I’m A Nutritionist – Here’s What I Really Think About Weight Loss Jabs

Our contributing health editor, nutritionist Kim Pearson, has spent two decades in the weight loss field. So what’s her take on the GLP-1 revolution?

Weight Loss Jabs: A Nutritionist’s Take

GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic have exploded in popularity in recent years. They have, unquestionably, had the most disruptive impact I have seen in my 20 years working in the weight loss field.

If you’re someone who has been struggling with their weight for many years, I completely understand the appeal. Perhaps you’ve thought about trying a weight loss injection but you’re hesitant, concerned about the side effects, or what happens when you stop. Maybe you’re tempted by the promise, but there’s a niggling voice inside saying: this sounds too good to be true. 

Or perhaps you’ve already tried weight loss injections and found they weren’t the solution you’d hoped for. Like many users, you may have stopped early because of unpleasant side effects. Maybe you did lose weight, only to see it return quickly once you stopped injecting, and now you’re searching for something that lasts. Or perhaps you’ve reached a weight you’re happy with and you want a reliable way to maintain those results without taking medication long term.

If you can relate to any of these scenarios, please know that you are not alone. I have worked with countless people in exactly the same position. And there is another way: one that supports your metabolism and regulates appetite naturally, and gives you the tools to create results that last. But first, here’s what I really think about weight loss medications.

No judgement

I want to make it very clear that I do not judge those who choose to take GLP-1 medications for weight loss. I know all too well, both from my own personal experience and from my work with clients, just how frustrating, upsetting and all-consuming it can be to struggle with your weight.

For many people who decide to use weight loss medication, this is not their first attempt at losing weight. Often, it comes after years of effort, frustration and disappointment. If diet and exercise had worked, that would have been their preferred route.

What we choose to do with our bodies is a personal choice, and I am not here to tell anyone what they should or should not do. But it is my goal to help people better understand how their bodies work, and to empower them with the knowledge and practical tools to genuinely care for themselves.

My honest assessment

My feelings about GLP-1s can be summarised simply. They are not a magic fix. They do not teach you how to optimise your diet, understand your body, or maintain results when the injections stop. They do nothing to tackle the root cause of the obesity epidemic, which is what is so desperately needed. And they come with a long list of worrying potential side effects. Given the likelihood of rapid weight gain once you stop, I simply do not believe they are worth the risk for the majority of people taking them for weight loss.

There is another way

The good news is there genuinely is another way. A way without the risks that come with prescription drugs, where the side effect profile looks very different: better sleep, improved digestion, more energy, enhanced mood and longer term wellbeing.

Over two decades working with many hundreds of clients to help them achieve lasting weight loss, I know that a natural, drug-free solution is possible. The positive effects that GLP-1 medications are known for – reduced hunger and cravings, more stable blood sugar, reduced food noise – can be replicated naturally, through specific nutrition and lifestyle strategies. This is what my team and I support our clients in achieving every week. 

My new book The Nozempic Diet is the culmination of two decades of experience, combined with my fascination with the evolving science of nutrition and metabolic health. In it, I share an eight principle approach to optimising your nutrition, sleep, daily routine and mindset for effective, lasting weight loss, without the risks, the side effects, or the weight rebound. Effective weight loss can be achieved naturally. Sustainable results are possible. You just need the right tools to get there.

Kim Pearson is a nutritionist specialising in metabolic health and weight management To find out more about Kim’s work, visit her website kim-pearson.com or follow her on Instagram.