GLP-1 Medications · Evidence-Based Guide

Your GLP-1 guide —
built for where you are right now

These medications mean something different depending on where you are in the journey. We wrote two separate guides — one for each stage — so the information you get is actually relevant to you.

Path One 🔍
I'm curious about
GLP-1 medications

You're weighing your options. You've heard about these medications, maybe seen them discussed by friends or online, and you want real, unbiased information — not a sales pitch. This guide explains how they work, who they're for, what results look like, and how to have an informed conversation with your provider.

How GLP-1s work Am I A Candidate? Semaglutide vs tirzepatide What to expect Side effects Cost & access Talking to your provider
Start here → Path Two 💉
I'm already taking
a GLP-1 medication

You're on the medication and you want to make the most of it. This guide is practical, specific, and clinician-written — covering nutrition strategy while appetite is suppressed, muscle preservation, managing side effects, understanding plateaus, and what to think about for the long term.

Eating when not hungry Protein strategy Muscle preservation Managing nausea Understanding plateaus The window concept Long-term planning
Start here →
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✦ Evidence-based
Written by board-certified Physician Associates
No ads, no sponsorships
Updated 2026
What each guide covers
Considering GLP-1s
The 40-year science behind GLP-1 medications — this isn't new
How these medications actually work in the body
Candidacy criteria: who benefits, who should be cautious
Semaglutide vs. tirzepatide — what the trials actually show
Oral vs. injectable options and what's coming in the pipeline
Real side effect profile — not a fear list, not a dismissal
Compounded GLP-1s: what you need to know
Cost, insurance, and access — the honest picture
Questions to bring to your provider appointment
The full evidence base: what these medications treat beyond weight
Already Taking a GLP-1
The GLP-1 window: what it is and why you need to use it intentionally
Eating when you're not hungry — why this is non-negotiable
Protein targets and how to hit them on a suppressed appetite
Muscle preservation: resistance training on a GLP-1
Nausea, GI symptoms — evidence-based management strategies
Understanding the plateau: what's happening and what to do
Hidden patterns the medication may be masking
Bone health considerations during significant weight loss
Planning for long-term success with or without medication
When to talk to your provider and what to say