If you’ve been using GLP-1 weight loss injections, it’s possible you might be feeling a little sick.
“It’s normal to experience nausea on the day of the injection and for a day or two afterward,” explains Laura Perez, Lead Dietician at Simple Online Pharmacy. “It can often resemble feelings like motion sickness or car sickness.”
Nausea is one of the more common side effects of GLP-1 weight loss injections like Mounjaro or Wegovy. While many don’t experience any side effects, 1 in 10 experience mild discomfort. This tends to take the form of stomach issues, including diarrhoea and constipation.
It should eventually subside. But there are some things you can do to help reduce the discomfort.
What Helps With Nausea?
If you’re experiencing nausea while taking weight loss jabs, it should go away after a day or two.
You might feel more nauseous when you start the treatment, because it takes your body around four weeks to get used to the medication. If you stick to your dosing schedule, you should feel a bit better as you continue taking it.
But you don’t have to wait for it to go away to feel better. Here are five things you can do to help reduce the nausea you’re experiencing:
1. Time Your Doses Strategically
Taking your treatment at the right time is one of the best things you can do to manage nausea. This will help you avoid the worst symptoms when they could disrupt your day the most.
“Consider taking the medication in the evening, allowing you to be at home and comfortable, minimising the impact of your daily activities,” Laura advises.
“If you choose to inject in the morning and experience nausea afterward, it might hinder your ability to eat enough throughout the day, leading to increased fatigue and discomfort.”
If your evenings are hectic or you work night shifts, try taking your dose before a time when you can relax and have some downtime.
2. Eat Enough Food – at the Right Time
To help alleviate the nausea, “it’s important to focus on eating enough food,” says Laura.
While it might feel counterintuitive to eat while nauseous, Laura says “consuming small meals can help you settle your stomach and reduce discomfort.”
“Pay attention to your body and identify which foods you can tolerate when feeling nauseous,” she advises.
And pay attention to when you’re experiencing discomfort. Jot down when you feel it worst and try to eat around this, so you’re not having dinner when you’re at your most nauseous.
3. Eat Plain Foods
Eating small meals of plain, savoury food and limiting fat intake can help manage the symptoms of nausea.
“Foods that are gentle on your stomach such as crackers, toast or bananas may be easier to handle,” Laura says.
If you’re feeling nausea or sickness, you probably won’t be craving anything too rich and creamy. So listen to your body, stick to the plain stuff and avoid hot, creamy or sweet foods.
4. Add Ginger to Your Diet
“Incorporating ginger into your diet can be beneficial for nausea relief,” Laura says.
As well as being delicious, some studies have found ginger can be an effective way to alleviate nausea, providing a natural alternative to anti-nausea medications.
Experts believe that the gingerol in ginger root speeds up the rate at which food travels along the digestive process. This provides nausea relief and reduces bloating and gas.
There are a number of ways you can add it into your diet. For example, you could drink ginger tea, add pickled ginger to your meals or find new recipes with ginger in them.
5. Do Some Gentle Exercise
Engaging in some light exercise can help relieve muscle tension and put you in a relaxed state, helping to ease the symptoms of nausea. It can also help you manage other side effects, including insomnia, low mood, headaches and brain fog.
Pick a form of movement that helps you relax and isn’t too stressful. Walking is a great option, as the fresh air will help you feel better. You could also try yoga, which allows you to focus on your breathing and helps you relax.
Key Takeaways
- Time Your Doses: Taking weight loss injections in the evening can help reduce the impact of nausea on daily activities, especially if you experience symptoms after you take the injection.
- Eat Small, Frequent Meals: Eating light meals throughout the day can help settle your stomach. Pay attention to when symptoms peak and plan meals around those times to avoid eating during discomfort.
- Stick to Plain Foods: Eat simple, easy-to-digest foods like crackers, toast, or bananas. Avoid rich, creamy or sweet foods, as they may worsen symptoms.
- Add Ginger to Your Diet: Ginger, known for its anti-nausea properties, can be consumed as tea, pickled ginger, or added to meals to alleviate symptoms.
- Try Gentle Exercise: Light activities like walking or yoga can relieve tension and promote relaxation, helping to ease nausea symptoms while offering the benefits of fresh air and mindful movement.
- Get Help and Advice: We’re always here to help, so get in touch with our team if you’re having trouble managing side effects. Our Renu app also gives you tailored support throughout your weight loss journey.
Get tailored weight loss advice with our Renu app
References
Mohammadbe, R., Shahgeibi, S., Soufizadeh, N., Rezaiie, M. and Farhadifar, F. (2011). Comparing the Effects of Ginger and Metoclopramide on the Treatment of Pregnancy Nausea. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 14(16), pp.817–820. doi:https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2011.817.820.
Slattery, E. (2023). Ginger Benefits. [online] www.hopkinsmedicine.org. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/ginger-benefits.
