One of the best dietary adjustments you can make to help lose the weight caused by your medication is to reduce or eliminate sugar in your diet. Excessive sugar consumption is strongly linked to weight gain and obesity. Sugary foods and beverages contribute to an increase in calorie intake without providing essential nutrients, leading to an imbalance in energy consumption. Extra calories your body can’t use are stored as fat, and that’s the primary way people put on weight. High sugar intake can also disrupt appetite regulation, meaning you may feel hungry sooner after eating and therefore overeat (via Healthline). If your medication is interfering with your metabolism or making you feel hungry, eating added sugars is going to compound the problem.
To reduce the sugar in your diet, eat fewer processed foods and read food labels to identify hidden sugars. Condiments, yogurt, and cereals are major culprits when it comes to hidden sugars. Sugars may also be hiding behind aliases, such as fructose, dextrose, maltose, and sucrose. Replace sugary snacks with whole, nutrient-dense alternatives like fruits or nuts. Gradually reduce the sugar in your beverages, opting for water or herbal tea. Cook at home to control the ingredients in your food, and use natural sweeteners like honey sparingly. Or, swap sugar for natural sugar substitutes like stevia.
Skipping even one or two sugary foods each day can make a big difference in cutting calories and counteracting your medication’s effects on your weight.