Doctor's important message for anyone taking GLP-1 medications this Christmas

Christmas season is in full swing and let's just say the cheese boards and mince pies are flowing for most of us.

This festive period will be looking pretty different for a lot of Brits, however, with an estimated 1.5 million people currently on weight loss medication in the UK alone.

If this is you and you're worrying how to navigate this indulgent season while on GLP-1s, a nutrition specialist has a very important message on how to enjoy the holidays safely.

As many as one in 10 people on weight loss jabs said they were considering stopping their injections over the Christmas period, however a health expert previously warned against doing this without consulting your doctor first.

Now, Dr Francesca Testa, from weight loss support company Voy, has shared several tips for managing your weight loss journey without losing any enjoyment of the festive period.

More than 1.5 million Brits will be on weight loss meds this Christmas (Getty Stock Images)

How can I enjoy Christmas food while taking GLP-1s?

According to the doctor, the first thing you need to do is make sure you're prioritising protein to manage fullness and prevent fatigue, so get loading up that turkey and make sure you chuck a pig in blanket or two on your plate too.

"Try and include a source of protein during meals such as yoghurt, eggs and lean meat. This will help you stabilise energy levels, support muscle maintenance and keep you comfortably full for longer," Dr Testa said.

"Those on weight-loss medication can find it harder to recognise hunger cues due to changes in hunger perception, which can sometimes lead you toward quick, low nutrition snacks at parties or after a couple of drinks, which is not beneficial for your goals."

If you're one of those who has found your taste buds being altered by your weight loss medication, you can opt for lighter flavours to avoid becoming overwhelmed by strong tastes.

One in 10 have considered stopping their GLP-1s so they can indulge over Christmas (Getty Stock Images)

"For example, swap mulled wine for a warming spiced herbal tea, or pick fruit-based desserts instead of denser puddings to keep things enjoyable without overwhelming your palate. These swaps can satisfy cravings for those not on medication too," she continued.

Next up, you should try and stick to your minimum movement goal as much as possible, even if it only means 10 or 20 minutes of walking in, in between your roast dinner and the Eastenders Christmas special, as movement will 'reduce stress-driven cravings, and keep your metabolism active'. Not to mention, a walk after eating a big meal can help digest your food, preventing stomach ache, painful gas and that dreaded fatigue that leaves you unable to move for the rest of the day.

This might be a slightly less popular piece of advice, given the fact that people love to get merry over the festive period, but Dr Testa advises people on GLP-1s to drink slowly and in moderation when it comes to alcohol.

Drinking is largely associated with the festive period (Getty Stock Images)

"Alcohol may affect you differently on weight loss injections. If alcohol is part of your celebrations, sip slowly," she said. "This helps prevent blood alcohol levels from rising too quickly, keeps calories in check, and reduces the likelihood of late-night snack cravings. Pairing drinks with water can also help pace consumption."

And last but not least, make sure you've got a plan in place for the morning after one too many glasses of fizz, so you don't find yourself reaching for the takeaway menus.

"After a night of drinking, we often tend to reach for those greasy, rich foods such as pizza as our cure," Dr Testa said. "For the inevitable festive season hangovers, make sure to have some healthy options in. Not only will they help you stick to your routine, you’ll feel a lot better for it."