GLP Medications Part 3: Pursuing Intuitive Eating While Taking GLP-1 Medications

Welcome back to our 3-part series on GLP-1 medications! If you're just joining us, be sure to check out Part 1, where we explored how these medications like Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Ozempic work by suppressing appetite. Then in Part 2, we highlighted some important red flags to watch out for if you're taking a GLP-1 drug and may be vulnerable to disordered eating.

Now, for Part 3, we know that many of you may still choose to take a GLP-1 medication, despite the concerns we raised. And that's totally understandable - it's a personal decision that you'll need to make with your healthcare team. Our goal here is not to scare you away, but to make sure you have all the information you need to make an informed choice.

We believe strongly in the importance of informed consent. That means you should understand the potential risks and benefits before starting any new medication. But at the end of the day, it's your body and your health - the final decision is up to you.

So in this final installment, we're going to explore how you can try to maintain an intuitive eating approach even while taking a GLP-1 drug. We'll also share some tips on how to support your overall nutrition and wellbeing during this process.

Sound good? Let's dive in!

What is Intuitive Eating?

Before we dive into how to navigate GLP-1 medications and intuitive eating, let's do a quick refresher on what intuitive eating is all about.

Intuitive eating was developed by registered dietitians Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch in the 1990s. It's an evidence-based, mind-body health approach that helps you build a healthy relationship with food and your body. The core principles include rejecting the diet mentality, honoring your hunger, making peace with food, and tuning into your body's internal cues of hunger, fullness, and satisfaction.

The idea is to move away from restrictive "rules" about eating, and instead learn to trust your body's innate wisdom about when, what, and how much to eat. Intuitive eaters tend to experience less preoccupation with food, more satisfaction and enjoyment from their meals, and greater body acceptance.

It's a very different approach compared to dieting or using weight loss medications. But for many people, it can be a powerful way to heal their relationship with food and develop a more positive body image.

The question is, can you pursue intuitive eating while also taking a GLP-1 drug? Let's explore that next.

Can You Pursue Intuitive Eating While Taking GLP-1?

Intuitive eating is much more than simply eating when you’re hungry and stopping when you’re full. It’s about reconnecting the body and mind and learning to trust your internal cues by working through the 10 principles of intuitive eating.

GLP-1 medications can make this process more challenging because they alter how hunger and fullness are experienced. When appetite signals are suppressed or delayed, the connection between the body and mind can become harder to interpret, which may increase disconnection from internal cues.

That said, there are still ways to support a more intuitive relationship with food while taking GLP-1 medications.

One helpful strategy is regularly checking in with your body throughout the day. Hunger doesn’t always present as a rumbling stomach. It can also show up as low energy, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, irritability, or even nausea.

It’s also possible to continue challenging food rules and the “food police” while taking GLP-1 medications. Working toward food flexibility and food neutrality can still be part of the process.

Importantly, the focus can remain on nourishing and caring for your body by supporting energy, wellbeing, and health, rather than centring everything on weight loss.

How to Support Your Nutrition and Eating Habits While Taking GLP-1 Medications

Nutrition knowledge is especially important when taking GLP-1 medications. With appetite often reduced and overall intake lower, it becomes essential to understand what your body needs to ensure you’re getting enough energy and nutrients.

For some, this may feel straightforward. For many, it can be helpful to work with a dietitian to support adequate intake and navigate changes in appetite.

Practical strategies can include planning meals, eating regularly throughout the day, and even setting reminders to eat when hunger cues are less reliable. These approaches help keep the focus on caring for your body, rather than simply pursuing weight loss as quickly as possible.

This might look like aiming for 3 meals and 2-3 snacks every day.

It’s also important to stay mindful of behaviours that may signal disconnection from your needs - such as cutting out entire food groups, avoiding social eating situations, or ignoring signs of hunger.

Look after you

Over this three-part series, we’ve covered a lot. From how GLP-1 medications work to how you can support your relationship with food if you choose to take them.

If you’re considering medications like Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Ozempic, it’s important to have access to accurate, balanced information. Take the time to review evidence-based resources, speak with a range of qualified health professionals, and be mindful of misinformation on social media. From there, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your health, values, and lifestyle.

We strongly recommend working with an eating disorder–informed dietitian alongside these medications. Having the right support can help ensure you’re meeting your nutritional needs and maintaining a positive relationship with food. Our team at The Wholebeing Co is here to support you - you can get in touch with us here.

If you’re noticing signs of disordered eating in yourself or someone close to you, support is available through the Butterfly Foundation National Helpline (1800 ED HOPE).

Whatever you decide, we encourage you to keep your focus on your overall health and wellbeing rather than weight or body size.