious allergic reactions
- Anxiety
- Kidney and gallbladder problems
- Insomnia
- Fast heartbeat
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors (very rare)
If you experience any serious side effects after taking Saxenda, then you should consult the best general physician in Pakistan via Marham.pk.
RELATED: Weight Loss Tips That Need Little Lifestyle Changes!
How to Avoid Side Effects of Saxenda?
The common side effects of Saxenda are constipation, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. The healthcare provider typically recommends a low dose of Saxenda and gradually increases it. This helps the body to adjust to the medication.
However, if the side effects do not go away, then they can be relieved by following these tips:
- Eat slowly
- Consume small meals
- Consume foods that are light and simple in flavor
- Avoid spicy foods
- Don’t lie down immediately after eating
- Drink clear and cold drinks (such as water or iced tea)
6 Foods to Avoid While on Saxenda
Saxenda is designed to function along with healthy lifestyle changes such as increased physical activity and a healthy diet to aid weight loss.
However, the good news is that there are no off-limit specific diets or food while taking Saxenda. Some foods linked with weight gain can restrict your ability to reach your goals and weight loss.
Here is a list of foods to avoid while on Saxenda that can aid in losing weight more promptly:
1. Processed Foods
Highly processed foods are rich in fats, sodium, and sugar, and have low amounts of minerals and vitamins. Research conducted in 2019 showed that a diet full of processed foods is linked with weight gain.
Sugars, sodium, and fats can cause bloating and related digestive issues. Processed foods have low nutritional value and are high in calories than whole-food counterparts which slows down the weight loss.
Some of the highly processed foods you should avoid are as follows:
- Ice cream
- Chips
- Candies
- Donuts
- Fast Food
- Packaged Baked Goods
- Lunch Meat
- Packaged Dressings and Sauces
Therefore, if you are using Saxedan, then you should avoid highly processed foods and consume minimally processed foods that are close to their state in nature.
Minimally processed foods include:
- Vegetables
- Fresh Fruits
- Protein (Chicken or Fish)
- Whole Grains
2. Saturated Fat Foods
Fat is higher in calories than carbohydrates and proteins. Consuming less saturated fat is associated with more effective weight loss.
Eating too much saturated fat foods can raise the risk of certain health conditions such as heart disease. A study conducted in 2020 reported that lessening saturated fat consumption can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke or heart attack.
Some of the foods that are high in saturated fats are as follows:
- Lard
- Heavy cream
- Butter
- Red meat
- Coconut and coconut oil
- Sausages and bacon
- Cheese
- Dark meat from poultry
- Palm oil
3. Sugary Drinks and Foods
Sugar-sweetened foods and drinks have large quantities of sugar and calories.
Thus, if you sip on these foods and drinks throughout the day, it will add more calories to the daily count, and won’t allow the Saxenda from supporting weight loss.
On the other hand, artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, erythritol, sucralose, sorbitol, and aspartame, have been shown to negatively change the balance of gut bacteria, leading to digestion issues, weight issues, and absorption issues.
High-sugar foods such as sodas, candies, juices, desserts, pastries, etc can counteract the effectiveness of this medicine.
Moreover, sugar can cause diarrhea or digestive issues showing the side effects of Saxenda.
Useful Tip: To increase the effectiveness of Saxenda, consume water. You can add lime, lemon, cucumber, or strawberries in the water can add flavor and can also make it a healthy choice.
4. Alcohol
There are particularly no food interactions between Saxenda and alcohol.
However, excessive alcohol consumption is linked to overeating and may be a risk factor for gaining weight and obesity (Something that you’re trying to prevent while taking Saxenda).
Consuming alcohol and Saxends can also increase the risk of low glucose levels (hypoglycemia) and pancreatitis.
Hence, you should consult with the doctor about how much alcohol consumption is safe for you to consume.
5. Foods High in Sodium
Foods that are high in sodium can cause digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and also weight gain.
Foods that are high in Sodium and you should avoid are chips, fast foods, soups, deli meats, pickles, packaged snack foods, etc.
Saxenda slows down digestion and this aggravates these digestive issues if high-sodium foods are consumed.
6. Fried Foods and Fatty Meats
Fried foods and fatty meats can slow the digestion process which can cause consitpation, bloating, or gas. Moreover, fried foods and fatty meals also have rich amounts of saturated fats which can negatively impact health by increasing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
Some of the fried foods and fatty meats you should avoid include:
- Ribeye Steak
- Bacon
- Sausages
- Chicken Thighs
- Fast Food
- Ground Beef
You can also watch this video by Yumna Chattha in which she talks about how to lose weight fast and effectively.
Best Foods to Consume While on Saxenda
For optimal health and weight loss, you should consume the following foods while on Saxenda:
- Vegetables (Leafy greens, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, and carrots)
- Whole grains (Whole-grain bread, oatmeal, brown rice, whole-grain pasta, and quinoa)
- Fresh fruits (Grapes, berries, pears, apples, and other fruits)
- Legumes (Beans, soybeans, lentils, chickpeas)
- Lean proteins (Skinless poultry, lean ground turkey or beef, eggs, fish)
- Healthy fats (Avocados, nuts/seeds, olive oil, nut/seed butter)
- Dairy (Milk, cheese, yogurt)
- Fermented Foods (Yogurt, kimchi, kefir, sauerkraut)
RELATED: How to Lose Weight with PCOS – A Complete Plan
Key Takeaways
Saxenda is an injectable medicine effective for people who are trying to lose weight. It is also used to treat Type 2 Diabetes.
If you are someone who is using, then you should read the foods to avoid while on Saxends.
Moreover, you can also consult a professional dietitian in Pakistan via Marham.pk, if you want to have more information on Saxenda and its relative uses.
You can also book any appointment with any specialty doctor via Marham’s application or by calling us at 03111222398.