️ The three that can make it worse

Fat is the single cooking variable most likely to worsen GI symptoms on GLP-1. The medication already slows gastric emptying — additional fat from cooking method compounds that effect. Keeping added fat low during cooking and letting people add fat at the table gives them more control over tolerance.

The protein that most people can actually finish

A soft-poached egg, a piece of 🐟 white fish, a spoonful of 🥛 Greek yogurt. Low-fat protein sources like these are associated with better GI tolerability during GLP-1 treatment compared to higher-fat protein options. Well-cooked 🥚 eggs and soft-cooked 🫘 lentils are gentler on a slowed digestive system than raw or undercooked equivalents.

A whole set of practices that predate GLP-1 by a century

The principles most GLP-1 users find themselves adopting — small portions, low fat, protein priority, easy textures — overlap closely with standards established in early twentieth-century hospital dietetics for patients with reduced appetite and altered digestion. The overlap is not a coincidence. The problem was the same then as it is now: how do you feed someone when their stomach is not working normally? Poaching and steaming have been established as preferred cooking methods in clinical diet

Foodbe

June 4, 2026

👖 How do you cook for someone on GLP-1?

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

The portion is already smaller than usual. The person on GLP-1 doesn't need a separate menu — they need the same food in a smaller portion with protein at the center.

GLP-1 medications significantly slow gastric emptying — food moves through the stomach more slowly than usual. Higher-fat meals can slow gastric emptying further, which is why heavy or rich food tends to feel more uncomfortable than it did before treatment.

A piece of fish, some 🫘 lentils, some vegetables alongside each other rather than a casserole or stew. Serving components separately makes it easier for the person on GLP-1 to prioritize protein and stop eating once fullness kicks in.

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