Contrave is an oral prescription weight-loss medication designed to decrease appetite and control cravings, assisting in long-term weight management for individuals with obesity. It contains two active ingredients: bupropion (an antidepressant) and naltrexone (an opioid agonist), which work together in the brain to manage hunger and cravings. While Contrave can be a valuable tool, it is most effective when combined with lifestyle changes, including a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise. This article provides a comprehensive guide on what to eat and what to avoid while taking Contrave to maximize its effectiveness and minimize potential side effects.
The Importance of Diet with Contrave
Diet plays a major role in being overweight or obese. Contrave is not a cure for obesity but rather an adjunct treatment option alongside a healthy diet and exercise. The medication can help kickstart your weight loss journey, but developing better eating habits is crucial for maintaining weight loss naturally, potentially without the need for long-term medication.
General Dietary Recommendations
While taking Contrave, focus on consuming a diet rich in:
- Protein: Helps increase metabolism and promotes a feeling of fullness.
- Whole Grains: Provide sustained energy and fiber.
- Fiber: Aids in digestive health and promotes satiety.
- Fruits: Offer essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Vegetables: Nutrient-dense and low in calories, contributing to overall health and fullness.
- Polyunsaturated Fats: Healthy fats that support heart health.
Foods to Limit or Avoid While Taking Contrave
When taking prescription weight-loss drugs like Contrave, it’s best to avoid certain foods that can hinder your progress or increase the risk of side effects.
1. Processed Foods
Processed foods do nothing to help people lower their body weight or high BMI. Regularly eating processed foods-fast food, potato chips, pastries, and other packaged snacks-is detrimental to health. They often contain empty calories, high amounts of refined sugars and sodium, as well as endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Research links ultra-processed food consumption to a heightened risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
2. Caffeine
Bupropion, one of the active ingredients in Contrave, has the potential to cause seizures. Research shows that caffeine can also increase the risk of seizures in susceptible people. It's recommended to avoid excessive caffeine intake while on Contrave. While you can take green tea or coffee without much sugar or cream as forms of caffeine when on Contrave, it is better to avoid energy drinks as they have excessive sugar. Ensure that you avoid taking caffeine at evenings or nights, as that can affect the quality of your sleep.
3. High-Fat Meals
Contrave should never be taken with a high-fat meal, as doing so can increase the risk of seizures. Even if you take a morning dose of Contrave, it’s a good idea to avoid greasy or fatty foods for the rest of the day. Foods high in saturated fats are also detrimental to heart health and weight loss efforts.
Examples of foods to avoid or limit:
- Fried foods (e.g. French fries, onion rings)
- High-fat meats (bacon, sausage, spare ribs, meat with visible fat marbling, and chicken or turkey skin)
- Full-fat dairy (heavy cream, butter, and cheese)
- Cream-based sauces and dressings
4. Sugary Foods and Drinks
Avoid sugary foods like candy and cake, as well as sugary drinks like soda and sweetened lattes while taking Contrave. Sugar does not directly interact with this drug, but high-sugar foods and beverages introduce empty calories into your daily diet. Research also shows a link between sugar consumption and obesity or being overweight.
5. Alcohol
It’s a good idea to limit or avoid alcohol while taking Contrave due to the following potential risks:
- Reduced alcohol tolerance: Antiobesity drugs like Contrave can make a person more sensitive to alcohol.
- Increased risk of hypoglycemia: Weight-loss drugs can increase the chance of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), as can excessive alcohol consumption.
- Higher calorie consumption: Combining Contrave use with a healthy diet is essential.
6. Refined Carbohydrates
White bread, pastries, and other refined grains can contribute to blood sugar fluctuations, which may increase feelings of hunger and make it more difficult to adhere to a nutrition plan.
Read also: Walnut Keto Guide
Healthy Food Choices to Incorporate
When you set out on your weight loss journey, knowing what to eat as part of your plan can turn out to be surprisingly difficult. However, finding easy-to-find and easy-to-make healthy foods for weight loss shouldn’t be difficult.
1. Protein-Rich Foods
Consuming plenty of protein is important when it comes to both losing weight and building lean muscle. If you’re consuming more protein, you tend not to eat as many fats or carbohydrates-which could help you lose weight. Protein can help you increase your metabolism and feel fuller longer.
