Warning to anyone using weight-loss jabs at Christmas

A doctor has explained what you should be doing during the festive feasts

Health experts are warning people to avoid skipping doses of weight-loss jabs such as Wegovy or Saxenda over Christmas and New Year. Dr Babak Ashrafi, a GMC-registered doctor at weight-loss company ZAVA, has warned against delaying treatment to enjoy your Christmas Dinner

Dr Ashrafi said: “When used as a weight-loss treatment, the semaglutide in Wegovy can make you more full from less food. It slows down how fast food travels through your body, making you feel fuller for longer. As you're less hungry, it’s easier to stick to a diet without overeating, helping you lose weight.

"Christmas is a time we all look forward to, especially when it comes to food. It's understandable to want to take a break from your weight-loss plan to fully enjoy your Christmas meal. However, it's important to note that doing so is not recommended.

"Patients run the risk of slowing down their weight-loss treatments if they decide to take time off their prescriptions. Your doctor will have to lower your doses and gradually build you back up to avoid the potential side effects of injecting too much semaglutide too quickly.

"It’s also important to understand that it takes time for the effects of semaglutide to wear off. It depends on the individual, but it takes some patients up to a few weeks for their hunger levels to return, meaning they might miss out on a really enjoyable Christmas Dinner, and need to take steps back in their weight-loss journey."

To make sure patients on weight-loss treatments can fully enjoy the festivities, Dr Babak also explained that there are types of food you should eat and avoid during Christmas Dinner. He said: “On average, men require a calorie intake of around 2,500 kcal per day, while women require slightly less, around 2,000 kcal per day; however, this varies from person to person depending on, for example, their age, weight, height, and physical activity levels.

"During Christmas, patients on Wegovy and Saxenda should pay attention to the quantity and balance of food groups they’re consuming to continue fueling a nutritious, balanced diet, and to maximise weight-loss.”

Some foods you can eat when using Saxenda or Wegovy are:

• Plenty of fresh vegetables, like carrots, peas, broccoli and (of course) Brussels sprouts
• Complex carbohydrates like potatoes, swede, turnip or butternut squash

For protein, there are many options depending on whether you eat meat, are vegetarian or vegan:

• Turkey, chicken, fish or other lean meats
• Beans, lentils or tofu
• Dairy products like yoghurt and eggs or dairy alternatives

When it comes to foods to avoid over Christmas, it’s advisable to avoid fats and sugars:

• Christmas cakes, mince pies, chocolates or biscuits
• Fried food, such as large portions of takeout or restaurant food
• excessive alcohol like sherry, port and wine
• Ultra-processed foods high in certain fats, like sausages, bacon, meat stuffing or Yorkshire Puddings
• Fizzy drinks, high-sugar energy drinks or sweetened caffeinated drinks like pumpkin-spiced lattes

Dr Babak explains that you can still enjoy your Christmas dinner while being mindful of what you eat, adding: “At Christmas, you can still enjoy your favourite foods while maintaining a healthy diet. If you find that you don’t like a certain type of ‘healthy’ food, you don’t have to force yourself to eat it. Christmas is a time of the year that is meant to be joyous, social, and filled with happiness. It’s a time for people to come together and enjoy each other's company. Part of developing a healthy relationship with food is to eat what you like while maintaining a nutritious diet.

"Be aware that one of the common side effects of Saxenda is hypoglycemia, also called low blood sugar. Your doctor or pharmacist should explain how to treat low blood sugar. When creating a healthy Christmas meal plan, avoid cutting out carbohydrates completely. You still need carbohydrates to maintain a core amount of energy in your body. If you're increasing the amount of physical activity you do, such as participating in a “merry Christmas jig”, this can also lower your blood sugar. So you may need to eat slightly more carbohydrates on days that you plan to exercise or be active.”