Slimming World groups across Galway welcome everyone looking to lose weight, including those taking weight-loss medication. The message is simple – medication and healthy lifestyle changes can work alongside each other.
Weight-loss medications can reduce appetite and help people feel fuller for longer. But when you’re eating less, every mouthful counts. Choosing nutrient-dense foods becomes especially important to ensure the body gets the protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals it needs.
Slimming World’s Food Optimising approach encourages members to build balanced meals around nutritious foods, including lean protein, fruit and vegetables, and calcium- and fibre-rich foods.
When people lose weight rapidly, their bodies don’t just burn fat; they also break down lean tissue (muscle ) for energy. Keeping muscle mass strong is important for an overall healthy diet and to help maintain metabolic rate (how quickly you burn calories ), which makes it easier to maintain weight loss for the long term. Slimming World encourages people to eat plenty of protein-rich foods. Their active lifestyle programme suggests building in regular muscle-strengthening activities, which all helps to minimise muscle loss while losing weight.
Fibre is another key part of a healthy diet. Fruit, vegetables, beans, lentils and wholegrains can support digestion and help prevent constipation, which can be a side effect of some weight-loss medications.
Staying hydrated and choosing calcium-rich foods are also important for overall health. But perhaps the biggest benefit of attending a Slimming World group alongside medication is the powerful mindset and behaviour change support to help people to build long-lasting, healthy eating and physical activity habits to manage their weight while they use the injections, and beyond.
To get more advice or to join your local group, visit www.slimmingworld.ie