- Eggs: Contain protein, good fat, and a wide range of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B12 and D.
- Lean Protein Sources: Skinless chicken breast, turkey, fish, tofu, legumes - supports satiety and stabilizes energy.
- Greek yogurt: Contains more protein than typical yogurt to help keep you fuller longer.
- Cherry tomatoes and mozzarella: Mozzarella cheese has a lot of protein, and cherry tomatoes have plenty of vitamins and minerals.
2. Vegetables
Vegetables come in so many shapes, sizes, and varieties that you’re bound to find some you enjoy! Each type of vegetable packs a nutritional punch. Leafy greens like kale and spinach are packed with fiber and other nutrients. Vegetables tend to be very low in calories, which means that you can eat a lot of them without gaining weight. Furthermore, many vegetables have a tremendous amount of fiber. This can help you feel full and reduce the urge to fill up on unhealthy snacks.
- Leafy Greens: Kale and spinach are packed with fiber and other nutrients.
- Cauliflower: Will take on the flavors you pair with it.
- Zucchini sticks: Dip some zucchini sticks in hummus, yogurt, and other dips for a heathy afternoon snack.
- Carrot sticks: Carrots make for a snack that is very high in fiber, with a single cup having approximately 3.5 grams of fiber.
3. Fruits
Often self-contained, fruit are nutrient-dense foods, containing a lot of vitamins, minerals, and fiber in a relatively small, easy-to-carry package. As a weight loss snack, fruit does not contain many calories.
- Apple slices: Apples are an easy snack to select.
- Mixed berries: Mixed berries are a good source of antioxidants and can have a positive impact on your heart health.
- Bananas: Bananas are high in a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.
4. Healthy Fats
Some types of fats, called unsaturated fats, are good for you.
Read also: Weight Loss with Low-FODMAP
- Avocados: Healthy fats that come from avocados.
- Nuts and seeds: Nuts and seeds are good sources of both fiber and healthy fats.
- Salmon: Contains protein and good fat, including omega-3 fatty acids.
5. High-Fiber Foods
High-Fiber Foods: Vegetables, legumes, whole grains - promotes digestive health and fullness.
- Legumes: Consist of foods like beans, peas, and lentils. Legumes are a good source of protein and healthy fats.
- Oatmeal: A healthy whole grain that offers the comfort of a home-cooked breakfast with the nutritional benefit of fiber.
6. Nuts and Seeds
If you are trying to lose weight, it’s time to embrace nuts and seeds. They are a great source of minerals, vitamins, healthy fibers, healthy fats, and proteins. However, nuts are high in calories so they should be eaten in moderation. Overall, incorporating nuts into your diet can improve health outcomes and fortify your diet.
*Consider almonds, pine nuts, cashews, and pistachios.*For a sweet treat with less sugar, indulge in almonds coated in dark chocolate.
Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Weight Loss
If you’re embarking on a long-term weight loss journey, it’s essential to find healthy morning meals to start each day off with success. By eating balanced meals that leave you feeling fuller for longer, you can provide your body with the nutrients it needs.
Breakfast Burritos
Breakfast burritos offer a savory, satisfying, and potentially spicy start to your day. To make a breakfast burrito, fill a whole wheat or other low carb tortilla with any combination of vegetables, meat, eggs, and low-fat cheese.
Veggie Scramble
Get those daily veggie servings in early with a morning veggie scramble! Simply select, dice, and sauté your favorite vegetables before pouring into scrambled eggs, egg whites, or egg replacement.
Avocado Toast
Avocado toast is a delicious, nutritious, and filling breakfast-and best of all, it’s incredibly easy to make. First, mash a ripe avocado and add sea salt and pepper to taste. Toast a slice of whole grain bread and top with the mashed avocado.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a healthy whole grain that offers the comfort of a home-cooked breakfast with the nutritional benefit of fiber. To sweeten up your oatmeal naturally, consider adding zero-calorie stevia or fruit like blueberries, strawberries, or bananas.
Protein Pancakes
Protein pancakes are a quick, easy, and indulgent substitute for the classic breakfast dish. You can either buy a box of pre-made, high-protein pancake mix or make your own by referencing online recipes.
