Drugs Like Ozempic and Wegovy Cut Cravings and Turn Down Food Noise

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2 years ago

June 29, 2023

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Share on Pinterest People are reporting that drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have helped changed their relationship, ending compulsive thoughts and constant distractions from food noise. AleksandarGeorgiev/Getty ImagesPeople who take Wegovy say it helps silence food noise. While food noise is not a medical term, experts define it as compulsively thinking about and being distracted by food.Experts say there are also ways to silence food noise without using medication.

For much of her life, food dominated Gray Beards thoughts.

I would wake up hungry and think about what I was going to eat for the day, she told Healthline.

As a kindergarten teacher, after waking up, she would immediately think about what to eat during morning and afternoon snack times and what to bring for lunch. Her thoughts were also preoccupied with what to eat for dinner and nighttime snacks.

Everything was centered around whens the next meal going to be, Beard said. After dinner, Id still feel hungry and think theres some ice cream, maybe Ill eat that. The food noise was always there. When I was bored, Id go snack.

Since she started taking the weight loss drug Wegovy about four months ago, she said the food noise has silenced.

[It] has been quieted and gone away, she said. My family now gets annoyed cause sometimes its 6:00 and theyre like, are you going to make dinner?’

During the first four months of taking the medication, she lost 16 pounds and experienced mild side effects, including constipation and nausea the day and day after she gives herself the shot. The side effects are manageable and she is happy with the pace she is dropping pounds.

I want to do it slow because I know from reading and research that the slower you lose it the more likely you are to keep it off, Beard said. Im trying to feel better about myself and Im trying to get my confidence up so to me its not about the number on the scale or how skinny I may look; its how I feel. What is food noise?

While food noise is not a medical term or diagnosis, Dr. Rekha Kumar, practicing endocrinologist in NYC and Chief Medical Officer of Found, said patients who have challenges with their weight or eating behavior describe food noise as a preoccupation with food, healthy food, trying to avoid unhealthy food, planning the next meal, or thinking about whether to stop eating.

The term is similar to hedonic hunger, which researchers define as preoccupation with and desire to consume foods for the purposes of pleasure and in the absence of physical hunger.

Kumar noted that many clinicians who treat disordered eating conditions also use the term.

To me, it always implied an overwhelming effort patients are making to control their eating behavior when our biology should do much of that naturally (with some element of mindfulness rather than total preoccupation of thoughts on this), Kumar told Healthline.

She explained that the reason glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists like Wegovy and Ozempic might help to silence food noise is because they restore the gut-brain connection that might not be functioning properly in people who are living with overweight, obesity, prediabetes, diabetes, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

The hormone GLP-1 in Wegovy is a hormone that signals fullness to the brain after a meal, she said.Are there ways to silence food noise without drugs?

Foods that are higher in protein, fat, and fiber can raise your natural levels of GLP-1, said Kumar.

Avoiding getting overly hungry and starting a meal with protein and vegetables can help as well, she said. Getting adequate sleep will keep appetite-regulating hormones stable and reduce the risk of food noise. Regular exercise, which raises natural endorphins and adrenaline can also help increase fullness.

Healthy eating is a combination of eating healthy foods and having a healthy relationship with food, said Christina Brown, MS, ACSM CPT, nutrition and weight loss coach.

While some people may not be able to quiet food noise without the use of medication, she points out that, for others, there are also effective ways that can help silence it that dont require weight loss medication.

She suggested working with a therapist to determine the reason why you are constantly thinking of food or using food for emotional purposes.

Many of us have an unhealthy relationship with food, which often causes the food noise. We need to heal that relationship in order to truly get rid of the food noise, she said. Taking a weight loss drug may help to mute the food noise, but it will not completely silence it.

Her biggest concern with weight loss drugs is that the people taking them may not make any healthy lifestyle changes, such as learning to eat healthy and exercise daily.

The other issue is that because they have not created any healthy lifestyle changes, as soon as they stop taking the weight loss drug, they will gain the weight back, and typically gain even more back than they lost, Brown said.

Taking the drug for the remainder of ones life in order to keep the weight off concerns her. She said people should question whether the side effects are worth it and if there are long-term ramifications of taking the drug.

Keeping this in mind, Beard said she isnt sure how long shell take Wegovy.

She is also leaning on lifestyle coaching provided through the Ro Body Program. Over the years, she tried weight loss plans like Weight Watchers, Medi-Weightloss, and FASTer Way to Fat Loss, as well as different workout regimes. While she found some success with all of them, she has found it challenging to keep the weight off.

After seeing her sister lose 30 pounds while taking Wegovy, she was intrigued. Her doctor also suggested the medication for weight loss and health reasons, but Beards insurance didnt approve it.

