Go on, give it a shot.
Ozempic and other game-changing weight loss drugs are popular for a reason — but, nutrition experts say, don’t forget the all-natural, everyday foods that were out there controlling appetites first.
Writing for Eat This, Not That!, dietitian Gillean Barkyoumb suggests that the trendy GLP-1 hormone-mimicking jabs designed to keep users feeling satiated longer — sending “signals of fullness to the brain” — in fact have some very common (and much more affordable) equivalents in our diets.
“Certain foods can naturally activate similar pathways,” Barkyoumb explained — helping to curb cravings and manage your intake.
Take oats, for example — the breakfast staple has been eaten for centuries for a reason, apparently.
“Oats are packed with soluble fiber, specifically beta-glucan, which helps slow down digestion and increases satiety,” Barkyoumb said.
“By forming a gel-like substance in the stomach, oats delay gastric emptying, keeping you full longer. This mimics the way GLP-1 drugs prolong the digestion process, reducing the frequency and intensity of hunger,” she continued.
In fact, The Post reported earlier, some TikTokers who turned to a natural concoction called “Oatzempic” wound up losing 40 pounds in just two months.
Meanwhile, high-in-protein Greek yogurt is another winner, the pro stated, noting that “protein takes longer to digest than carbohydrates, helping to curb appetite,” she said.
Research suggests that protein “may increase natural GLP-1 secretion, which enhances feelings of fullness,” Barkyoumb revealed.
Lentils are full of fiber, which “slows down digestion,” once again reproducing the effect of the GLP-1 drugs, at a cost of cents per meal, versus the $250 per week or more some Americans are paying when they can’t get insurance to cover the pricey shots.
Apples made the list thanks to pectin, “a type of soluble fiber that expands in your stomach and delays digestion,” the diet diva stated.
And eggs — an everyday favorite in many American households — can also be seen as a weight-loss aid, the pro explained, for the same reason as Greek yogurt: lots of protein.
Other foods to try include avocado, barley, chia seeds and dark leafy greens like kale and spinach, according to the expert.