Smoked Salmon Benedict
Pair poached eggs, pre-bought or frozen smoked salmon, and hollandaise sauce for a fine morning meal of smoked salmon benedict. Skip the English muffin to cut back on simple carbs.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Prepare hard-boiled eggs in advance and grab a couple on your way out the door.
Tofu Scramble
Make high protein, low cholesterol scrambled eggs without any animal products. Roughly chop a block of extra-firm tofu and sauté in a little olive oil. Add some garlic and onion powder for flavor and some turmeric for the bright yellow color-plus, stir in anything you’d add to your typical eggs.
Healthy Snack Ideas for Weight Loss
If you’re a snacker or grazer, there are plenty of healthy snacks for weight loss that can help keep you full between meals.
Fruits
Think of fruit as like nature’s snack.
- Apple slices: Apples are an easy snack to select.
- Mixed berries: Mixed berries are another great snack for weight loss diets.
- Bananas: Bananas are another great healthy snacking option.
Vegetables
Vegetables also make great weight loss snacks for many of the same reasons that fruits do.
- Cauliflower: A classic option is dipping it in hummus, but cauliflower can also be cooked with buffalo sauce for a great party snack.
- Zucchini sticks: Dip some zucchini sticks in hummus, yogurt, and other dips for a heathy afternoon snack.
- Carrot sticks: This versatile snack can go well with hummus, and often comes pre-packaged at grocery stores.
Nuts and Seeds
You might want to make a homemade bag of mixed nuts of your favorites. Consider almonds, pine nuts, cashews, and pistachios.
- Dark chocolate almonds: For a sweet treat with less sugar, indulge in almonds coated in dark chocolate.
- Nuts and Greek yogurt: Add some nuts to Greek yogurt.
Whole Grains
Be sure to focus on healthier whole grains. High-fiber whole grains can give your metabolism a boost without the sugar crash from refined sugars.
- Whole grain crackers and cheese: Add some cheese such as feta, ricotta, or mozzarella on top for a charcuterie-inspired weight loss snack.
- Oatmeal: A great snack that you can enjoy with fruit, nuts, and plenty of other toppings.
- Whole grain crackers with hummus: Hummus spreads on crackers just as deliciously as it pairs with vegetables.
Protein-Rich Snacks
- Cherry tomatoes and mozzarella: Drizzle this mixture with balsamic vinaigrette.
- Chia seeds: Add chia seeds to protein shakes and smoothies.
- Eggs: Some forms are great for snacking, too.
Additional Tips for Successful Weight Loss with Contrave
- Mindful Eating: By paying more attention to the foods you are putting in your body, you are becoming a more mindful eater.
- Stay Hydrated: Because of the way our brain works, your body can think you are hungry when you really just need some water. If you keep yourself hydrated, you may find yourself consuming fewer calories.
- Avoid Mindless Snacking: If you’re snacking, focus on what you’re eating by sitting down somewhere quiet and enjoying your meal.
- Plan Ahead: Once you know more about your eating habits, you can work to overcome unhealthy ones. For instance, you may need to plan on making a healthy lunch the night before, so you don't have to order fast food at work. If you're used to grabbing an afternoon snack, bring a banana (or another easy-to-carry fruit) instead.
- Set Realistic Goals: Setting realistic weight loss goals is a necessary part of any journey by helping you hold yourself accountable and allowing you to track your progress.
- Regular Exercise: The best way to lose weight and burn fat is through a healthy diet paired with regular exercise.
Setting SMART Weight Loss Goals
Looking for a standardized way to set weight loss goals? Look no further than the SMART goal-setting technique. S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. Outline why you want to lose weight. It will take hard work and sacrifice to shed pounds. Measure your body mass index (BMI). Decide what type of weight loss goals you want to set. What kind of weight loss are you looking for? Do you want to count calories to ensure you're losing inches around your waist while sticking to a healthy diet? Alternatively, do you want to build muscle while shedding unwanted fat?