She received access to the medication through the year-long Ro Body Program, which provides her with health coaching and a weekly curriculum that includes educational information on healthy eating and exercising.

A lot I already knew because Ive tried so many different programs, but the biggest thing its helped me with is mindset, said Beard. Dont completely turn off food noise

While silencing food noise is something Beard strives for, she realizes that learning to eat when her body needs fuel is important for a healthy lifestyle.

I can see how it might be easy to not eat [on Wegovy], but I am trying to make healthy habits so I try to eat three meals a day and make real healthy choices, she said.

The greatest benefit of taking Wegovy is that she no longer feels like mindlessly snacking, and doesnt have as many cravings for unhealthy food or alcohol. When she thinks she is hungry, she has learned to question whether she really is before grabbing food.

Food can be so controlling in your lifeI have a better understanding of whats going on in my body now, she said.

After taking Wegovy for two or three weeks, she said the silencing began. However, after taking the medication for several months, she said she is learning to keep the food noise at a manageable volume.

[Its] just freeing not having to think what could we do today? Lets get ice cream, lets go out to eat. Things now are not centered around that, said Beard. If my daughter does something special, Im like what can we do that is not food related to celebrate these things? Lets get our nails done or have a movie night, so Im feeling a lot better mentally.

Sports

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers (May 11, 2025) Live Score – ESPN

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May 12, 2025

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Maple Leafs vs. Panthers (May 11, 2025) Live Score - ESPN

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US

Trump sets up week that could define his presidency

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6 mins ago

May 12, 2025

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Trump sets up week that could define his presidency

It has been an extraordinary few hours which may well set the tone for a hugely consequential week ahead.

In the time that it took me to fly from London to Saudi Arabia, where President Donald Trump will begin a pivotal Middle East tour this week, a flurry of news has emerged on a range of key global challenges.

• On the Gaza war: The Trump administration has confirmed it’s holding talks with Hamas, who say it will release a hostage amid renewed hopes of a ceasefire.

• On the Ukraine war: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is prepared to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul – this announcement came minutes after Trump urged Zelenskyy to agree to the meeting.

• On the China-US trade war: The White House says the two countries have agreed to a “trade deal”. China said the talks, in Geneva, were “candid, in-depth and constructive”.

All three of these developments represent dramatic shifts in three separate challenges and hint at the remarkable influence the US president is having globally.

This sets the ground for what could be a truly consequential week for Trump’s presidency and his ability to effect change.

With his unique style, Trump is seeking to align numerous stars as he embarks on his first foreign diplomatic trip of his second presidency.

For days, it’s been unclear how the week ahead would unfold and which global challenge would be dominant.

The Saudi government has been instrumental as a broker in the Ukraine-Russia conflict and Qatar has been a mediator in the Gaza war.

Trump will visit both countries this week.

Putin under pressure?

On Ukraine, Putin held a late-night news conference at the Kremlin on Saturday at which he made the surprise proposal of talks with Zelenskyy in Istanbul this Thursday.

But he rejected European and US calls for an immediate ceasefire.

The move was widely interpreted as a delay tactic.

Trump then issued a social media post urging Zelenskyy to accept the Russian proposal; effectively to call Putin’s bluff.

The American president wrote: “President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH. Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY. At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly! I’m starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin, who’s too busy celebrating the Victory of World War ll, which could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States of America. HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!”

Within minutes, Zelenskyy responded, agreeing to the talks.

“We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses.” Zelenskyy wrote on X.

The prospect of Putin and Zelenskyy together in Istanbul on Thursday is remarkable.

It raises the possibility that Trump would want to be there too.

Israel’s war in Gaza

On Gaza, it’s been announced that US envoy Steve Witkoff will arrive in Israel on Monday to finalise details for the release of Idan Alexander, an Israeli-American hostage being held by Hamas.

The development comes after it was confirmed that Mr Witkoff has been holding discussions with Israel, Qatar and Egypt and, through them, with Hamas.

The talks focused on a possible Gaza hostage deal and larger peace discussions for a ceasefire.

Just days ago, Israel announced a new military plan to move back into Gaza.

When do candid talks become a trade deal?

Meanwhile, officials from the United States and China have been holding talks in Geneva, Switzerland, to resolve their trade war, which was instigated by Trump’s tariffs against China.

Late on Sunday evening, the White House released a statement claiming that a trade deal had been struck.

