GLP-1 Medications and Dietitian Support: Care That Centres You
Updated: Oct 28
You've probably been hearing more about GLP-1 medications. Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy come up in GP appointments, online forums, podcasts and even in the coffee queue. If you're feeling curious, conflicted, pressured or unsure, that makes complete sense.How can a dietitian help with weight loss
At Dietetics Done Differently, we believe decisions about your body deserve space, nuance and care. Your bodily autonomy matters. You have the right to explore your options and make choices that fit your health, values and lived experience. Our role isn't to tell you what to do. It's to help you access accurate, evidence-informed information and compassionate support along the way.
We don’t centre weight loss as a treatment goal. Instead, we support you to nourish your body in ways that feel sustainable and workable for you, and to make sense of changes in appetite, fullness and food noise while on medication. We can also explore what food means for you, including emotional connections with eating, without judgement. Weight alone doesn’t determine health, and wellbeing is shaped by many things, including nutritional adequacy, muscle mass, sleep, stress, food security, your relationship with food, mental wellbeing, social connection, sensory needs, access to care and movement that feels good. GLP-1 medications can affect many of these, which is why dietitian support can be valuable.
What are GLP-1 medications?
GLP-1 medications change appetite signalling and slow gastric emptying, which can leave you feeling full sooner and for longer. People are prescribed them for different reasons: Ozempic and Mounjaro are used in managing type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy and Mounjaro are also prescribed for weight management. Your reasons, your medical context and your prescriber's advice all matter here
Weight loss dietician
How can a dietitian support you on GLP-1 medications?
Reduced appetite doesn't mean reduced nutritional needs. Some people on GLP-1 medications experience:
• Lower energy intake than their body needs
• Insufficient protein and loss of muscle mass
• Micronutrient gaps
• Fatigue or dizziness
• Nausea, reflux, bloating or early fullness
• A return of restrictive eating patterns
In clinical trials, gut symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation were the most reported effects. Most were mild to moderate and clustered around dose increases1-5, and rates differ between medications and populations, including people with type 2 diabetes4,6. Nutrition support also points to risks of low protein intake, lean mass loss and micronutrient gaps when intake falls7-10. These experiences vary a lot from person to person, and many people have none of them. A dietitian can help you notice and respond early.
If you have a history of dieting, disordered eating or an eating disorder, appetite suppression can blur the line between medical treatment and old restrictive patterns. Working with a dietitian who holds Eating Disorder Credentialed status can help you stay nourished and protected, in body and mind. Expert consensus recommends that clinicians ask about current and past eating disorders before these medications are started, and that they generally be avoided in active eating disorders11. Many people with eating disorders are already using them12, so trauma-informed, compassionate, coordinated support matters.
If you're neurotype, impacts your experience of eating that is important to consider too. Interoception (sensing hunger, fullness and thirst) varies for many autistic and ADHD people, and some ADHD medications also suppress appetite. Sensory preferences, safe foods and routines matter when planning meals, especially when appetite or texture tolerance changes. We work with your brain and body, not against them.
How dietitians at DDD walk alongside you
Whether you're considering GLP-1 medications, already taking them, or thinking about stopping, here's how we can help. Dietitians Australia supports multidisciplinary care that sits alongside prescribing.13
1. Space for honest exploration
We help you explore your motivations gently and without judgement. Is the pull coming from health concerns, medical advice, cultural pressure, fear, hope or something else? Often, it's a mix. We also acknowledge that body image pressure and experiences of healthcare differ across communities, including for LGBTIQA+ people, people of colour, people in larger bodies, and people with disability or chronic illness. You're welcome here as you are, whatever your gender, body or background.
2. Protecting nutritional adequacy
Even when hunger cues change, your body still needs consistent energy, protein and micronutrients. We can help you:
• Structure meals when appetite is low
• Prioritise protein to support lean body mass
• Avoid under-fuelling
• Recognise early signs of under-nourishment and liaise with your GP or prescriber
3. Supporting digestive comfort
Nausea, reflux, bloating and early fullness are common, particularly around dose increases, and they often ease over time. Food choices, meal timing, hydration and texture adjustments can reduce discomfort without compromising your intake, and we'll build these around your sensory preferences. If symptoms are severe or don't settle, we'll encourage you to speak with your prescriber, because dose changes are their decision to make. 2,3,7
4. Safeguarding your relationship with food
We take a body autonomy-over-restriction approach, which means:
• Supporting you flexibility and permission to eat all foods
• Neutral language around food
• Supporting your based on your neurotype and context
• Less moral judgement
• Food variety (if that's important for you)
5. Planning for what comes next
If you stop or change your medication, appetite and weight can change again. We'll work alongside you with your GP to help plan ahead so you feel prepared rather than blindsided. If you feel pressured to start or stop a medication, we can also help you prepare for conversations with your prescriber.
Ready to talk it through?
At DDD, we approach GLP-1 medications with clinical reasoning and compassion. If you'd like to explore your options in a grounded, non-judgmental space, our dietitians are here to listen.If you’re interested in exploring how our team can support you, book a free discovery call.
Dietetics Done Differently are Dietitians in Melbourne providing weight-inclusive, neuro-affirming, gender-affirming and LGBTIQA+ affirming care.
