Return of "Food Noise" / Cravings
Users on Reddit report varied experiences regarding the return of "food noise" and cravings while on or after stopping GLP-1 medications. Some find that these sensations can return, particularly during maintenance, if the medication is stopped, or sometimes even while actively on treatment, leading to frustration and a search for solutions.
Experiences with Return of Food Noise / Cravings:
A user on Mounjaro for over two years shared, "now am having trouble because it no longer causes this \"side effect\" [suppressing food noise]. "[5]
It's suggested that appetite suppression can wane over time. One comment mentioned, "Studies seem to suggest that appetite suppression, delayed gastric emptying, and reduction of 'food noise' are side effects that can wane with time. "[6]
Another user echoed this: "I think that like many drugs it just diminishes over time... I think the tirz is still suppressing hunger and food noise more than we necessarily realize. It’s just far more understated than it used to be. "[2]
Return After Stopping Medication:
Many users experience a significant return of food noise after discontinuing GLP-1s. One user who stopped semaglutide said, "the food noise is absolutely worse than before. If it’s in front of me I’ll eat it. "[20]
Another who had been off semaglutide for a few weeks noted, "I felt insatiable during those times too. "[15]
A user off Ozempic for a month found food noise "worse than ever. " They also mentioned a low glycemic plan pre-COVID quieted food noise and sweet cravings, which Ozempic didn't fully do. [24]
Someone off semaglutide for 3 weeks stated, "the food noise coming back is just wacked... NOT having that food noise is so mentally freeing. And then having it back is so annoying and distracting to me. "[14]
Food Noise/Cravings Despite Medication:
Some users still experience food noise or specific cravings even while on the medication. One user on Mounjaro 7. 5mg reported, "I still have all the food noise... It’s mostly at night that my food cravings go up. "[17]
Another user on semaglutide experienced increased hunger and sweet cravings: "I went from barely thinking about food to craving sweets like never before... I’m about 6 weeks into 0. 5mg now, and the weight loss has been slow too. "[10]
A user noted, "At first the difference was more dramatic because I had no food noise for the first 4 months on Zepbound. Now that the food noise has returned, I still can't and don't want to eat as much... "[13]
Specific Cravings (e. g. , Sugar):
Some users report intense sugar cravings. One user on semaglutide said, "for the first three days all I could do was binge eat sugar!!! And lots of it! "[11] Another shared, "Oddly, I was not a sweets person until I got to 1. 7 dose... I noticed I want sugar constantly. "[12]
A user who had been on semaglutide for almost 2 years and maintained their goal weight stated, "Never had a sweet tooth before semaglutide and now it feels crazy. Like when I need it I NEED it. "[26]
Another mentioned, "Most foods don't sound good to me anymore, but sugary foods still do! I've honestly eaten a large bowl of ice cream almost every night since I started my GLP-1. "[22]
Reasons Suggested for Return of Food Noise/Cravings:
Low Blood Sugar: Intense cravings, particularly for sugar, are sometimes attributed to low blood sugar. A user suspected, "the carbs and sugar cravings when I started Sema…was blood sugar related all along. "[27] Another suggested, "Sugar cravings can mean a couple of things. First and foremost it could be a sign of low blood sugar. "[25]
Underlying Conditions: For some, food noise is linked to conditions like ADHD. "For me the food noise was one symptom of what turned out to be undiagnosed ADHD- I was constantly seeking dopamine, and sugar/carbs were my favorite source. "[16]
Body's Natural Set Point Adjustment: One user shared a doctor's explanation: "the medication causes the body to defend a new set point, lower than before the medication, so appetite is down during weight loss because the body is trying to get us to our new lower set point. Once there we get appetite back but we do not gain weight. "[9]
Dehydration/Electrolyte Imbalance: One user suggested sugar cravings could be due to dehydration or needing electrolytes if not eating a balanced diet. [25]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
Dosage Adjustments: One user found going back to weekly injections after trying to space them out helped quiet food noise: "Went down a dose, but back to weekly and my brain has been quiet since. "[3]
Splitting Doses: Suggested by some, though one user questioned if splitting doses might mean not getting enough medication at each time. [23]
Dietary Strategies:
Protein Intake: Increasing protein was recommended. "I had the same problem until I basically tripled my protein intake. A chocolate protein shake scratched my sugar/chocolate craving. "[18]
Managing Blood Sugar: Eating before exercise or having a little honey for suspected low blood sugar was mentioned. "I think it’s a low blood sugar thing possibly triggering panic eating sugar. "[27] Another user suggested, "try a glass of orange juice. This medicine lowers your blood sugar so that might be sending your body into a sugar panic. "[28]
Hydration and Electrolytes: Ensuring adequate water intake and electrolytes, especially if the diet is restrictive. [25]
Balanced Diet/Complex Carbs: One user found they did better with "complex carbs combined with fats and proteins" to manage blood sugar on Tirzepatide. [27]
Lifestyle and Behavioral Changes:
Recognizing New Hunger Cues: Learning to identify new hunger signals. "It took me about 6-8 months to recognize the new signs of hunger ( or what hunger is supposed to feel like). "[19]
Mindful Eating: Even with returning food noise, some find they are "much better able to be mindful about what I eat and how much. "[13]
Therapy: Seeking therapy for food addiction or eating disorders. "One of the things i want to do while on semiglutide is seek therapy for my food addiction. "[29]
Calorie Counting: For maintenance, one user stated, "Calorie counting. The food noise/hunger does not return full force as long as I stay at my clinically significant dose (2. 4mg/week). "[30]
Addressing Underlying Conditions: Some users found medications like Wellbutrin or Adderall helped with food noise, sometimes linked to ADHD. [4, 16]
Long-Term Medication: Many users anticipate needing GLP-1s long-term to manage food noise. "I do not anticipate being able to ever completely quit sema. "[1] Another stated, "Without the medication, the chances that you'll have a \"normal\" relationship with food are slim to none. "[31]
It's important to note that some users report GLP-1s did not help with their food noise at all. [32, 33] Experiences vary widely, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Experiences with Return of Food Noise / Cravings:
- Return during Maintenance or Over Time:
- Some users on maintenance doses report the return of food noise and appetite.
Reasons Suggested for Return of Food Noise/Cravings:
- Medication Tolerance/Waning Effect: Some users believe they build a tolerance.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
- Medication Adjustments:
- Switching Medications: Some users found relief by switching GLP-1 types, for example, from semaglutide to tirzepatide.
It's important to note that some users report GLP-1s did not help with their food noise at all. [32, 33] Experiences vary widely, and what works for one person may not work for another.