Nutrition's Role in GLP-1 Treatment
- Paola Greiser
- Jul 10
- 3 min read
As an expert-in-the-loop at nymble, I’ve noticed many conversations about people using GLP-1 medications, and I often see the same questions popping up over and over again:
“What should I eat?”
“Why am I losing muscle?”
“I feel so full all the time — is that bad?”
These are more than medical side effects. They are signs that people need more than a prescription — they need a plan.
Now, four of the most prominent voices in medicine have come together to say just that. A new joint advisory, published by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society, has outlined clear, evidence-based priorities for supporting GLP-1 therapy with nutrition and lifestyle care. You can read the full advisory here and I’ve summarized my thoughts below!
GLP-1s help you lose weight — but what happens next?
GLP-1s like semaglutide and trizepatide reduce appetite and lead to significant weight loss — 5% to 18% in clinical trials. But they also come with some trade-offs that too often go unaddressed:
Nutritional deficiencies, especially in vitamins A, D, B12, calcium, iron, and magnesium.
Muscle and bone loss, particularly in those high-risk individuals who are not doing strength training or eating enough protein
Gastrointestinal side effects, like nausea, vomiting or constipation
High rates of discontinuation, with up to 85% of people stopping GLP-1s by year two
Rapid weight regain once medication stops — sometimes two-thirds of what was lost (which we know is expected, but still challenging!)
These aren’t rare outliers. They’re common, predictable challenges — and they call for a structured, proactive approach to care.
So, what does good nutritional support for GLP-1 treatment look like?
The advisory provides a clear roadmap:
Begin with a comprehensive baseline assessment that includes eating habits, physical function, emotional triggers, and social determinants of health.
Make nutrient density a priority, especially for those with smaller appetites. Think fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats.
Minimize refined carbs, red and processed meats, sugary drinks, and ultra-processed foods.
Maintain muscle and bone mass with strength training and adequate protein — 1.2 to 1.6 g/kg/day is recommended during weight loss.
Watch for managing GI side effects (like nausea or constipation) proactively.
Support emotional well-being and recognize how GLP-1s may alter people’s relationships with food.
Use digital platforms to deliver this care at scale, especially where in-person access is limited.
We see this every day at nymble
What the advisory describes isn’t theoretical for us. It’s the lived experience of the people nymble supports everyday.
We hear from users who are feeling more in control of their hunger — and from others who are panicked by sudden food aversions or unexplained fatigue. nymble has helped people adjust their eating patterns, troubleshoot side effects, and reframe their goals beyond the number on the scale.
Digital support doesn’t replace medical care, but it can bridge the gaps where traditional care often falls short. A message at the right moment, a reminder to eat, a safe space saying “yes, that’s normal” — these small things create continuity, motivation, and trust.
Care is evolving — and it’s finally more human
The advisory is a powerful signal that the medical community is beginning to treat GLP-1 care as more than just medication management. It’s supporting the whole person—nutritionally, emotionally, and socially.
At nymble, that’s exactly what we’re building: accessible, evidence-based support that meets people where they are. Because behind every dose is a person trying to rewrite their relationship with food, with movement, and with themselves.
We’re here for that part of the journey, too.
Learn more!
For organizations interested in learning more about nymble, reach out to us at info@nymble.health.
For individuals, check out this page and email us at enroll@nymble.health.
