Short answer: A 2025 joint advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association and The Obesity Society says to focus on nutrient-dense, minimally processed foods, because people eat much less on these medicines. It lists fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean proteins, nuts and seeds, and suggests limiting refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks, red and processed meats and most fast food. It also stresses enough protein, fluids and strength training to protect muscle.
The Wegovy and Zepbound labels approve the medicines for use together with a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity. The advisory explains why the food side needs attention: eating much less makes it harder to get enough vitamins, minerals and protein, and fast weight loss can take muscle and bone along with fat. It names nutrient shortfalls, muscle and bone loss, and stomach side effects among the main challenges of treatment.
The advisory is written for clinicians, and it lists counseling with a registered dietitian nutritionist among the supports that help. What follows is a summary of what it says, not a meal plan.
| Encourage | Minimize or avoid |
|---|---|
| Fruits and vegetables | Refined grains, flour, starches and sugars |
| Whole grains and legumes | Sugar-sweetened drinks |
| Lean proteins | Red and processed meats |
| Nuts and seeds | Most fast food, ultraprocessed sweets and savory snacks |
The advisory notes that many people on GLP-1s report fewer cravings for sweet, starchy and high-fat foods, and some report more interest in fruits and vegetables. It says dietary counseling may shape these changes.
On supplements, it says vitamin D, calcium, vitamin B12 or a multivitamin-mineral can be considered for nutrients at risk, at doses tailored to the person. Which ones, if any, is a question for your prescriber or dietitian.
The advisory cites the general adult recommended intake of 0.8 g of protein per kg of body weight per day, and notes that higher targets of 1.2 to 1.6 g/kg/day have been proposed during active weight loss. It adds two cautions: for people with obesity it is unclear whether to calculate this from actual body weight, an adjusted weight or lean mass, since actual weight can overstate needs; and intake at or above 2 g/kg/day for long periods should be avoided. Intake below 0.4 to 0.5 g/kg/day can lead to muscle loss.
It pairs protein with resistance (strength) training as the main ways to preserve muscle and bone during weight loss.
Stomach side effects are most likely when starting or raising the dose. For nausea, the advisory lists smaller, more frequent meals, avoiding fatty or high-fiber foods in the first few days of treatment, and, for people caught in a cycle of not eating, a small breakfast followed by small meals every 3 to 4 hours with enough fluids. It says vomiting is more likely after large meals, and that alcohol can worsen nausea and reflux and should be kept to a minimum.
The labels' patient leaflets add that diarrhea, nausea and vomiting can cause dehydration that may lead to kidney problems, and that it is important to drink fluids. For constipation, see the constipation answer.
A food and symptom log next to your dose days shows which meals sit badly and whether that changes after a dose step. Dose Track lets you log meals, weight and side effects alongside each dose.
Read more on Dose Track: GLP-1s and muscle loss · GLP-1 nausea: what the labels say · GLP-1s and alcohol · Weight loss · GLP-1 brand guides · GLP-1 receptor agonist (glossary)