After any weight loss journey, there is always the possibility of weight regain. GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic have the same problem as any diet plan. When you stop taking the injection, you can regain quite a bit of weight.
Adam Collins, Associate Professor of Nutrition at the Univ. of Surrey, said, “People come off GLP-1 drugs for many reasons – cost, side-effects or because they have reached a weight they are happy with. Growing numbers are looking for ways to ease off these injections or replace some of their effects with food. The central problem with almost all weight-loss methods is weight regain. Long-term studies of GLP-1 drugs show that once people stop taking them, they regain more than half of the weight they lost. This rebound may be even stronger than other dieting methods because of how GLP-1 drugs interact with appetite hormones. One surprisingly simple option worth considering – whether you are still using GLP-1 drugs, tapering them down or stopping altogether – is the humble egg.”
According to Prof. Collins, the protein in eggs can ease the withdrawal from GLP-1 drugs. He said eggs are almost — but not quite — a natural form of the drugs as they promote the body to release GLP-1 naturally. The protein in the eggs can help rebuild muscle lost during weight loss.
The problem with going off GLP-1 drugs or stopping any weight loss plan is that the body increases hunger. The metabolism rebalances, encouraging weight gain. Rebound from GLP-1s can be more severe than other forms of weight loss because of the way it changes hunger hormones.
Prof. Collins said eating eggs with fiber-rich whole-grain toast can boost GLP-1 release even more. Because of their high protein content, eggs make a person feel fuller longer and eat less at their next meal.
Many people fear starting or stopping GLP-1 drugs for weight loss because they worry the weight loss will be temporary. The medications can be expensive. No one wants to invest a lot of money only to see their investment fail. Knowing that eggs can aid in coming off them without weight gain may help people feel that the medications could be a good choice for them or feel more comfortable about stopping their regimen. Either way, it’s good to know that regaining the weight doesn’t have to be inevitable. There are ways to keep the pounds off.
