Appetite Suppression (Extreme) / Loss of Appetite / Inability to Eat / Feeling Overly Full Quickly
Users on Reddit report a wide spectrum of experiences with appetite suppression while on GLP-1 medications, ranging from a complete loss of appetite and inability to eat to a more manageable reduction in hunger and earlier satiety.
Experiences with Appetite Suppression:
Feeling Full Quickly: A common experience is feeling full much faster and with smaller amounts of food. "I can eat half of something now and then just feel full and stop, vs feeling a deep seated need to keep eating while there's still food in front of me. "[28] Another user noted, "My body actually tells me when it’s done eating! "[34] and "When my body has had enough to eat, a switch flips and my brain says ‘nah, I’m good’. Any meal out goes half uneaten and I’ve grown used to fixing smaller portions of everything I cook at home. "[26] This can sometimes be problematic: "Thing is she's also barely eating because of the appetite suppression, and eating mostly fiber, and she hasn't lost weight yet. "[6]
Changes in Cravings and Food Preferences: Users report a significant reduction in cravings, especially for unhealthy foods. "I usually crave sweets, but not while on this. "[8] and "Late night snack cravings are gone. "[20] One user said, "I’ve lost 45 lbs just not grazing, snacking, or craving high fat foods like burgers pizza and fried chicken. "[10] Another shared, "I always knew my hunger and relationship with food wasn't normal... I never got a 'full' signal... I've been on Wegovy now for a few months, and it's amazing. I stop eating after significantly less food than I used to -- and I'm not feeling deprived. I also get much less desire to eat due to boredom or stress/feeling upset. "[22]
Forgetting to Eat: The appetite suppression can be so strong that some users forget to eat. "I could go without food for an entire day and mentally not even realize it... It is very important to actually remember or schedule eating in my experience. "[24] Another user mentioned, "Have to make myself take water/ fluid, ... forget to drink! Less impact on eating. "[19]
Variable Effects: Not everyone experiences the same level of appetite suppression. "I am on ozempic for diabetes and I had zero appetite suppression. "[2] Some find the effect wanes over time or with dosage: "I’ve been on 7. 5mg for a while so the appetite suppression has worn off a bit but I still get full quicker than before. "[23] Another user on Mounjaro 7. 5mg stated, "I still have all the food noise. The only symptom I have is when I eat, after I eat, I feel really sick and nauseous. But the medicine has not been helping me with food noise or even eating smaller meals. "[29]
Learning New Hunger Cues: Some users report learning new hunger signals. "It took me about 6-8 months to recognize the new signs of hunger ( or what hunger is supposed to feel like). "[10] Another described, "Previously, I didn’t register as being full unless I had a physical sensation of being full. Now I understand that feeling full can mean alleviating the sensation of hunger and that’s it. It’s a neutral in between where I feel neither physically full or physically hungry. That state didn’t exist to me before. "[27]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
Focus on Nutrition: Due to reduced appetite, making sure to get adequate nutrition is key. "I’m maximizing the protein, fiber, and nutrients each meal because I don’t eat much. "[8] Another user emphasized, "Now, I weightlift, eat a lot of meat, fruits, veggies, and fats, and I drink a lot of water. Without these things, my body would not have recovered. "[30] Focusing on protein is frequently mentioned: "The first day or so after the shot is the most potent and you should really eat high protein meals. "[25] and "Trying to find ways to get enough protein into me. "[19]
Hydration: Drinking enough water is often recommended. "I try to drink 8 cups of water a day and take metamucil gummies" to help with side effects like constipation that can accompany appetite changes. [32] One user stated they "Have to make myself take water/ fluid, ... forget to drink! "[19]
Scheduling Meals: For those who lose their hunger cues entirely, scheduling meals can be important. "It is very important to actually remember or schedule eating in my experience. "[24]
Eating Small, High-Calorie Meals (if necessary but with caution): One user mentioned, "I have kind of adjusted to super small high calorie consumption. Like I'm pretty sure I was living on sweetarts for a whole month. (Don't do this). "[21] This highlights the need for balanced nutrition even with reduced intake.
Titrating Doses Slowly: To manage side effects including extreme appetite suppression, a slow approach to increasing dosage is suggested. "I think it’s super important to take the slow approach with these medications, as if you go too fast your body can have really adverse reactions! "[34]
Eating Healthy Foods: Some users found that eating healthy helped manage side effects. "I’ve wondered if a big part of why I’ve had almost no side effects is that when I started the medication, I was already eating very healthy... So when I started, I was aiming for 100g of protein and 25-30g of fiber per day. 120oz of water per day, and one electrolyte package at some point per day. "[33]
Avoiding Trigger Foods: Certain foods can exacerbate issues. "If I over ate I would get terrible heartburn or reflux. I’d feel more bloated than I otherwise would. "[24] Another user learned a lesson after "one unforgettable night after eating a Taco Bell quesadilla that ended with a lot of vomiting.
Experiences with Appetite Suppression:
- Significant Appetite Reduction/Loss of Appetite: Many users describe a dramatic decrease in their appetite.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
- Mindful Eating and Portion Control: Since the medication can make it easy to overeat and then feel sick, users recommend being mindful.