Expert Advice On How To Deal With Dehydration On GLP-1s

Dehydration is one of the most common side effects of GLP-1 medications, often caused by reduced appetite or as a result of other gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and vomiting. In this blog, we’ll share expert advice on why staying hydrated is important as well as practical strategies to stay properly hydrated while using GLP-1s.

Getting Started

When starting on GLP-1 medication, we recommend creating an injection schedule to help with daily meal planning, as GLP-1s help you feel more full quickly and reduce your appetite. [1] This means that planning your meals, snacks and drinks in advance can really make a difference in your nutrient intake, energy levels, digestion and hydration. 

With your appetite reduced, focusing on meals that are balanced in macronutrients (carbs, protein, and very small amounts of healthy fats) will ensure your body does not miss out on vital nutrition whilst losing weight at the same time. 

The importance of staying hydrated

Taking GLP-1 medication may cause nausea, diarrhea, and dehydration so it’s very important to hydrate yourself. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water, and add in a wedge of lemon and a teaspoon of bicarbonate. 

We recommend steering clear of sports or isotonic drinks as these usually contain a high amount of sugar. It’s best to sip your fluids and avoid drinking using a straw as you may feel too full of liquids. 

Stick to water and sugar-free drinks for healthier, calorie-free options and avoid alcohol. If you’re not so good with remembering to drink fluids, try setting alarms or alerts on your phone to help remind you.

Recommended food and drinks to support hydration

If you’ve been taking GLP-1 medication for 1-3 months, our Levity experts suggest the below food and drink options:

• Eat plenty of healthy foods that contain water such as soups, yogurts, smoothies, broths. 
• Optimize fluid intake with plenty of water and sugar-free liquids such as herbal teas, hot water with lemon and ginger, or water infused with mint and cucumber slices.
• In very hot weather or when you have the heating on during the winter, you are more at risk of dehydration so remember to drink lots of fluids.

‍Tips to help manage diarrhoea‍

Managing side effects like diarrhea is crucial for maintaining hydration. Here’s what we recommend:

• Avoid dairy, laxative-inducing juices or meals, coffee, very cold or very hot foods and sweeteners ending in “ol” (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol). 
• Reduce intake of fiber-rich foods, for example, grains, seeds, cereals, nuts, barley, whole grain bread, artichokes, asparagus, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, lentils, mushrooms, onions, sugar snap, snow peas, skinned fruits, apples, apricots, blackberries, cherries, mango, nectarines, pears, plums. 
• Focus on clear broths, rice, carrots, and very ripe fruit without skin.

‍Persistent side effects

‍Speak to the Levity clinical team if you’re experiencing persistent side effects or if they become worse. If you experience any symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, seek medical attention immediately. We’re here to support your weight loss journey every step of the way, if you have any questions visit our support center or get in touch.

‍About Mei Wan‍

‍Mei Wan, BSc (Hons), is a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist and Levity Consultant. Mei obtained her nutrition and dietetics honours degree from the University of Surrey, UK, in 2014. She works across a wide array of specialisms, such as sustainable weight management, type 2 diabetes remission, PCOS, (peri-)menopause, heart health, fatty liver, and habit change. Mei advocates enhancing lifespan through delicious, science-backed nutrition advice.

‍References

‍[1] Shah M, Vella A. Effects of GLP-1 on appetite and weight. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2014 Sep;15(3):181-7. doi: 10.1007/s11154-014-9289-5. PMID: 24811133; PMCID: PMC4119845. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24811133/ 

[2] Singh G, Krauthamer M, Bjalme-Evans M. Wegovy (semaglutide): a new weight loss drug for chronic weight management. J Investig Med. 2022 Jan;70(1):5-13. doi: 10.1136/jim-2021-001952. Epub 2021 Oct 27. PMID: 34706925; PMCID: PMC8717485. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34706925/ 

‍[3] Moiz A, Levett JY, Filion KB, Peri K, Reynier P, Eisenberg MJ. Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Once-Weekly Semaglutide for Weight Loss in Patients Without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Am J Cardiol. 2024 Jul 1;222:121-130. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2024.04.041. Epub 2024 Apr 26. PMID: 38679221. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38679221/