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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Saxenda (liraglutide) for chronic weight management. This FDA-approved weight loss medication can help you lose weight when used in combination with a healthy and balanced diet and regular physical activity. Please continue reading to find out what foods to avoid while on Saxenda to get the best weight loss results.

Can you eat normally on Saxenda?

You can eat normally on Saxenda for the most part. There are no specific dietary restrictions or specific foods that are prohibited while on this medication. However, as mentioned, Saxenda works best in conjunction with healthy eating. 

In other words, patients lose weight on Saxenda if they eat a calorie-controlled diet. You should, therefore, eat fewer high-calorie foods and sugary foods while taking Saxenda to get the best weight loss results. Maintaining a healthy diet is also beneficial for your overall health in the long run. 

What types of food should you watch out for while being on Saxenda?

You should avoid or limit the following foods with Saxenda: Foods high in saturated fats, fatty foods, fried foods, fast food, ultra-processed foods like cakes, cookies, and deli meats, and sugary foods and drinks. Essentially, foods to avoid with Saxenda are foods that are considered unhealthy in general. Therefore, it is not necessary to follow a specific change of diet, but to maintain or optimize a healthy diet.

What should you eat while taking Saxenda?

Eat foods such as low-fat foods, healthy fats, lean proteins, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables. This balanced diet will help you lose excess weight and support metabolic health.

Can you drink caffeine on Saxenda?

You can drink caffeine on Saxenda. However, if you are experiencing heartburn as a side effect of this weight loss medication, it might help to avoid or reduce the intake of common food triggers of acid reflux, such as caffeine, alcohol, acidic foods, and spicy foods. Excess weight is one of the risk factors for acid reflux. Losing weight may help reduce the symptoms of heartburn. 

Avoid eating right before bedtime if you experience acid reflux. Talk to your doctor about other non-drug habits you can incorporate into your daily routine to help with acid reflux symptoms. 

How much alcohol can you drink while taking Saxenda?

You should avoid or limit alcohol consumption as much as possible while on Saxenda. When you drink alcohol, it can add extra calories to your diet and lower your resolve to eat a calorie-controlled diet and follow an exercise routine. In addition, alcohol can make some of the side effects of Saxenda worse, for example, low blood sugar, headache, and dizziness. 

How much weight can you lose on Saxenda?

Clinical trials in adults have shown the following weight loss results after taking Saxenda for 56 weeks:

• 62.3 % of people who took Saxenda lost 5% or more of their body weight on average, approximately 12 pounds (lbs).

• 33.9% of people who took Saxenda lost 10% or more of their body weight on average (approximately 23 lbs).

• About 6% of people who took Saxenda lost 20% or more of their body weight on average (approximately 47 lbs).

Remember, each person’s body responds differently to Saxenda. How much Saxenda can help you lose weight will depend on several factors, including how successfully you follow a reduced-calorie diet and physical activity program.

Weight loss medications like Saxenda are not magic pills. They do not cause immediate weight loss and work best alongside healthy lifestyle changes. You should also know that stopping Saxenda may lead to weight regain. If you have not lost at least 4% of your baseline body weight after 16 weeks of taking Saxenda, talk to your healthcare provider about other options. 

Inform your doctor of all the prescription drugs you are taking to avoid harmful adverse effects while taking Saxenda.

How to speed up weight loss on Saxenda?

Here are some tips to optimize weight loss on Saxenda:

• Take your medication regularly: Saxenda is a daily subcutaneous injection that can be taken at any time of the day without regard to meals. Choose a time of day that is easy for you to remember so that you don’t miss doses. 

• Follow a low-calorie Saxenda diet plan: Saxenda works best alongside a reduced-calorie diet. Talk to your healthcare provider about the number of calories you should be eating every day as part of a calorie-controlled diet. Eat a balanced diet so that you get all the nutrients your body needs. Keep a journal of food intake and calorie intake to achieve your weight loss goals. 

• Eat slowly: It takes 15-20 minutes from the time you start eating for your brain to send signals of fullness. Eating slowly ensures that you know when you are full and stop eating as soon as you feel full. This translates into eating fewer calories at every meal.

• Eat smaller meals: Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help in managing hunger and prevent overeating.

• Stay well hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help you feel fuller, reduce hunger, and help you control the number of calories you consume from other beverages.

• Participate in a regular exercise routine: Saxenda works best to support your weight loss journey when you practice healthy habits like regular exercise. In addition to healthy eating habits, try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise at least 5 days a week. It is also beneficial to do strength training exercises that can help optimize your metabolism. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any exercise program. 

• Shop smart: Make a list of foods to avoid while on Saxenda and take it with you when you go grocery shopping. This will help you avoid stocking unhealthy foods in your pantry and sticking to your Saxenda diet plan.

Who can take Saxenda for weight loss?

Saxenda is approved for chronic weight management in adults and children 12 years of age and older. Adults can take Saxenda to help them along in their weight loss journey if they have:

• A body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher.

• A body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m² or higher and one or more weight-related medical problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high blood sugar.

Saxenda is approved to be used in children 12 and older who meet the following criteria:

• Having a body weight above 60 kg (132 lbs)

• Having the initial BMI corresponding to a BMI of 30 kg/m² or higher for adults by international cut-offs.

How does Saxenda help you lose weight?

Saxenda (liraglutide) and other weight loss medications in the same drug class are almost identical to a natural hormone in the human body called glucagon-like peptide-1 or GLP-1. They are called GLP-1 receptor agonist medications. GLP-1 is present in many parts of the brain and is involved in appetite regulation and calorie intake. Saxenda (liraglutide) helps with weight loss through appetite suppression and decreased calorie intake. This medication works best when supplemented by a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet and regular exercise. Compare Saxenda vs Ozempic.

Note: Liraglutide (the active ingredient in Saxenda) is also used to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. If you have diabetes, your doctor may give you a prescription medication called Victoza, which also contains liraglutide and is used to improve blood sugar levels.

What are the risks of taking Saxenda?

The most common side effects of Saxenda include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, upset stomach, heartburn, headache, fatigue, dizziness, low blood sugar, and injection site reactions.

Taking Saxenda can also cause more serious adverse events. This weight loss drug is linked to an increased risk of health conditions such as thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, low blood sugar, increased heart rate, kidney disease, kidney failure, allergic reactions, worsening depression, and suicidal thoughts and behavior.

Before starting Saxenda treatment, tell your healthcare provider if you have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer or medical conditions such as active gallbladder disease or kidney problems. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop severe abdominal pain, stomach cramps, or other serious symptoms while taking Saxenda.