With summer on the horizon, losing weight can be front of mind for many as they plan beach trips and vacations. Everywhere you look people are talking about the latest and greatest injections known as GLPs, a “quick fix” to shedding pounds. But don’t forget about the tried-and-true weight loss program of adding fresh fruits and veggies to your diet!
As with any miracle weight loss aid, there are always implications on your future health. GLP-1 medications like Ro, Ozempic, and Wegovy, to name a few, work by mimicking hormones in your body that regulate appetite, slow digestion, and manage blood sugar. After giving yourself an injection of these hormones, similar to a steroid injection, your appetite is suppressed, and gastric emptying slows to keep you feeling full longer. While caloric reduction is essential for weight loss, some clinical cases reported patients with such strong food aversions that they were restricting calories to less than 400 per day. Additionally, long term side effects of using these new medications are unknown beyond 2 years. Malnutrition and dehydration are immediate concerns, while long term use may negatively impact neural pathways, hormone regulation, and cause organ damage.
As Hippocrates, the ancient father of Western medicine, said long ago, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” The best way to regulate appetite, slow digestion, and manage blood sugar is by consuming a diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, and wholesome foods. The fiber found in produce naturally signals satiety and regulates blood sugar. Fruits and vegetables also come equipped with all the vitamins and minerals that your body needs to thrive. You can consume them for a lifetime, they’re inexpensive, and you can eat as much as your heart desires. Give your body more of what it needs, not less, and reap the benefits that come along the way from positive lifestyle changes.