GLP-1 Questions Answered
Can I buy a GLP-1 from a chemist?
No. GLP-1 medications are prescription-only in Australia. They must be prescribed by a GP or specialist and dispensed by a pharmacist.
What GLP-1 is available in Australia?
In Australia, GLP-1 receptor agonists available include Ozempic (semaglutide), Wegovy (semaglutide approved specifically for weight management), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), and Trulicity (dulaglutide). Availability and PBS criteria can change, so it’s best to speak with your GP.
How much weight can you lose on Mounjaro in 3 months?
Clinical trials of Mounjaro showed average weight loss of around 5–10% of body weight over 12–16 months, depending on dose and individual response. Results vary significantly and we encourage clients to speak directly to their GP about weight loss expectations.
What does Ozempic do for weight loss?
Ozempic works by copying the action of a natural hormone in your body called GLP-1, which is released from your gut after you eat. In simple terms, it helps your brain and stomach “talk” to each other differently. It slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach, which means you feel full for longer after meals. It also reduces hunger signals in the brain, so you may think about food less often or feel satisfied with smaller portions. On top of that, it helps your body manage blood sugar levels more steadily by improving how insulin works after you eat.
Because you feel fuller and less hungry, many people naturally eat less without trying to restrict. However, the same slowing effect on the stomach is also why side effects like nausea, reflux, bloating, constipation, or feeling overly full can happen– especially in the first few weeks or after a dose increase.
What is the biggest side effect of Ozempic?
The most common and significant side effect of Ozempic is nausea. Other common effects include vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, reflux, and reduced appetite, but it’s important to note that everybody has different reactions.
How do you settle your stomach with Ozempic?
Helpful strategies include eating smaller and slower meals, avoiding high-fat or very large portions, staying hydrated, choosing cooked and easy-to-digest foods, and stopping when comfortably full. If symptoms are severe, speak to your prescribing doctor.
Why do I feel so bad on Ozempic?
Feeling unwell on Ozempic is usually related to delayed stomach emptying and appetite suppression. Eating too quickly, too much, or high-fat meals can worsen symptoms. If symptoms are persistent or severe, medical review is important.
How long will Ozempic make me feel sick?
Nausea is most common in the first 2–8 weeks, particularly after dose increases. For many people, symptoms ease as the body adjusts. If nausea continues beyond this period, your GP may adjust your dose.
What foods ease Ozempic's side effects?
Plain foods that are often better tolerated include toast or crackers, plain rice or pasta, small amounts of lean protein, yoghurt, soups, and soft fruits. Fatty, fried, spicy, and very rich foods tend to worsen nausea.
Do you regain weight after stopping Ozempic?
Research suggests that many people regain some weight after stopping Ozempic, particularly if appetite returns to previous levels. Long-term support focusing on sustainable habits can help stabilise weight and support overall wellbeing.
What are the dangers of taking Ozempic?
Potential risks include persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, gallbladder issues, pancreatitis (rare), muscle loss if protein intake is inadequate, and nutritional deficiencies if intake becomes too low. Ongoing ad frequent medical supervision is important while taking GLP-1 medications.
How long can you stay on Ozempic?
There is currently no fixed maximum duration. Many people remain on Ozempic long-term under medical supervision. Stopping may reverse effects, which is why working with a Dietitian to form new behavioural patterns is so crucial.
References References
1. Wilding JPH, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med. 2021. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
2. Pooled analysis of STEP 1 to 3: gastrointestinal tolerability of once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg and its relationship with weight loss. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2021/2022. PMC9293236
3. Jastreboff AM, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-1). N Engl J Med. 2022;387(3):205-216. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2206038
4. Rubino D, et al. Gastrointestinal tolerability and weight reduction associated with tirzepatide in the SURMOUNT-1 to -4 trials. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025. doi:10.1111/dom.16176
5. Aronne LJ, et al. Tirzepatide as compared with semaglutide for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-5). N Engl J Med. 2025. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2416394
6. Davies M, et al. Semaglutide 2.4 mg once a week in adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes (STEP 2). Lancet. 2021;397(10278):971-984. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00213-0
7. Mozaffarian D, et al. Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: a joint advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association and The Obesity Society. Obesity. 2025;33(8):1475-1503.
8. Bridging the nutrition guidance gap for GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy assisted weight loss: lessons from bariatric surgery. Int J Obes. 2025. doi:10.1038/s41366-025-01952-w
9. Do patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss require structured dietetic care? Lessons from metabolic and bariatric surgery pathways. 2026. PubMed 42654223
10. Lean mass and musculoskeletal preservation in GLP-1-based obesity treatment: nutrition, exercise, supplementation, and monitoring strategies. Metabolites. 2026;16(6):364.
11. Consensus-based clinical and research recommendations for use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in the context of eating disorders: a modified Delphi study. World Psychiatry. 2026;25(3):465-474.
12. Levinson C, et al. Use and misuse of GLP-1 receptor agonists among people with eating disorders. JAMA Psychiatry. 2026.
13. Dietitians Australia and Exercise & Sports Science Australia. Joint statement on multidisciplinary models of care for GLP-1 medications. dietitiansaustralia.org.au
14. Therapeutic Goods Administration (tga.gov.au) product information and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (pbs.gov.au) listings for Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.
