Semaglutide is a great option for weight loss. However, while it’s effective and can give noticeable results in a few weeks, it’s not at its best when it’s not paired with health and diet modifications. As with other weight loss medications, semaglutide works most effectively when combined with lifestyle changes like a balanced, nutrient-rich diet and regular physical activity. 

Enter fibers. Fibers not only complement the benefits of semaglutide but also enhance the tolerability of the drug. They slow down digestion and stabilize blood sugar levels, boosting semaglutide’s ability to reduce appetite and delay gastric emptying. This in turn helps you stay fuller for much longer and curbs unhealthy cravings, making it easier to maintain a calorie-controlled diet. Beyond enhancing effectiveness, fibers can also help you lower the chances of experiencing the side effects associated with semaglutide. 

Read on to find out the best foods with high-fiber content that fit perfectly with semaglutide to help you get the best results on your weight loss journey.

What is Semaglutide and How Does it Work?

Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or simply put, GLP-1 RAs. It acts by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone that’s released in the gut in response to eating. This hormone plays a major role in managing your blood sugar and appetite. 

Semaglutide mimics the role of GLP-1 in the body by stimulating insulin production, reducing the rate of digestion, and sending signals to the brain that make you feel satisfied quicker and longer. The combination of the effects makes semaglutide an effective option for weight loss and a great addition to the management of type-2 diabetes.

Best High-Fiber Foods to Pair with Semaglutide

Semaglutide has no specific dietary guidelines. However, when using it for weight loss, it is best to pair it with a reduced-calorie diet. Fibers are carbohydrates found in plant foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 

A recent study showed that people who increased the fiber content in their diet lost almost as much weight as people who followed the American Heart Association’s low-fat and heart-healthy diets. So, how do fibers help you reduce weight?

While they don’t possess any magical fat-burning properties, they help you lose weight by making you feel full without the extra calories. Fiber-rich foods are bulky and expand when consumed, taking up more space in the stomach. This, in turn, stretches the stomach and signals the brain that you’re full, making you feel satisfied with smaller portions. They’re also slowly digested by the body, which means they stay in your stomach longer and reduce the urge for snacking between meals.

Here are some top high-fiber foods to include in your diet:

1. Vegetables: Broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrots, cabbages, spinach, beets
2. Fruits: Apples, pears, berries, plums, figs
3. Whole Grains: Oats, Quinoa, barley, millet
4. Nuts and Seeds: Chia seeds, Flax seeds, walnuts, almonds
5. Legumes: lentils, chickpeas, green peas, navy beans

Now, you might be asking yourself why fruits like bananas and avocados are not included in this list. Well, while all fruits and vegetables contain fiber, it is most concentrated in the skin, seeds, and membranes. This means that an apple or a berry with the skin intact contains more fiber than a peeled banana.

In addition to fiber-rich foods, lean proteins like eggs fish, and healthy fats like olive oil or fish are good choices for supporting weight loss and overall health. 

Foods to Avoid

Steer clear of high-calorie, low-nutrient food!

Foods high in calories, sugars, and processed ingredients should be avoided while taking semaglutide. At this point, you’re probably thinking this is impossible and you just can’t do this — but don’t panic yet. They aren’t completely prohibited, but you’ll do yourself a world of good by reducing them in your diets. 

Aside from the fact that these foods are anti-weight loss, they can also increase the chances of side effects that come with semaglutide use. 

For example, fats are known to slow down digestion similar to how semaglutide does. When combined — especially when a large amount of fatty food is consumed at once — the risk of nausea and abdominal discomfort is heightened. 

So, while we’re not saying you should abstain from them completely, keep them at the minimum.

Weight Loss Tips

Here are a few tips to help you maximize the benefits of semaglutide.

Cut it down— literally. 

To reduce the risk of GI discomfort and reduce the amount of food you eat, it’s best to start slowly. Try serving just half of what you’d normally eat and eat as slowly as you can. After that, wait for around 20 minutes to see if you’re still hungry before making the trip to the kitchen for another serving. 

Make your goals clear.

Your dream body won’t come in a day. As with most long-term goals and targets, you’ll have off days where you feel discouraged and want to give up. Listing out the reasons why you’re in this and constantly reminding yourself of them is a good way to keep yourself motivated and on track. Also, treat this like you treat other life goals by breaking it into milestones and smaller targets, and don’t be shy to reward yourself along the way as you hit them.

Don’t forget the proteins.

While we advise lots of fruits and vegetables, they shouldn’t take the place of lean proteins in your diet. We recommend increasing your protein intake so you don’t lose too much lean muscle mass and affect your body’s metabolism in your attempt to lose weight.

You’re not in this alone.

You need a doctor and a dietitian to supervise your weight loss journey. You can Google the answers to the questions that arise along the way, but Google cannot take the place of your doctor. 

Aside from professional support, family and friends are a good source of motivation. Keep them updated and celebrate your progress with them.

Bottom Line

Semaglutide works best when combined with the right dietary and health modifications. The right diet will not only help you accomplish your goals quicker, but it will also reduce the risks of those pesky side effects that come with the use of semaglutide.

Lean proteins, fiber-rich foods, and healthy fats are important in your weight-loss plan. By using these as your main source of fuel and nutrition, your weight loss goals will be much easier to achieve — and you’ll feel stronger, healthier, and more youthful as well.