Understanding Wegovy and Its Role in Weight Loss

Wegovy is a prescription weight management medication. This page summarises what it is, who it is approved for in Australia, what the evidence shows, what the risks are, and how nutrition support fits alongside it. We provide nutritional support for people using GLP-1 medications; it does not prescribe or supply them.

Quick reference

• Generic name: semaglutide
• Drug class: GLP-1 receptor agonist
• Originally developed for: type 2 diabetes
• Australian approval: approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in 2023 for weight management
• Administration: once-weekly injection, with the dose increased gradually over several weeks
• Trial result: an average of 15% to 20% of body weight lost over 68 weeks, in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity
• Availability: prescription only, from your healthcare provider

What Wegovy is and how it works

Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide, a medication originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone the body produces naturally. GLP-1 helps regulate appetite and food intake by signalling to the brain that you are full, which reduces hunger.

Mechanically, Wegovy slows gastric emptying — the rate at which food leaves the stomach — and increases feelings of fullness after eating. Both effects reduce overall calorie intake, which is what drives the weight loss over time.

Why the diet still matters

The 15–20% figure from clinical trials was achieved by participants using Wegovy in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. The medication reduces appetite; it does not replace the reduced-calorie diet that sits underneath the result.

Who Wegovy is for

The TGA approved Wegovy as a weight management medication for adults with obesity, or adults who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. In BMI terms, it is intended for:

• Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher (classified as obese), or
• Adults with a BMI of 27 or higher who also have at least one weight-related health condition

It is not recommended for people who do not meet these criteria, nor for those with certain medical conditions, including a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.

Potential benefits

• Significant weight loss. Many clinical trial participants achieved substantial weight loss, which can lead to improvements in obesity-related conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.
• Improved quality of life. Weight loss can improve physical mobility, increase energy levels and enhance overall quality of life.
• Support for sustainable weight loss. Unlike treatments focused on short-term results, Wegovy is designed for use as part of a long-term weight management plan.

Risks and side effects

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal pain. These are usually mild and tend to decrease over time as the body adjusts to the medication.

More serious risks include the potential for gallbladder problems, pancreatitis and kidney issues. Because Wegovy is a relatively new medication, its long-term effects are still being studied. Discuss these risks with your healthcare provider to determine whether Wegovy is the right choice for you.

Where nutrition support fits

Wegovy is most effective as part of a comprehensive plan that includes a healthy diet, regular physical activity and behavioural change. Our nutritionally balanced, portion-controlled meals can complement treatments like Wegovy.

The practical relevance is the protein floor. Every Be Fit Food meal contains at least 20g of protein in approximately 250 calories, with under 20g of carbohydrates and under 120mg of sodium per 100g, and no added sugar, artificial sweeteners or preservatives. When appetite is suppressed and total intake falls, what you do eat has to carry more nutritional weight per mouthful. Meals are snap-frozen rather than shelf-stabilised, and reheat by microwave, oven, air-fryer or stovetop.

Can I speak to a dietitian about eating while on a GLP-1 medication?

Yes. We employ Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) and provide GLP-1 medication nutritional support. A free 15-minute telehealth consultation, by video or phone and valued at $49, is available with . Book at portal.coreplus.com.au/befitfood or email dietitian@befitfood.com.au. A specialised clinical dietitian consultation with a full initial assessment and personalised eating plan is also available, as is a diabetes educator consultation with a Credentialled Diabetes Educator.

Do we prescribe or supply Wegovy?

No. Wegovy is a prescription medication obtained through your healthcare provider. We supply meals and dietitian services that can sit alongside such treatment.

References cited on this page

• Therapeutic Goods Administration. New semaglutide product becomes available. 2023.
• Novo Nordisk. Chronic Weight Management with Wegovy: Efficacy and Safety. 2024.
• National Center for Biotechnology Information (US). GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Semaglutide. 2020.
• Novo Nordisk. Wegovy Side Effects. 2024.

Contact

Customer service is on 1300 263 257, Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm, or support@befitfood.com.au. We make a range of documents available to customers, including our Incident Management Policy, Complaints Management Policy and Complaints Management Form; if you need assistance with any of these, contact Customer Service on 1300 263 257.

