Last week on Mom Life in Luxembourg we spilled the tea on everything you need to know about going on a GLP-1 (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy). It was a personal account of two moms here in Luxembourg (me being one of them) having an honest discussion of what being on the medicine has been like and how it has changed our lives.
We tried to cover the good, the bad and the ugly, but I felt a little bit like we presented a very “magic wand (or jab)” scenario, and I think that’s a little unfair to our listeners. There are so many things that happen to your body when you use one of these medications that go past what the eye can see, and I wanted to really cover that part of the story as well.
This week I invited Luxembourg-based dietician-nutritionist Diana Reid to come back on the show and talk about the less obvious, less glamorous side of taking a GLP-1. Our conversation isn’t pro or anti this medication, because that’s a decision only you can make. I did, however, try to ask all the questions someone who is curious or considering taking a GLP-1 would want to know.
Diana said that often her clients will come to her and say, “I just want to lose 3-5 kg, so I’ll go on these meds, lose the weight and then I’ll go off the meds and keep up my habits.” She says that is probably the worst reason to go on these drugs for a number of factors, all of which can lead to your body and your overall health being worse off than it was before.
It’s not just about the number on the scale or how your jeans fit. Thin obviously doesn’t equal healthy. One of the most powerful moments in the conversation was Diana’s metaphor about trying to push a giant beach ball under water at the pool. You can force it down for a while, but soon enough, it pops back up. Our bodies, she explained, have set points – places where they feel safe and stable. The healthiest weight for your body isn’t always the one you might want aesthetically, especially as we age. It’s the one you can maintain without constant struggle, restriction, or obsession.
We discussed why rapid weight loss can backfire, why weight cycling or yo-yo dieting may increase a bone fracture risk later in life, and why “low and slow” might be a smarter long-term strategy than racing up to the highest dose. Diana explained the importance of protein – yes, more protein, sorry! She also made it clear that protein alone isn’t enough. Without strength training, the body has no reason to preserve or build muscle. And without enough overall nutrition, deficiencies can show up within months.
Hair thinning. Loss of menstrual cycle. Bone density changes. These aren’t abstract risks – they’re physiological signals that the body feels under threat. And of course there are the more common, immediate negative effects people often report like constipation, nausea, and fatigue.
For the record though, I experienced none of those. My only noticeable side effect was thirst. We also talked about the very real benefits many people experience. Reduced “food noise”. Better insulin sensitivity. Less inflammation. For some, even a shift in dopamine-driven behaviors like drinking. These medications don’t just affect appetite; they influence the brain’s reward system, which may explain why some people feel a quieting state that they’ve never experienced before. Which could be a good or a bad thing.
What I appreciated most about this episode is that it doesn’t land in extremes. It’s not anti-medication, it’s also not an endorsement. It’s thoughtful and evidence-informed. It’s rooted in the idea that if you are going to take one of these medications, you deserve proper support – nutritional guidance, strength training, lab monitoring, and realistic expectations.
We are, as I said during the episode, in the “Wild West” of GLP-1 use. The research is evolving. The guidelines are still forming. And often doctors are prescribing without a clear long-term maintenance plan.
If you’re currently on a GLP-1, considering one, navigating perimenopause, or simply trying to feel strong and healthy in midlife, this episode is for you. There’s even access to a free download guide for Nutrition & Lifestyle Guidance for Taking GLP-1 Medications. Please give it a listen and let me know what you think. You can reach me on social media @momlifeinluxembourg or you can email me at momlife@rtltoday.lu. If you want to learn more about Diana Reid, please visit https://www.theglobaldietitian.com/.
