Managing Nausea on GLP-1 Medications

Practical Strategies

1. Eat smaller portions. Your stomach empties more slowly — large meals are a primary nausea trigger.
2. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly. Rushing a meal is one of the fastest ways to trigger nausea.
3. Avoid high-fat, greasy, or fried foods — they slow gastric emptying further.
4. Eat at the same times each day to establish a routine your digestive system can predict.
5. Stay upright for 30–60 minutes after eating. Lying down right after a meal worsens symptoms.
6. Ginger — in tea, chews, or capsule form — has a meaningful evidence base for nausea reduction.
7. Cold or room-temperature foods are often better tolerated than hot, strongly scented meals.
8. Sip fluids throughout the day rather than drinking large amounts at once.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

Bring these to your next appointment. Your prescriber is your best resource for decisions specific to your situation.

• "Is the nausea I'm experiencing typical for my dose level?"
• "Would slowing my dose escalation schedule reduce my nausea?"
• "Are there any anti-nausea medications (like ondansetron or promethazine) appropriate for my situation?"
• "At what point would nausea severity warrant stopping or switching medications?"