GLP-1 RAs and dietary support

With approximately 500,000 Australians using GLP-1 medications each month, healthcare practitioners are increasingly encountering patients who need guidance on maintaining nutritional adequacy while managing reduced appetite and caloric intake.¹

In this episode, dietitian Jemma O'Hanlon explores common nutritional challenges associated with GLP-1 drugs and other incretin therapies, including protein and micronutrient deficiencies, dehydration, and gastrointestinal side effects. She makes the case for routine dietetic referral when patients commence these medications and shares practical tips to help patients meet their nutritional needs while eating less.

1. Falster, M. O., de Oliveira Costa, J., Milder, T. Y., et al. (2026). Trends in publicly subsidized and private access to GLP-1 medicines indicated for type 2 diabetes in Australia, 2020–2025. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1002/bcp.70715