Saxenda (liraglutide) is a 3mg prescribed injectable medication for adults who struggle with weight loss. It is mainly prescribed to adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or more and children between the ages of 12-17 years who weigh above 132 pounds (60 kg). Weight loss pens which is becoming more mainstream as Saxenda, Ozempic and Victoza are becoming more popular.
Saxenda pens treats obesity and excess weight by regulating your appetite. But it is also used to treat type 2 diabetes as it helps control the level of blood glucose in the body.
Saxenda is prescribed with a doctor’s approval. It is recommended to pair the medication with regular exercise and a low-caloric diet. Patients should not rely on the medication alone; they must take steps to alter their lifestyle to see improvement. Saxenda comes with a preloaded cartridge (similar functionality as insulin cartridges, such as Humalog Mix25) which allows the patient to inject themselves with the appropriate amount of medication.
What Should I Avoid Eating While on Saxenda?
Even when losing weight, it is not recommended to cut out food groups entirely. It can become difficult to stick to a diet plan when extreme restrictions are set. It is suggested to stop using the term diet and start thinking about a lifestyle change. A diet implies a goal with an end date, while a lifestyle change encourages a lifetime of good habits.
It is better to account for foods you enjoy – such as chocolate and french fries – while maintaining an overall healthy diet. Including foods you love that fall outside of the healthy realm from time to time, helps you to maintain a healthy diet in the long term.
When you are not indulging yourself, here are some foods you should avoid with your regular diet while on Saxenda.
Processed Sugars
Whether you are trying to lose weight or not, we all know that excess consumption of processed sugar is harmful to your health.
Unlike the natural sugar found in fruits and honey, processed sugar spikes our blood sugar levels, as it is absorbed a lot faster by our body. Due to this, the energy gained from such sugars is not sustained and lasts for a shorter amount of time. To keep our energy at a level high, we keep eating sugar to maintain it.
Foods made with processed sugars such as cakes, donuts, ice cream, etc., have these adverse effects on our body and should be avoided when trying to lose weight.
It is important to note, that it is quite easy to become addicted to sugar. Going through a sugar withdrawal may cause side effects.
Refined Carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates – such as white flour, white bread, and white pasta – have the same effects on our bodies as processed sugars.
When carbs are overly refined, they are stripped of their fiber and many of their vitamins and minerals. When foods lack fiber, they are absorbed faster into our bloodstream, hence raising glucose and insulin levels.
Refined carbs have a reduced ability to make us feel full and satisfied. This can lead to overeating, which plays against weight loss efforts.
The elimination of carbohydrates have become very popular in modern-day diets, such as keto.
Sugary Drinks
Sugary drinks such as fizzy drinks and processed fruit juices are some of the unhealthiest foods on the planet.
Even though such drinks consist of the same calories found in solid foods containing processed sugars, our bodies do not register liquid calories as they do not make us feel full. Since these drinks do not make us full, it becomes hard to compensate for them within our diet.
We end up consuming more calories and sugars than the drinks we consume. This can lead to weight gain when enjoyed in excess.
Alcohol
When looking at alcohol in terms of weight gain, the type of alcohol consumed is important. The effects of alcohol on weight will depend on the number of calories contained and what percentages of those calories are carbs. In this light, beer is associated with weight gain.
Although drinking in moderation has no known effects on weight, heavy drinking is linked to weight gain.
Fast Food
Cheap prices paired with convenience makes fast food a quick solution for meals. Despite being advertised as well-rounded foods, most fast foods are filled with refined carbs, sugars, and meat. Lacking fiber, these foods rank low on how satisfied they make us feel. The consequences of fast food have been well documented and continue to be harmful to everyones health.
Alongside this, the high sodium content in such foods may cause water retention, which may tip the scale in the opposite direction.
Overly Spicy or Seasoned Foods
The intake of Saxenda is associated with GI and digestion problems. Patients who are prescribed the drug are recommended to consume bland foods to avoid such issues.
Processed Snack Foods
Processed foods such as chips, candies, granola bars, and most foods categorized as “snacks” are filled with empty calories and have minimal nutritional value.
Most of these foods are laden with unhealthy oils, refined carbs, and added sugars.
It’s tough but it is best for you to lay down the Lays.
What Should I Include in My Diet While on Saxenda?
Protein
Protein has been proven to aid weight loss by giving a sense of fullness and satisfaction. They release energy over a spread-out period of time, reducing your hunger levels and making sure you don’t overeat.
Some healthy protein options include chicken, salmon, lentils, chickpeas, eggs, tofu, and spinach.
When on Saxenda, patients are encouraged to increase their exercise intake. Protein is important for muscle and tissue repair, which is necessary when increasing your exercise levels.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are full of minerals, vitamins, and nutrients. They help in losing weight and have many additional benefits, such as healthy skin and hair, better digestion, and more energy.
It is recommended that patients pair each meal with servings of both fruits and vegetables. Their high fiber content aids in keeping you full for longer.
Fiber
Not only found in fruits and vegetables but also whole grains, beans, and nuts, fiber plays a great role in hunger levels.
Although fiber cannot be digested, it is beneficial for gut health. This helps aid in the GI that result from Saxenda and prevents constipation. Fiber also takes us more room in your stomach, which helps to keep you full for a longer amount of time.
Most foods high in fiber tend to be low in calories; this helps keep patients on Saxenda on track with their low-calorie diet.
Healthy Fats
Healthy fats help to create a sense of fullness, add flavor to food, and slow down digestion. Good sources of such fats include avocados, olive oil, nuts, nut and seed butter, dark chocolate, and fatty fish.
These types of fats contain compounds that are linked to reduced obesity.
Stay away from canola oil for cooking, and replace it with virgin coconut oil.
There are plenty of delicious keto supplements available in many groceries stores today.
Overview and Summary
Saxenda is prescribed to patients who suffer from excess weight, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. The main goal of this medication is to help patients lose weight. Many Americans find it cheaper to buy their medication through a Canadian prescription fulfillment service, such as Insulin Outlet.
Even though this medication helps reduce weight to some extent, patients must manage their lifestyles by adjusting their activity levels and food choices. With the main aim of weight loss, patients must avoid certain foods in order to achieve their goals.
Foods that are higher in calories but provide, comparatively, lower nutritional benefits should be avoided. These foods are mostly processed and packaged and consist mainly of refined ingredients.
More importantly eating habits as just as important as the types of food eaten when a patient is trying to lose weight. Rather than completely avoiding certain foods, patients should aim to enjoy certain foods in moderation.
Having a serving of ice cream from time to time or fast food for a meal once a week will not disrupt your progress, but it is important to make sure that such foods do not encompass the entirety of your diet.
Even within regular meals, the proportion of the foods eaten should be balanced. Meals should include protein, whole grains or carbs, vegetables, and healthy fats. Pairing these things together makes the meal well balanced – this makes it so that the meal has an ideal effect on the body.
Patients should have a healthy attitude towards food – categorizing foods into “good” and “bad” or “foods that I can eat” and “foods I cannot eat” tends to reduce the effectiveness of weight loss efforts. Everything should be enjoyed in moderation rather than being completely avoided.
Saxenda Weight-Loss Pens
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