GLP-1 Nausea: What to Eat (and Avoid) on Wegovy® or Zepbound®

Medically authored by Joshua Silva, MD | Evidence-Based Weight Loss at Potere Health MD

GLP-1 medications like Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) commonly cause nausea, especially during dose increases. The best way to reduce nausea is to eat small, low-fat, bland meals, avoid large or greasy foods, and adjust meal timing—particularly in the 24–48 hours after an injection.

Quick Answer: What should I eat when semaglutide or tirzepatide makes me nauseous?

Eat small, low-fat, bland meals, sip fluids slowly, and avoid large, greasy, or very sweet foods—especially for 24–48 hours after a dose increase. 

Best foods for GLP-1–related nausea

• Crackers or dry toast

• Rice or oatmeal

• Soup or broth

• Applesauce or bananas

• Low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese (if tolerated) 

Try this first (simple 3-step reset):

• Eat a small bland carb + a small protein portion

• Go low-fat for the next day or two

• If nausea persists, talk with your clinician about slowing dose escalation

Why do Wegovy® and Zepbound® cause nausea?

Wegovy and Zepbound can cause nausea because they reduce appetite and make people feel full sooner, which can lead to discomfort if meals are too large, too fatty, or skipped altogether—especially during dose increases.

Nausea is a common, dose-related effect of GLP-1–based therapy and often improves after the dose is held steady.

Common contributors:

• Feeling full sooner than expected

• Eating past satiety (portion size / overeating is a major trigger)

• Skipping meals or going too long without eating

• Higher-fat meals (often harder to tolerate)

• Dose increases that happen too quickly

What should I eat the day of my Wegovy® shot or after a dose increase?

For the next 24–48 hours, keep meals small and low-fat:

• Broth or soup with crackers

• Oatmeal or rice

• Toast with a small portion of yogurt or egg (if tolerated)

Avoid heavy or fried meals until symptoms settle.

Foods to avoid if GLP-1 nausea is an issue

These foods most commonly worsen nausea or fullness:

• Fried or greasy meals

• Large portions

• Very sweet foods or sugary drinks

• Alcohol

• Spicy or acidic foods (especially if reflux is present)

How to eat to reduce nausea (timing matters)

Simple eating behaviors often make the biggest difference:

• Eat smaller meals, more often

• Stop eating as soon as you feel comfortably full

• Don’t skip meals—going too long without eating can worsen nausea for some people

• If drinking with meals worsens fullness, sip fluids between meals

• Avoid lying down right after eating

Can ginger, peppermint, or nausea medications help?

In addition to diet and dose pacing, some people find relief with supportive anti-nausea options, especially during dose increases.

Non-prescription options that may help some people:

• Ginger (tea, chews, or capsules) — commonly used for nausea and generally well tolerated

• Peppermint (tea or lozenges) — may help settle the stomach for some individuals

• Antacids or acid-reducing medications — helpful if nausea is accompanied by heartburn or reflux

• Antihistamine motion-sickness medications (such as dimenhydrinate) — may help nausea but can cause drowsiness and may increase appetite, so they are best used sparingly

Prescription anti-nausea medications:

• In select cases, short-term use of prescription antiemetics (such as ondansetron or promethazine) may be appropriate during dose escalation

• These medications can be sedating and are used selectively and under medical supervision

These strategies don’t replace dose adjustment, but they can help improve comfort while the body adapts.

If nausea is limiting your dose, what can help?

If nausea is preventing you from reaching or staying at an effective dose, medical adjustments often help:

• Slower dose escalation

• Holding at a tolerated dose longer

• Temporary dose reduction with gradual re-increase

• Dividing the weekly dose into two smaller injections (twice-weekly dosing) when dosing from a measured vial, under medical supervision

• Supportive anti-nausea strategies when appropriate

If nausea is limiting your dose, we can adjust pacing and strategies so treatment stays tolerable and effective.

When is nausea not normal?

Contact your clinician promptly if you have:

• Persistent vomiting

• Inability to keep fluids down

• Severe or worsening abdominal pain

• Signs of dehydration (dizziness, dark urine, weakness)

Quick FAQs

How long does GLP-1 nausea last?

For many people, nausea improves within the first few weeks or after the dose is stabilized. Nausea is often most noticeable in the first 48–72 hours after an injection and tends to improve after the first few injections at a given dose, though it can recur temporarily after dose increases.

Should I skip a dose if I feel nauseous?

Usually no. Adjusting dose pacing (such as holding a dose longer or slowing escalation) is often more effective than skipping doses, because inconsistent dosing may prevent the body from adapting and can prolong side effects. Always check with your provider.

Bottom line

You should not feel miserable or unable to function on GLP-1 therapy. With close physician guidance and individualized dosing strategies—such as slower titration, dose pacing, and supportive nutrition—most people can safely tolerate GLP-1 medications and continue treatment comfortably.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice.

About the Author

Dr. Joshua Silva, MD, is a licensed physician and Medical Director of Potere Health MD. He earned his medical degree from the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine and completed residency training in Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the University of Utah, where he also earned a master’s degree in Occupational Health. He later completed a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in health care administration at Ohio University.

Dr. Silva specializes in evidence-based weight management, including GLP-1 and GIP therapies such as semaglutide and tirzepatide. He provides in-person and virtual care for patients in Salt Lake City, St. George, and Cedar City, Utah.

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