Hello, Effecty family! Dining out is one of life's great pleasures, but when you're on GLP-1, it might feel a bit daunting. Fear not! You can still enjoy your favorite restaurants while staying true to your health goals. Let’s explore some tips and tricks for navigating the menu, enjoying your meal, and maintaining your wellness journey.

Planning Ahead:

• Preview the Menu: Most restaurants have their menus online. Take a look ahead of time to plan your meal.
• Choose Wisely: Opt for restaurants that offer a variety of healthy options that align with your dietary needs.

Smart Menu Choices:

• Starters: Consider a salad or broth-based soup to begin with. They can help fill you up without too many calories.
• Main Course: Look for grilled, baked, or steamed options. Avoid dishes labeled as fried, creamy, or crispy.
• Sides: Swap out high-carb options like fries for steamed vegetables or a side salad.

Portion Control:

• Share Meals: Restaurant portions can be large. Consider sharing a main course or splitting a few small plates or appetizers.
• Box It Up: Don’t be shy about asking for a takeout box. Eating half now and saving half for later is a smart strategy.

Navigating Social Situations:

• Communicate Your Needs: Let your dining companions know about your health goals so they can support your choices.
• Focus on the Experience: Remember, the joy of dining out is about more than just food—it's about the company and the ambiance.

Mindful Eating:

• Eat Slowly: Take your time to savor your meal. Eating slowly can help you recognize when you’re full.
• Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your hunger and fullness cues. Stop eating when you feel comfortably satisfied.

Dealing with Cravings:

• Healthier Alternatives: Craving something sweet? Opt for fruit-based desserts or share a dessert with the table.
• Stay Hydrated: Sometimes, thirst is mistaken for hunger. Drink water throughout your meal.

Enjoying Alcohol Responsibly:

• Limit Alcohol Intake: If you choose to drink, opt for a single glass of wine or a light beer. Remember, alcohol can affect blood sugar levels.

Dining out on GLP-1s doesn't have to be a challenge. With a bit of planning and mindful eating, you can enjoy your restaurant experience without derailing your health goals. At Effecty, we’re all about finding that perfect balance in every aspect of life, including enjoying a night out!

Share Your Experience:

Have you mastered the art of dining out while on GLP-1s? Share your favorite tips or restaurant finds with the Effecty community. Let’s dine out wisely and healthily together!

1. Focus on fiber
Fiber refers to carbohydrates that are not digested by the gut. Soluble fiber and
insoluble fiber are two types of fiber that contribute to overall health and metabolism as well as weight management. Fiber passes through the digestive system undigested, and reaches the microbes and friendly bacteria in our gut. These good gut bacteria feed on the fiber and use it for energy. Fiber also contributes to weight loss by slowing the emptying of the stomach, which prolongs satiety and fullness and reduces appetite.

2. Blood sugar balance
After we eat, glucose, or sugar, is released from food into our blood stream. This blood glucose signals the release of the hormone insulin to uptake the glucose from the blood and bring it into our cells for energy. The more glucose that is released, the more insulin is pumped out. Excess blood glucose that is not used by the cells for energy gets stored as fat. Over time, we can become resistant to the effects of insulin, resulting in chronic high blood sugar leading to prediabetes, diabetes, a host of negative health conditions, and weight gain. High sugar and high carbohydrate meals and snacks cause a spike in blood glucose. To
diminish the glucose spike, we want to pair sugary and high carbohydrate foods with high protein and healthy fats. The fat and protein will help balance the sugar and ultimately the blood glucose spike. We also want to think about the order in which we eat our foods. If we start our meal with sugar or high carbohydrate foods, our blood sugar will spike. If we start the meal with fiber (vegetables) , protein, or fat, followed by the carbohydrate, the blood sugar spike will be more controlled. This means less of a glucose spike, less insulin, and less fat storage.

3. Prioritize whole foods, ditch processed foods
Whole foods, or real foods, are single-ingredient foods that are unprocessed. Whole
foods are typically packed with minerals, vitamins, and nutrients that promote health. When we get our calories from whole foods, the quality of protein, fat, and
carbohydrates are going to be much healthier and more nutritionally dense.
Processed foods typically contain additives, inflammatory oils, excess refined sugar, and artificial trans fats. These ingredients are linked to weight gain, diabetes, and obesity.

4. Hydration
Our cells are made up of about 60% water. We need to be properly hydrated for our cells to function at their best. While hydration is important for overall health and metabolism, it is also essential for weight management. Thirst cues are often mistaken for hunger cues, as the area of the brain, the hypothalamus, controls both hunger and thirst. We need 2-3 liters of water per day to stay adequately hydrated.

5. Exercise and movement
We all burn calories simply by being. When we add in an exercise routine and movement, we burn additional calories. An exercise routine is essential for heart health, bone and muscle health, mental health, disease prevention, and weight management. This should be a mix of strength training, resistance training, and cardio. These types of movement allow us to build muscle and increase lean muscle mass, reduce fat, and ultimately improve our metabolism. While it is possible to lose weight without exercise, including movement and exercise into your weekly routine will accelerate weight loss. Walking daily is a great place to start!

By:

Lauren Steiner, MS, RDN, LDN

Registered Dietitian

https://osoanutrition.com/

Mindfulness Tips for Effecty Customers on GLP-1 Medications

Mindful Eating Practices:

• Eat Slowly: Take time to chew your food thoroughly and savor each bite. This helps in better digestion and allows you to recognize your body's fullness cues.
• Recognize Emotional Triggers: Be aware of emotions that drive you to eat, like stress, boredom, or sadness. Acknowledge these feelings and find non-food ways to address them, such as taking a walk or practicing deep breathing.
• Tune into Hunger and Fullness Signals: Before eating, ask yourself if you're physically hungry. After meals, pay attention to how full you feel, and learn to stop eating when you’re comfortably full, not stuffed.
• Regular Practice: Incorporate short daily sessions of mindfulness meditation. Even 5-10 minutes can reduce stress and improve your relationship with food.
• Forgive Yourself: If you have an eating episode that you didn’t intend, be kind to yourself. Understand that one meal or snack doesn’t define your entire journey.
• Enjoy the Moment: Whether you're eating, exercising, or resting, fully engage in the present moment. This can increase your enjoyment and satisfaction in activities beyond eating.
• Mindful Movement: When exercising, focus on the movement and how it feels in your body rather than just the calorie burn.

Supportive Environment:

• Positive Affirmations: Surround yourself with positive affirmations or quotes that encourage a healthy mindset.

• Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to support groups, friends, family, or professionals when you need encouragement or guidance.