Key takeaways
- For optimal results with Zepbound, it’s important to combine the medication with a balanced, calorie-reduced diet and consistent physical activity.
- Focusing on nutrient-rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins (similar to a Mediterranean or USDA-recommended eating pattern), can help support weight loss goals with this medication.
- During Zepbound treatment, it’s beneficial to minimize highly processed foods with added sugars, as they offer little nutritional value and can lead to blood sugar fluctuations that hinder weight management.
Zepbound is FDA approved and prescribed to:
- reduce excess body weight and maintain weight loss long term in adults with obesity, to be used along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity
- reduce excess body weight and maintain weight loss long term in adults with overweight plus at least one weight-related complication, to be used along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity
- treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity
In this article, you can learn about some foods to eat and avoid during treatment with Zepbound.
Zepbound works by decreasing your appetite and reducing your food intake. You don’t need to adhere to a specific diet while taking Zepbound. But keep in mind that you use this medication in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise.
For losing weight, most dieticians
- balanced nutrition
- lower calorie intake than what you need to maintain your body weight
Certain eating patterns or diets can help you lose weight and manage weight loss when used along with physical activity. Eating patterns sometimes differ. But the following two diets share several common factors that may work well during Zepbound treatment.
Mediterranean diet
The
| Emphasize | Include | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| • vegetables • fruits • whole grains • beans and legumes | • low fat or fat-free dairy • fish • poultry • nontropical vegetable oils • nuts | • added sugars • sugary beverages • sodium • highly processed foods • refined carbohydrates • saturated fats • fatty or processed meats |
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommendations
For optimum weight management, the USDA published
| Emphasize | Minimize | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| • fruits • vegetables • whole grains • fat-free or low fat milk products a variety of protein foods such as: • seafood • lean meats • poultry • eggs • legumes • soy products • nuts and seeds | • saturated fats • trans fats • cholesterol • added sugars • salt | processed foods with added sugar, such as: • soda and soft drinks • candy and chocolates • pastries and doughnuts • sweetened cereals • ice cream and frozen desserts • flavored yogurt • fruit drinks and sports drinks • syrups • granola bars and protein bars • sweetened coffee or tea beverages |
Processed foods with added sugar usually don’t offer much nutritional benefit. They also can cause your blood sugar to go up and down which can promote fat gain and cause cravings for sugary snacks.
Nutrient-rich meals have foods rich in protein and nutrients.
The following meal ideas can help support your weight loss goals during Zepbound treatment:
| Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|
| • smoothie with protein powder and fresh or frozen fruit • oatmeal with Greek yogurt, seeds, and fruit • avocado toast with an egg • omelet with vegetables | • salmon with brown rice and high fiber vegetables such as spinach or broccoli • grilled chicken sandwich • quinoa bowl with beans or chickpeas • lentil soup with whole grain bread • salmon poke bowl | • chicken stir-fry with mixed vegetables • shrimp tacos with slaw • lentil and vegetable curry • tofu and vegetable stir-fry • cauliflower fried rice with fish |
Apart from the food choices themselves, there are other tips you can follow to help make your Zepbound treatment as successful as possible.
Focus on hydration
Staying well hydrated is essential when taking Zepbound, as it helps support digestion and overall metabolic health. Drinking enough water may also help manage potential gastrointestinal side effects of Zepbound such as nausea. Aim to drink water throughout the day, and consider incorporating hydrating foods like cucumbers, celery, and melon into your meals.
Track your progress with a food journal
Keeping a food journal or using a mobile tracking app can be a powerful tool for weight management. It allows you to monitor your daily calorie intake and ensure you’re meeting your protein goals. By recording what you eat, you can identify patterns, such as which foods make you feel most satisfied or which might trigger unwanted side effects like nausea.
Practice mindful eating
Because Zepbound works by decreasing your appetite and making you feel full sooner, it’s important to listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues. Eating slowly and avoiding distractions during meals can help you recognize the exact moment you are satisfied. This practice prevents overeating and can reduce the likelihood of experiencing discomfort after meals.
Why am I not eating on Zepbound?
Zepbound works by decreasing your appetite, and when you’re not hungry, you’re likely to eat less.
Some people develop nausea as a side effect of Zepbound. If you do and you’re having difficulty eating, you may want to adjust your meals. Try eating more frequent, smaller meals, focusing on protein and foods rich in nutrients.
If you do have nausea and it’s severe or persistent, it’s a good idea to see your doctor. They may recommend lowering your dose of Zepbound or stopping the medication.
The following are answers to some commonly asked questions about foods to eat during Zepbound treatment.
If your goal is to lose weight, it might be tempting to skip breakfast. But eating breakfast can help keep you feeling full longer. Plus, it may help keep your blood sugar levels stable throughout the day.
A 2023 study included a group of people with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes. Its researchers found that consuming breakfast was linked to greater weight loss. People who ate breakfast lost more weight than the people who skipped it.
It’s best to avoid overly sugary foods for breakfast since these may lead to rapid spikes in your blood sugar.
Some breakfast ideas that can help support your weight loss goals are:
• Greek yogurt with berries and oats
• avocado toast with an egg
• sugar-free oatmeal with seeds and berries
• vegetable omelet
• smoothie with high protein powder
• whole grain pancakes with an egg and fresh fruit
No, you don’t have to eat anything specific on your Zepbound shot day. You can inject Zepbound with or without regard to meals. Eating does not influence the effectiveness of your injection.
While Zepbound is a powerful tool for weight loss, it’s much more effective when paired with a healthy lifestyle. The medication is FDA-approved specifically to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. A balanced diet provides the essential nutrients your body needs to maintain muscle mass and energy levels as you lose weight.
Additionally, the quality of your food choices can influence how you feel during treatment. Prioritizing nutrient dense foods like lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains helps stabilize blood sugar levels and prevents the “crashes” often associated with highly processed, sugary foods.
By establishing healthy eating habits now, you’re not just losing weight, you’re building the foundation necessary to maintain your weight loss long term.
The recommended daily value of protein for adults over the age of 18 years is 0.8 grams (g) per kilogram (kg) of body weight. For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb). For a person weighing 150 lb, this is at least 54 g of protein daily. For a person weighing 250 lb, this is at least 90 g daily.
While taking Zepbound, no particular amount of protein needs to be consumed. But it’s often recommended to get at least 10% to 35% of your total calories from protein. It’s a good idea to try and reach these minimum amounts to support your overall health.
You don’t have to eat or avoid any particular foods during treatment with Zepbound. But for best results, you should combine the medication with regular physical activity and a balanced diet.
Eating plenty of nutrient rich foods such as whole grains, fish, fruits, and vegetables can help support your weight loss goals. It’s a good idea to minimize your intake of highly processed foods that contain added sugar, since they don’t offer much nutritional value and leave you wanting more.
Some people may experience certain side effects during treatment with Zepbound that prevent them from eating. The side effects may decrease their appetite or make it difficult to eat. If you experience these side effects, let your doctor know. They may lower your dosage or have you stop the medication.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.