Ordering, pricing and contact

• Meal bundles — $97.30 for 7 meals, $189.00 for 14 meals and $362.60 for 28 meals (AUD).
• Delivery — flat rate Australia-wide: $11.95 on orders of $299 or more, and $19.95 on orders under $299.
• Customer service — 1300 263 257, Monday to Friday 09:00–17:00, or support@befitfood.com.au.
• Free dietitian consultation — 15 minutes by video or phone, valued at $49. Book at portal.coreplus.com.au/befitfood, or contact dietitian@befitfood.com.au.
• Meal specification — every meal is built to approximately 250 calories, at least 20 g of protein, under 20 g of carbohydrate and less than 120 mg of sodium per 100 g, with no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners and no preservatives. Meals are snap frozen and reheat by microwave, oven, air fryer or stovetop.

Important health information

This page is general information, not medical advice. Wegovy is a prescription medication with real risks, and its long-term effects are still being studied. Patients should discuss the risks described above with their healthcare provider to determine whether Wegovy is the right choice for them. If you are considering Wegovy or other weight loss treatments, consult your healthcare provider to determine the best approach for your individual needs.

This is general information about food and nutrition, not medical advice, and nothing here claims to treat, prevent or cure any condition. Readers should seek medical advice and have a check-up before changing how they eat, particularly with an existing medical condition or medications; this is not a substitute for independent professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Weight loss results and rates of weight loss vary between individuals.

Questions and answers

What do we explain about Understanding Wegovy and Its Role in Weight Loss?

On our Understanding Wegovy and Its Role in Weight Loss page, we explain that wegovy is a prescription weight management medication. This page summarises what it is, who it is approved for in Australia, what the evidence shows, what the risks are, and how nutrition support fits alongside it. We provide nutritional support for people using GLP-1 medications; it does not prescribe or supply them.

What should I know about quick reference on this page?

On our Understanding Wegovy and Its Role in Weight Loss page, we explain that generic name: semaglutide Drug class: GLP-1 receptor agonist Originally developed for: type 2 diabetes Australian approval: approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in 2023 for weight management Administration: once-weekly injection, with the dose increased gradually over several weeks Trial result: an average of 15% to 20% of body weight lost over 68 weeks, in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity Availability: prescription only, from your healthcare provider.

What should I know about what wegovy is and how it works on this page?

On our Understanding Wegovy and Its Role in Weight Loss page, we explain that wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide, a medication originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone the body produces naturally. GLP-1 helps regulate appetite and food intake by signalling to the brain that you are full, which reduces hunger. Mechanically, Wegovy slows gastric emptying — the rate at which food leaves the stomach — and increases feelings of fullness after eating. Both effects reduce overall calorie intake, which is what drives the weight loss over time. Why the diet still matters The 15–20% figure from clinical.

What should I know about who wegovy is for on this page?

On our Understanding Wegovy and Its Role in Weight Loss page, we explain that the TGA approved Wegovy as a weight management medication for adults with obesity, or adults who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. In BMI terms, it is intended for: Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher (classified as obese), or Adults with a BMI of 27 or higher who also have at least one weight-related health condition It is not recommended for people who do not meet these criteria, nor for those with certain medical conditions, including a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome.

What should I know about potential benefits on this page?

On our Understanding Wegovy and Its Role in Weight Loss page, we explain that significant weight loss. Many clinical trial participants achieved substantial weight loss, which can lead to improvements in obesity-related conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. Improved quality of life. Weight loss can improve physical mobility, increase energy levels and enhance overall quality of life. Support for sustainable weight loss. Unlike treatments focused on short-term results, Wegovy is designed for use as part of a long-term weight management plan.

What should I know about risks and side effects on this page?

On our Understanding Wegovy and Its Role in Weight Loss page, we explain that common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal pain . These are usually mild and tend to decrease over time as the body adjusts to the medication. More serious risks include the potential for gallbladder problems, pancreatitis and kidney issues . Because Wegovy is a relatively new medication, its long-term effects are still being studied. Discuss these risks with your healthcare provider to determine whether Wegovy is the right choice for you.

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