Make sure you’re getting enough of these – most people don’t.
Calcium and vitamin D are two nutrients of public health concern – most Americans don’t get enough of them, and they should be prioritized.2 Eating less food while on GLP-1 meds can make it even harder to get enough of them. Calcium is important for everything from strong bones to muscle contraction, nerve function and more, and can be found in dairy foods like milk, yogurt and cheese as well as fortified plant-based alternatives like soymilk or oatmilk and leafy greens like kale, spinach and collard greens. Vitamin D works with calcium in the body to support bone health and is also an important nutrient to help support the immune system. Only a few foods, like fatty fish, egg yolks and mushrooms, naturally contain it. Most dairy milks, yogurts, and many plant-based milk alternatives sold in the U.S. are fortified with vitamin D, so those can be a good source as well.
1. Almandoz JP, Wadden TA, Tewksbury C, et al. Nutritional considerations with antiobesity medications. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2024;32(9):1613-1631.
2. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th Edition. December 2020