Mega Thread - Reta foods that work / foods that did not

These threads often turn into low-carb protein hype. Fiber is your friend. Some think this drug changes everything compared to the dual agonist, but the two are more alike than different. Protein drinks are fine, yet animal protein is not the most heart-healthy choice. A past thread on the dual agonist was more positive about carbs and starches. For muscle, I sometimes add certain peptides along with creatine and lifting.

Not a waste of time. The discussion here and on most forums leans more anecdotal than scientific when it comes to pushing protein. Evidence supports a Mediterranean, plant-forward way of eating for overall health. These medications make carbs more workable for weight loss too.

Even pro athletes manage on vegan, starch-heavy plans. I am not vegan myself, but the protein emphasis is overdone. The body stores fat, not protein. Protein aids fullness, yet starches can do the same with fewer calories per volume. Beans offer both benefits.

What I hoped to see was which edibles helped and which ones failed for your case. 🙂

Here is a summary table of foods drawn from earlier threads I found. My own leanings match one of the summaries from those discussions.

Beans are great. Ground beef mixed with beans works even better. So far, only a few weeks in, I have not run into any food that causes trouble. I eat a wide variety and nothing has been an issue yet.

These medications can also shift which foods you crave.

Slowed digestion means adding plenty of fiber and fermented foods helps. Beans, all kinds of vegetables, yogurt, and similar items work well, along with a fiber supplement stirred into drinks or soups. Protein still matters if muscle is a goal. Beyond that, no special diet seems required. I have been relying on canned soup and meal packets for most calories because cooking feels like too much effort, and everything has been fine.

I agree about fiber. We add oat bran to a protein shake for lunch and other items at breakfast. Tonight we are splitting a pork steak on the grill with sweet potato fries made in the air fryer. Dinners vary but usually include some protein, with beef only every other week. Hoping for useful ideas from this thread.

I try to choose nutritious options because calories are limited and I want a varied intake. I keep fat fairly low since richer foods can make me feel off, though I had pizza recently so moderation applies. Rice used to be a staple but lately does not sit well, so I eat less of it. Raw vegetables are harder to digest, so I prefer them cooked. Creamy shakes are not appealing, but one beef-based protein that tastes like juice works; I have one daily plus three small meals. Down over sixty pounds and now figuring out maintenance.

I have had good success and satiety with the same meal of lean chicken and a couple servings of barbecue beans. It also helps keep things moving.

I will admit to being heavy on protein because it helps satiety. My targets are two hundred grams of protein, forty percent carbs, and the rest fat. I track everything with an app. I prefer single-ingredient foods and shop mostly around the perimeter of the store. A common meal is lean ground beef or turkey with spices over air-fried sweet potato, topped with kimchi and a fried egg. Seasonings change with my mood and it is easy to prep. Raw vegetables like baby carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumber, radishes and celery with fat-free ranch are regular sides. Rice cakes have become a favorite; the apple-cinnamon ones feel like dessert and the white-cheddar ones make a good pre-workout snack.

My doctor pitched the dual agonist by saying you could still eat pizza and dine out without needing the gym. Like many here, though, my desire for pizza, chips and ice cream has dropped sharply while my interest in exercise has risen. Vanilla protein shakes now taste good to me, almost like ice cream. When GI issues appear at higher doses, toast with jam is my go-to, similar to the BRAT approach.

Alka-Seltzer counts toward water intake, haha.

I still eat pizza, chips and ice cream but the pull is no longer overwhelming. I might have one slice instead of four and ice cream only when the mood hits rather than daily. A small bowl of chips replaces the endless refill. Because hunger is blunted, I simply eat whatever appeals in the amounts that feel right. Fresh berries, apples, oranges, bananas, roasted root vegetables and pickled beets have become regulars. The only items that caused real trouble were a chunky homemade meat sauce followed by a large ribeye.

By the way, one of the oldest ongoing threads on a related forum is still active.

The Mediterranean diet has solid evidence for lowering many health risks. What works best depends heavily on how severe the starting obesity is. Those aiming for very low body fat have different needs than people with much higher BMIs. Large sustained losses usually require foods that maximize fullness per calorie. Some on these medications manage with pizza and beer, but that may not suit those with the toughest cases. While the Mediterranean pattern is excellent for health markers, its higher fat and lower protein content may not optimize hunger control. A version with more protein, less oil, plenty of produce and fewer grains is likely better for weight management. These drugs anyway tend to steer people toward less processed, lower-fat choices.

If the goal is mainly to add muscle while cutting, this medication may not offer a clear edge over the dual agonist anyway. Diet can matter less than dose for some outcomes. I still like simple intermittent fasting, even just twelve hours. If heart health is not a priority then anything goes, including other compounds. One advantage here is a better impact on LDL compared with the dual agonist. Healthy fats can be overrated, just like protein. Aside from fiber, most things are overemphasized because most people are already overnourished. Processed foods are not the only issue; studies show chicken is not as heart protective as claimed, and higher animal protein intake links to worse cardiovascular outcomes. Plant-based approaches exist, with one athlete example being quite strict.