GLP-1s, Ozempic, and the Food Noise Nobody’s Talking About
Everywhere you turn, someone’s talking about GLP-1 medications — Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro — and the dramatic weight-loss results they promise. But behind the headlines and hashtags, there’s a more complicated reality that doesn’t always make it into the conversation.
I recently sat down with Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, a board-certified adult and addiction psychiatrist, Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders, and founder of Galen Hope in Florida and Within Health nationwide. Together, we unpacked what’s actually happening in people’s bodies and minds when they start GLP-1s — especially those who already struggle with food, body image, or diet culture pressure.
This post is based off of our conversation which you can watch here: GLP-1s For Weight Loss: What You Need to Know
What GLP-1s Actually Do
GLP-1 medications mimic a hormone in the gut that slows down how quickly food leaves the stomach. That means you feel full sooner, longer, and think about food less.
That’s not “willpower” — it’s physiology. For some people with diabetes or serious metabolic concerns, this effect can be medically helpful. But for others, especially those with a history of restrictive eating or body dissatisfaction, this can open the door to new struggles.
“Appetite suppression isn’t healing — it’s symptom management through under-fueling.”
The Truth About “Food Noise”
One of the biggest selling points you’ll hear is that GLP-1s “get rid of food noise.”
But what is food noise, really?
Clinically, food noise is the conflict between wanting or needing to eat and fearing or feeling ashamed to eat. Silencing that voice through medication might bring temporary relief, but it doesn’t heal the underlying shame, fear, or diet rules that caused the noise in the first place.
Real quiet comes from nourishment, exposure, emotional regulation, and practicing intuitive or mindful eating — not from starving the body into silence.
The Missing Conversation in Weight-Loss Culture
GLP-1s may change your appetite, but they don’t change the why behind your relationship with food. They don’t touch the shame, fear, or body dissatisfaction that often lead to disordered eating in the first place. Many people start these medications believing that once the weight comes off, they’ll finally feel confident, calm, or “fixed.” But as we’ve seen clinically, the scale can move while the noise in your mind stays the same—or even gets louder once hunger returns. These medications often get praised for eliminating “food noise,” but what they’re really doing is numbing it, not treating it. When the medication wears off, the thoughts, cravings, and emotions around food come rushing back—often stronger than before—because the root cause was never addressed.
At the same time, healing and medication don’t have to be opposites. You can use a GLP-1 and still work on food freedom—but it takes structure, self-awareness, and an eating disorder–informed team. That means monitoring your mood and energy, following a meal plan even when you’re not hungry, and making sure your doctor isn’t celebrating weight loss at the expense of your well-being. The goal isn’t just to lose weight; it’s to stay nourished, mentally steady, and connected to your body. Because no medication can teach you what recovery does: how to trust your body again, eat with ease, and stop letting your worth be dictated by your weight.
Side Effects That Deserve More Attention
Beyond the well-known nausea or constipation, clinicians are seeing deeper effects:
Fatigue and low motivation — not from the drug itself, but from not eating enough to fuel the body.
Mood changes like depression and rumination that often accompany chronic under-fueling.
Muscle loss (sarcopenia) and weight cycling after discontinuation.
Loss of enjoyment around food and social eating, because fullness comes so quickly.
Rebound hunger or louder food noise between doses.
None of this means GLP-1s are “bad.” It means they need to be approached with the same care, nuance, and support as any other major medical decision.
If You’re Considering a GLP-1
Ask yourself:
What do I truly want to change — and why?
Who is on my care team?
How will I nourish myself if my hunger cues change?
What’s my plan for body comments or social eating?
How will I care for myself when the medication ends?
If you’re already working on your relationship with food, remember: you can hold both truths. You can pursue medical support and protect your mental health. You can care for your body without trying to shrink it.
Final Thoughts
Healing your relationship with food isn’t about rejecting modern medicine or swearing off all medications. It’s about pausing to honestly assess your goals and motivations — with a team who understands both the science and the psychology of eating. Before starting or continuing any GLP-1, ask yourself: Will this truly support my long-term well-being, or will it just delay the deeper healing I need?
Medications can play a role, but they can’t replace the inner work — the part where you rebuild trust with your body, reconnect with hunger, and learn that nourishment is not the enemy. The real goal isn’t control; it’s peace. And that peace begins when you start making decisions about your body from understanding, not fear.
If this conversation resonated, I’d love to help you go deeper.
Explore my group program Find Food Peace — a therapist + dietitian-led space to rebuild trust with food and body.
👉 Learn more at danieladurazo.com/find-food-peace
Or, join The Community Hub, where we heal and grow together.
About My Guest
Dr. Wendy Oliver-Piatt, MD
Board-Certified Adult & Addiction Psychiatrist
Fellow, Academy for Eating Disorders & American Psychiatric Association
Founder, Galen Hope (Florida) and Within Health (nationwide)
Disclaimer
This blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, nutritional, or psychological advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, changing, or stopping any medication or treatment plan.