With all the Christmas cookies, homemade treats and festive cocktails around this time of year, the holidays can be a time of indulgence, and that can be tricky for those following weight-loss medication routines. So, how are people on meds like Ozempic and Wegovy handling the holidays? Some of them are planning to take a break, according to new research.
A survey of 1,000 adults who take weight-loss and diabetes drugs reveals:
- One in six Americans on meds like Ozempic and Wegovy are skipping their injections during the holiday season.
- More than three-quarters (79%) admit they’re ditching the jabs so they can enjoy more holiday foods.
- Half say they’re stopping temporarily to avoid the side effects from eating rich foods on the meds, including fullness, nausea and gastric discomfort.
- Another 28% just want to take a break from daily routines, while 21% are doing it due to high medication costs and 19% say it’s because of concerns about interactions with alcohol.
- The thing is, while pausing the meds can allow for more room to indulge, it can lead to some unwanted complications, like weight gain, mood changes, and digestive issues.
- But those who are doing it are prepared, and expect to gain an average of four pounds over the holidays as a result of skipping their medication. Another 24% expect to gain more than five pounds.
- The top holiday foods influencing the decision to take a break from the injections are Christmas cookies and sweets (54%), roasted turkey (48%), charcuterie boards (43%), mac and cheese (40%), and mashed potatoes with gravy (37%).
Source: NY Post