Here is the diet plan you should follow when taking Orlistat.

Orlistat is a popular weight loss medication that is known to be an effective way to drop weight when teamed with a healthy, low-fat diet and appropriate exercise. Whilst Orlistat is an effective medication on its own; you can make the most of this medication by following a few health hacks. A carefully planned diet for instance, plays a crucial role when taking Orlistat for weight loss.

Here are some things you should consider to optimise the benefits of Orlistat.

A mildly hypo-caloric diet:

A hypo caloric diet means you consume fewer calories than you can burn. To achieve this you can do the following: - Fill up on starchy foods so you feel full for a while and end up consuming fewer calories. Starchy carbohydrates like bread, potato, rice and pasta. - Make sure at least half of your diet consists of fibrous vegetables and salads so you consume lesser portions but you still eat nutritious food. - Practice portion control and make sure you don't overdo your food intake just because you are eating healthy. - Follow a healthy, well-balanced calorie-controlled diet. Make sure your diet is nutrient-rich and contains enough proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

The fibre intake:

Fibre plays a crucial role in your diet as it helps maintain a healthy digestive system, fills you up and helps reduce cholesterol levels.

In order to ensure you are consuming enough fibre in your diet you can do the following. - Choose high-fibre breakfast cereals like barn-flakes over corn flakes - Pick wholemeal bread, whole wheat pasta and brown rice - Include pulses, peas, beans and lentils in your diet - Consume ample fruits and vegetables as they contain essential nutrients, promote good health and improve immune functions.

The fat intake:

Orlistat causes weight loss by preventing a third of your meal's fat from being absorbed into your body, so your meals need to contain between 1-15 grams of fat - no more and no less.

If you switch to a no-fat diet and your meals don't contain any; then there will be no fat for Orlistat to prevent from absorbing. If you consume fatty-foods and your meals are high on fat, then Orlistat won't be able to able to keep all the fat from absorbing. This in turn will make you experience side effects thus rendering Orlistat useless.

For Orlistat to work effectively for your weight loss therefore, your daily fat intake should not exceed 30% of your total calorie intake every day. For instance, if you consume a total of 1500 calories in a day, then a maximum of no more than 500 calories can come from fat.

Tips for reducing fat intake whilst taking Orlistat:

We understand it can be difficult to consume just the right amount of fat when taking Orlistat. Read on as we list some smart hacks to cut your fat intake. - Eat more fruits and vegetables - Bake, broil, or grill to avoid frying - Use fat-free or plant-based milk instead of whole milk - Instead of cooking with butter or margarine, try cooking with olive oil instead. - Snack on fruits and vegetables instead of crisps and chips - Avoid eating any processed foods

Orlistat diet plan:

We understand it can be tricky to decide what to eat when you start Orlistat for weight loss. Here are some food ideas to help you make the most of this weight loss medication.

Breakfast Idea:

  • A soft-boiled egg on toast

Lunch Idea:

  • Baked cod or grilled chicken with a tangy topping

Dinner Idea:

  • Spiced chicken with the side of spinach and sweet potato stew

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Ikra Javed

Clinical Pharmacist

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