Forget diet rules: what you don’t need to do on weight loss drugs

Tanya Reynard | Last update: 28th June 2025

Here’s our guide to unlearning outdated diet advice — and what actually works instead.

1. Calorie counting? Nope.

You don’t need to log every bite to lose weight. It’s not even that accurate.

Apps and trackers can lead to obsessive habits without offering much precision. Instead, try this:

• Listen to your body — the treatments reduce appetite, so eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re full.
• Stick to portion basics — a meat portion = size of a deck of cards.
• Focus on nutrients — aim for plenty of protein (1.8–2.2g per kg of body weight) and around 25–30g of fibre daily. See our guides on how to get the right amount of protein and fibre.

The real win? Trusting your body while focusing on balanced, nourishing meals.

2. Long fasts? No thanks.

Intermittent fasting might be trendy, but with weight loss drugs doing the hunger-suppressing work, fasting more than 14–16 hours can leave you feeling faint, dizzy or just plain rubbish.

Overnight fasts are fine. Beyond that? It’s unnecessary.

3. Juice cleanses = empty promises

Juice fasts and detoxes may drop a few pounds fast — but it’s mostly water weight. Once you return to real food, the scales bounce back.

Instead, focus on:

• Whole foods you can chew
• Staying hydrated with plain water or electrolyte drinks
• Fueling your body, not depriving it

Your liver detoxes your body just fine. No juice cleanse required.

4. You can still eat carbs

The anti-carb crew won’t like this, but you do not need to quit carbs on weight loss drugs. Actually, cutting carbs too drastically can:

• Drain your energy
• Spike cravings
• Make your weight fluctuate due to lost water, not fat

A better plan:

• Choose “power carbs” — oats, chickpea pasta, quinoa, sweet potatoes
• Portion control — a fist-sized serving is usually enough
• Pair with protein or non-starchy veg to avoid sugar crashes

Carbs are your friend when they’re the right kind.

5. Daily weigh-ins = Mood killers

Weight can fluctuate daily based on water, hormones, and digestion. Weighing yourself every morning can turn into a cycle of stress.

Weigh yourself once a week instead. And even then, go by how your clothes feel, how your energy holds, and how your mindset shifts.

6. Shame has no place here

Weight loss drugs are powerful tools — not a reason to beat yourself up. One bad meal or missed walk doesn’t undo your progress. Self-shaming only slows you down.

Instead:

• Celebrate the small wins
• Reset without guilt
• Share struggles with the SlimrChat community

This is a long-term journey, not a test you’re being graded on. Read our article here on the celebrating the wins no one sees.

7. Obsessive water goals? Unnecessary.

Hydration matters. But drinking 4 litres a day because TikTok told you to? Not helpful.

Listen to your body. 1.5 to 2 litres daily is enough for most people unless you’re sweating heavily or working out.

Bottom line: Ditch the diet dogma

Forget the outdated rules. With GLP-1 weight loss drugs on board, your approach can be simpler, more intuitive, and way more sustainable.

• Don’t count every calorie
• Don’t skip meals or cut major food groups
• Don’t punish yourself

You’re not alone in this. The SlimrChat community is full of people finding what works — for real life. Come chat with us, share your wins, vent your frustrations, and learn what’s actually helpful.