New Diet Trends in 2024

If one of your goals for the coming year is to lose weight, you should be aware of some of the new diet trends that will be catching on. Losing weight is a difficult challenge for a lot of folks, and it involves making a commitment to putting your health first. This can mean you’ve got to make changes and stick to them consistently. Whether that’s increasing the amount of exercise you do each day, or making adjustments to what and how much you’re consuming, these are the types of things that will get you the long term results you’re looking for.

Each year there are new diet trends that emerge, and some of them may be methods that could help you finally reach your weight loss goals. So what does 2024 have in store? Glad you asked because today we’re covering:

• Weight loss drugs diet trend
• Lifestyle changes to make
• Food that will keep you happy and healthy

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Weight loss drugs - the new diet trend

What are Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy and are they for you?

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One of the most popular new diet trends to come about is the use of GLP-1 agonists, which are a type of drug that were originally prescribed to help type 2 diabetics control their blood sugar levels more effectively. Drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro mimic the action of the glucagon-like peptide 1, which is a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. When they start to rise, these drugs induce the body to produce more insulin to help lower blood sugar.

Doctors noticed that the patients they placed on these drugs also started to lose weight, which was a nice side effect. Further research was done and it appears that these types of drugs also curb hunger and slow down the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine. This could make you feel fuller faster, causing you to consume less calories throughout the day. 

Who are these drugs for?

You will need to discuss with your doctor if these weight loss medications are right for you, as Wegovy is the only drug currently FDA approved for weight loss. The other two drugs (and many others) are FDA approved to help with blood sugar levels, but can be prescribed for weight loss.

These medications are for people who:

• Have type 2 diabetes
• Have a BMI of 30 or greater
• Have a BMI of 27 or greater and a weight related medical condition

So what are some of the pros and cons of this new diet trend?

Pros:

• You can lose weight 
• Lower your blood sugar levels
• Take your medication once a week

Cons:

• Cost of the medication
• Most medication is done by injection
• Side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation

Other concerns that have accompanied these weight loss drugs is the loss of muscle mass, decreasing bone density, and lowering your resting metabolic rate. These issues can lead to a condition known as sarcopenia, which is the reduction of your muscle mass and loss of function that’s typically associated with aging. 

When you’re taking these GLP-1s, you can lose weight at a more rapid pace than you might see with just regular changes to your diet and physical activity routines. While there are lots of benefits to losing weight, including reducing your chances of developing chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes, the quick pace that your dropping pounds may have an effect on your muscle mass. But don’t worry, there are ways to combat this! 

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Lifestyle changes are essential

If you’re taking a GLP-1, make sure you also make the appropriate changes to your lifestyle so you can lose weight, and stay healthy

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Starting on a weight loss medication like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjuro is a great way to balance out your blood sugar and start to lose the weight. However, you need to be aware that you’ll have to make important lifestyle changes as well.  

Strength training on your weight loss journey

One of the most important parts of maintaining your muscle strength during your weight loss journey is by incorporating strength or resistance training. This is done in addition to cardio exercise (such as walking, jogging, swimming, or biking) and can be done with weights or resistance bands that you’re comfortable with. And not to worry, you don’t have to spend hours in a gym or learn 50 new exercises to effectively work the major muscles in your body. But there are a few exercises you should plan on concentrating on.

• Squats are a great way to work the large muscles of your thighs and hamstrings. You can also hold weights to add some extra resistance.
• Overhead presses require you to lift weights over your head as you stand working your shoulders and back.
• You can also include chest presses, which will require you to lay flat, and push the weights away from your body to work your arms.
• Hip hinges are perfect to work your back muscles and hamstrings. Just lower the weights slowly as you hinge from your waist and pull them back up to standing.
• Rows with weights require you bend over slightly and pull the weights back to work the back of your arms as well as your upper back.

Exercises like these do not take a lot of time, and experts recommend trying to complete 10 reps, two to three times each. Doing these about three times a week is a great way to ensure you’re keeping your muscles strong to avoid any deterioration. 

Complementary foods to help you stay healthy

The other way you can keep up your muscle strength and functionality as you continue to lose weight is to increase your protein intake. Adding more protein to your day is one of the best ways to keep you full and have the energy you’ll need to complete your strength training exercises. It’s best to space out your protein throughout the day so your body has a chance to digest it. Protein moves more slowly through the body, so you’ll stay fuller for longer periods of time, and require less calories to feel satisfied. Less caloric intake is a great way to ensure you’re ending the day on a calorie deficit, which will allow you to lose weight.

Healthy, portion controlled, low sugar/high protein food is essential when you’re taking a weight loss drug!

Why not start out your day with a high protein cereal like WonderSlim’s Protein Cereal? These crunchy o’s come with 14-16 grams of plant based protein, which is perfect when you want to fill up first thing in the morning and avoid snacking. This cereal also contains only 120 calories, 4 grams of net carbs, 1 gram of sugar or less, and comes in two delicious flavors. You’ll never miss the extra sugar and carbs from traditional cereals! And you don’t have to limit yourself to eating this with milk in the morning. It’s easy to bring these single servings with you for the perfect, healthy snack later in the day.

Another great way to add more protein to your day is with a convenient shake, like WonderSlim’s Meal Shake. Each portion controlled packet is designed to be easy to make no matter where you are, all you need to do is add water and mix! These shakes come in 8 flavors plus a variety pack and feature 15 grams of casein protein, 100 calories, and 24 vitamins and minerals to keep your body nourished. Casein is a slow digesting protein, which means you’re going to feel full long after you finish this shake. Have it as a replacement for a meal, or as a fortified snack in between, and say goodbye to hunger pangs.

Need something you can throw in your bag and enjoy anywhere? Then make sure to pick up these Protein and Fiber Bars. These bars contain 15 grams of protein, 6-8 grams of fiber, 1-5 grams of sugar, and just 160 calories or less. Munch on these and you’re going to feel full for hours, and have the energy you need to take on your day. Choose from four flavors and never compromise when you’re feeling hungry, but want to stick to your healthy routine. Take these bars with you anywhere for a snack that only tastes guilty! 

Weight loss medications are a top new diet trend

If you’re planning to start a weight loss prescription, make sure you’re aware of some of the potential side effects and protect and build your lean muscle while you lose weight!