Should You Track Calories on a GLP-1 Medication?
If you're taking a GLP-1 medication like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), you've probably wondered: should I be tracking my calories?
The internet is full of conflicting advice. Some influencers swear that calorie tracking is essential for "maximizing results." Others claim the medication does all the work, so why bother? Your Great Uncle lost 50 pounds without tracking a single thing, but your coworker insists you need to log every bite.
So what does the evidence actually say?
Let's look at what we know about calorie tracking, GLP-1 medications, and whether combining the two makes sense for your specific situation.
Protein and Fibre on GLP-1 Medication: Eating Enough Without Dieting
One of the slightly unexpected side effects of starting GLP-1 medication isn’t cravings disappearing.
People expect that bit.
What they don’t expect is how quietly eating can change.
There’s no big moment. No dramatic loss of interest in food. Just a gradual sense that meals matter a bit less than they used to. Portions get smaller without much effort. Sometimes food feels neutral. Sometimes it feels like admin.
And because nothing feels obviously wrong, it’s easy to assume everything is fine.
That’s usually when the question appears:
Am I actually eating enough?
Not in a panicked way. Just when you’re on your fourth coffee of the day, wondering why energy feels a bit flat.