The new weight loss drug Wegovy and its sister drug for diabetes, Ozempic, have been in the news again. People who had been using these drugs complained of developing gastroparesis or stomach paralysis. Leading to food sitting in the stomach for days after they ate it and causing chronic vomiting. Doctors point to the mechanism of the two popular drugs as a possible cause of this horrible side effect. 

How does this happen?

Both Wegovy and Ozempic are in a class of drugs that mimic the GLP-1 hormone. This hormone slows the passage of food through the stomach. By targeting this pathway with medication, you can slow down stomach emptying. This leads to people feeling fuller for longer and eating less.

Unfortunately, in some people this can result in gastroparesis. This can cause food to stay in your stomach for hours to days and result in vomiting anytime you try to eat. Although symptoms improved after the medication was discontinued, they did not fully resolve. Severe cases of gastroparesis can result in needing surgery to bypass the stomach. 

Natural ways to slowing stomach emptying

Feeling fuller for longer luckily does not require medication to do. Although medication can have a more pronounced impact, certain foods can slow down stomach emptying as well, without the side effects. 

Foods containing protein, fiber, and fat can all slow down stomach emptying. Whereas highly processed foods lacking these can result in more rapid stomach emptying. So if you’re looking to feel fuller for longer on less food follow these tips.

Make sure you have a protein, fiber, and healthy fat choice at every meal

• Protein choices

• Lean meats (chicken, turkey, lean cuts of red meat)

• Fish (cod, tilapia, salmon, trout)

• Beans and legumes

• Nuts and seeds

• Fiber sources

• Vegetables

• Fruit 

• Beans and legumes

• Whole grains

• Healthy fat sources

• Fatty fish (salmon, trout)

• Nuts and seeds

• Olive or avocado oil

In addition to these food options, try to avoid drinking excessive fluids during your meal. These can help push food through your stomach quicker. Consuming excessive fluids also results in feeling full sooner, but only for a short time. By filling up on fluids before you consume adequate protein, fiber, and healthy fats will cause you to miss out on the longer lasting effects of these foods.

If you want help creating a personalized nutrition and meal plan, send me an email at dietitian2go@gmail.com or schedule your free, no obligation, initial appointment with me.  

Written by: Adam Skowyra MPPD, RDN, LD