Potential Side Effects of Contrave
Like many weight loss drugs, Contrave can cause gastrointestinal side effects. The most common GI-related side effects caused by Contrave are nausea and constipation. Nausea is the most common adverse reaction to Contrave, occurring in about 33% of clinical trial participants. In contrast, 19% of users reported constipation, and about 11% experienced vomiting. Contrave’s suppression of appetite can contribute to constipation if individuals start drinking less water because they feel full so quickly.
The risk of side effects, including serious side effects, varies depending on dosage, other health conditions, and drug interactions with other medications.
Serious side effects may include:
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
- Seizures
- Risk of opioid overdose
- Sudden opioid withdrawal
- Severe allergic reactions
- Increases in blood pressure or heart rate
- Liver damage or hepatitis
- Manic episodes
- Visual problems (angle-closure glaucoma)
- Increased risk of low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Talk to your doctor if you have any side effects on the medication, as with any other medication. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Who Should Not Take Contrave
Finally, Contrave is not right for everyone. Breastfeeding mothers and those with a history of eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia) should not take Contrave.
Addressing Common Questions About Contrave
- Should I Take Contrave on an Empty Stomach? You can take Contrave at any time, with or without food, though, the medication works best when you have had some nutritious food. Its effectiveness increases with a balanced diet. When you start taking two tablets a day, it is best to pair them with breakfast and dinner.
- Why is Contrave Not Working? Contrave may not work for you if you don’t pair it with a nutritious diet, plenty of water, consistent exercise, or a proper sleep schedule. The drug may not work effectively if you have a medical condition that makes it difficult to lose weight, or if you consume alcohol regularly, or if you binge eat. You must also understand that it is a long-term process, and not enough time may have passed to observe the difference Contrave has made.
- How Can I Manage Side Effects of Contrave? Side effects are usually temporary and disappear after a week or two. You can manage them using over-the-counter medicines. If they remain persistent or if you notice any serious side effect, seek professional medical help immediately.
- What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose? Try sticking to your prescribed dosage and schedule. If you do miss a dose, it is alright. Just skip that dose and take your next dose on time. Do not take extra dose to make up for the missed one, there could be side effects.
- How Long Does It Take for Contrave to Work? People usually start noticing weight loss within 4 weeks of taking Contrave, but report most weight loss after months of starting it. The effectiveness of Contrave depends on several factors like your individual lifestyle, medical history, diet, exercise regime, etc.
- How Does Contrave Interact with Other Medications? Drug-to-drug interactions are to be noted when you are on Contrave. There are some drugs that you can consume without any side effects, while with some you need to exercise precaution. Some drugs, when taken with Contrave, can have side effects.
- Are There Any Specific Foods That Can Enhance Contrave's Effectiveness? All low-calorie foods support the drug. Leafy greens, vegetables, eggs, fresh fruits, etc. all help your body lose weight quicker along with Contrave.
- Can I Take Vitamins or Supplements with Contrave? Try to eat fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables for vitamins that your body requires. Contrave may have drug-to-drug interference with some of the supplements, so make sure to talk to your doctor before taking any.
Intermittent Fasting and Contrave
More and more people are trading their traditional diets for intermittent fasting to reach their health and weight loss goals.
Fasting refers to going purposeful lengths of time without food. Unlike a full fast, intermittent fasting is-like the name suggests-sporadic and controlled. Intermittent fasting is a type of eating that encourages people to wait a specific number of hours between meals. The primary goal of intermittent fasting is to use an eating schedule to cut down on caloric intake so that you can lose weight.
There is no intermittent fasting plan that works for everyone. There is no plan that is guaranteed to work, nor will everyone necessarily get the same results. Intermittent fasting can be done within a 24-hour timeframe or be split up by day. For example, one method of fasting is fasting for a 12-hour period and then eating for a 12-hour period. Since most adults sleep around seven hours per night, they would only have to wait five more hours after waking up (or fast five hours before bed) to make this kind of fasting possible.
However, a strict intermittent fasting eating schedule like you see online may also not be the best fit for you if you’ve been prescribed medication that is recommended to be taken with food. The fasting periods can be too long in between the scheduled doses of your medication. If you take a medication that requires food or have another medical limitation that would make strict intermittent fasting, talk to your healthcare provider before starting any type of intermittent fasting or similar eating plan. Work with them to develop a plan that takes your medication schedule and lifestyle into consideration.