In a written statement, titled “U.S. Announces China Trade Deal in Geneva”, treasury secretary Scott Bessent said: “I’m happy to report that we made substantial progress between the United States and China in the very important trade talks… We will be giving details tomorrow, but I can tell you that the talks were productive. We had the vice premier, two vice ministers, who were integrally involved, Ambassador Jamieson, and myself. And I spoke to President Trump, as did Ambassador Jamieson, last night, and he is fully informed of what is going on. So, there will be a complete briefing tomorrow morning.”

Beijing Global Times newspaper quoted the Chinese vice premier as saying that the talks were candid, in-depth and constructive.

However, the Chinese fell short of calling it a trade deal.

A Qatari gift

In a separate development, US media reports say that Qatar is preparing to gift Trump a Boeing 747 from its royal fleet, which he would use as a replacement for the existing and aging Air Force One plane.

The Qatari government says no deal has been finalised, but the development is already causing controversy because of the optics of accepting gifts of this value.

UK

Government to announce new English language and British citizenship requirements for migrants

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6 mins ago

May 12, 2025

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Government to announce new English language and British citizenship requirements for migrants

Migrants will have to live in the UK for a decade before they can apply for citizenship under plans to reduce reliance on foreign workers.

The change from five to 10 years will come with exceptions for people who make a “high contribution” to the economy or society, who will able to be fast-tracked for permanent settlement rights.

It comes on top of new English language requirements across every visa route, which will extend to adult dependents for the first time.

The measures will be announced by Sir Keir Starmer on Monday ahead of the Immigration White Paper, which will set out further reforms to bring net migration down.

At a press conference later, the prime minister will say: “This is a clean break from the past and will ensure settlement in this country is a privilege that must be earned, not a right.

“And when people come to our country, they should also commit to integration and to learning our language.

“Lower net migration, higher skills and backing British workers – that is what this White Paper will deliver.”

Net migration – the difference between the number of people immigrating and emigrating to a country – soared when the UK left the EU in January 2020.

It reached 903,000 in the year to June 2023 before falling to 728,000 in mid-2024. But that is still well above its pre-Brexit high of 329,000 in the year up to June 2015.

The government is under pressure to tackle legal migration, as well as illegal immigration, amid Reform UK’s surge in the polls.

However, experts have questioned whether some of the changes announced by Sir Keir today will have much of an impact, at least in the short term.

Currently, migrants have to live in the UK for five years to get indefinite leave to remain, or “settled status” if they are from the EU. They can then use this to apply for British citizenship, usually 12 months after settlement.

There were 162,000 grants of settlement in 2024, up 35% from 2023, and 270,000 grants of citizenship in 2024, up nearly a third on the previous year.

‘Contributions-based’ citizenship model

The new “contributions-based model” means people must spend a decade in the UK before applying to stay, unless they can show a “real and lasting contribution to the economy and society”.

The Home Office said this will include “high-skilled” and “high-contributing” individuals like nurses, doctors, engineers and AI leaders.

The details are still being fleshed out and will be put to consultation later this year rather than in the white paper, Sky News understands.

However, the thinking is that those who pay higher taxes or who work in a priority sector will be eligible to be fast-tracked. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is also keen for discounts to apply to those who make an “outstanding contribution” to society, such as community leaders, it is understood.

English language requirements

The government also plans to raise English language requirements across every immigration route, so foreign workers speak a higher standard of English.

For the first time, this will also extend to all adult dependents by requiring them to demonstrate a basic understanding of English, which the government says will help people integrate and find employment.

Dr Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, told Sky News that extending the amount of time people need to be in the UK to get permanent settlement rights is unlikely to significantly affect migration levels, as there is “no evidence” this affects their decision about whether to migrate.

Any impact would be seen in five to ten years, “when people get to that point of the visa journey”, she said, adding that the main effect of this policy would be to “bring in more visa-fee revenue to the Home Office” and “to make it harder for migrants to settle in”.

She said that language requirements “are more likely to have an impact on the number of visas granted”, as more than half of skilled worker visas over the past couple of years have gone to dependents.

“However, there’s no data on how many of them would have passed a language test so it is hard to say how big,” Dr Sumption added.

The home office has not put a figure on what sort of reduction these policies could achieve, with Ms Cooper to give more details in parliament on Monday afternoon.

On Sunday, she told Sky News’s Trevor Phillips that plans to close the care worker visa route and change the skilled visa threshold to require a graduate qualification would cut the number of overseas workers by about 50,000 this year.

However, she refused to put a target on the overall levels of net migration the government is aiming for, saying that approach “failed” under the Conservatives.

The Tories have admitted making mistakes in office, but are still calling for a binding immigration cap and want to repeal the Human Rights Act for immigration issues.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said Labour has “overseen the worst ever start to a year for illegal immigrants crossing the channel” adding: “The idea that Starmer is tough on immigration is a joke.”