The Impact of Medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy on Thanksgiving Celebrations

2023 has indeed been the time of Ozempic, and it could potentially affect customary holiday celebrations, particularly Thanksgiving, for certain individuals.

As a result of their capacity to promote weight loss, injectable medications created to address obesity and type 2 diabetes have witnessed a rise in popularity this year. Such medications, which include Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and the recently FDA-approved Zepbound, facilitate this weight loss by significantly decreasing an individual's food consumption—an aspect that could create challenges during a food-focused occasion like Thanksgiving.

According to Sun Kim, MD, an associate professor of medicine in the division of endocrinology at the Stanford University School of Medicine, even those who have benefited from these drugs might find the festive season somewhat challenging.

Nevertheless, specialists suggest numerous methods for individuals taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or equivalent medications, to safely delight in a holiday like Thanksgiving, where indulgence seems to be a traditional part of celebration. The key is to understand how to deal with possible physical, emotional, and social challenges during the festive season while on these medications.

Though Ozempic and similar drugs are effective for regulating blood sugar and assisting with weight loss, they might create certain physical difficulties for individuals wanting to enjoy their holiday feasts.

The active ingredients in both Ozempic and Wegovy, Semaglutide, imitates a hormone named GLP-1 which is responsible for helping the body control blood sugar levels and creating a feeling of fullness, according to Kim. In Zepbound and Mounjaro, Tirzepatide is used, which has similar effects.

Kim explained individuals on these drugs are likely to experience a decrease in appetite signals from their brains, and slower-moving stomachs and bowels.

This typically means that during a Thanksgiving meal, individuals on these drugs might not wish to, or be able to, consume as much food or find food appetizing.

These medications aside from decreasing appetite, could also cause several typically minor yet uncomfortable gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation or vomiting.

There is also a higher chance of these side effects occurring throughout the holiday season.

Daniela Hurtado Andrade, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of medicine, endocrinologist and obesity medicine expert at Mayo Clinic, pointed out that these side effects can be instigated by the overconsumption of food.

She advised that it's crucial for individuals on these medications to avoid eating too quickly and not paying attention to their hunger cues. This is to prevent them from feeling overly full and unwell.

Kim mentioned that even if individuals do not overeat, the kinds of food typically consumed at large holiday events may enhance these side effects. Foods that are greasy, spicy, or fried tend to cause more gastrointestinal problems.

Taking medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, or similar during the festive season might have effects beyond physical—alterations in eating habits or celebrations could cause negative emotions for some.

Betul Hatipoglu, MD, a professor of medicine and director of the Center for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism at Case Western Reserve University, talked about how these medications could cause individuals to lose their appetites or alter their food preferences.

Kim also highlighted that some individuals might experience a kind of "mourning period" if they lose their desire to have their favorite holiday meals.

According to Hatipoglu, there might be feelings of depression for those who have always associated the joy of Thanksgiving with food and sharing food with loved ones.

Kim also mentioned the possibility of food serving as a "love language". In some families, there could be upset feelings or misunderstandings if an individual does not consume much food during Thanksgiving or other festive meals.

Kim urged individuals on these medications to manage others' expectations from the onset, stating, 'I really value this meal, truly cherish our time together, I want to highlight—for medical considerations—I may not eat as much.'

Though the risk of challenging emotions exists, experts emphasized that being on these medications during the holiday season could also bring about more positive feelings or experiences.

Kim pointed out that for those utilizing the drugs for weight loss, eating holiday meals might trigger less guilt or stress. This is in comparison to those losing weight purely via diet and exercise.

He stated, "It's less of that mental struggle about, 'I should not consume food, but I'm going to, and now I feel so guilty.' That is less of an issue for these drugs. This helps in essentially eliminating this guilt."

In her own practice, patients have told Hurtado Andrade they were “looking forward to the fact that they were still going to be able to enjoy their meal, but in moderation. They will know when to stop and they will be satisfied,” she said.

If someone is concerned about having too little appetite to fully enjoy Thanksgiving, their first thought may be to skip a dose of their medication. 

This may be dangerous for people taking drugs to manage type 2 diabetes. But experts are split on the practice for those taking medications solely for weight loss. 

Hurtado Andrade doesn’t recommend skipping a dose, while Hatipoglu said there should be no issues if someone wanted to forgo a week.

A middle ground might be pushing the dose back a couple days, according to Deborah Horn, DO, MPH, associate professor and medical director of the Center of Obesity Medicine and Metabolic Performance at UTHealth Houston.

Still, she “would encourage people not to skip their dose. We know that when we skip medications, it’s harder, then, to get ourselves back in the regular habit of taking [them].”

The best course of action, experts agreed, is for people on these medications to choose more nutritious, non-fried foods when possible, and eat smaller portions at holiday meals.

A good rule of thumb is to think about dividing the plate into quarters, Hatipoglu said. People can fill two quarters with more nutritious choices such as salad, green beans, and turkey or another kind of protein, she explained, and fill one additional quarter with carb options.

Another trick, Horn said, is to focus on the order in which the food is eaten—protein should come first, followed by vegetables, fruit, and finally, anything that has more sugar or fat, such as sweet potatoes, stuffing, or pasta, she said.

Also to avoid overeating, people can ask to take dessert or other leftovers home with them, Kim suggested. Proper hydration is also important, Hurtado Andrade added.

In short, the classic adage “everything in moderation” is the best policy when it comes to Thanksgiving, said Hurtado Andrade.

If someone does end up overeating, people can reach for over-the-counter antacids to help with bloating or reflux, Kim recommended. But experts agreed that walking after a meal is the best way to get the digestive system moving and potentially avoid some negative side effects.

Though people taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or other medications may need to adjust their habits or be slightly more aware of their food consumption, in general, they should have no trouble enjoying Thanksgiving, experts said.

In many ways, lessened appetite and food noise may even make the holiday more enjoyable for people, Hurtado Andrade added.

“These medications change how they perceive food. And that’s what we truly want,” she said. “That was the ultimate goal—making sure that people have a good relationship with food.”