Traveling on Weight-Loss Medication: What I Wish I’d Known

My fork hovered over the plump heirloom tomato. It had been grown on-site at one of Punta de Mita’s most exclusive restaurants, and even as someone who doesn’t usually like tomatoes, I had to admit: It looked exceptional.

I was on the second dish of a 10-course tasting menu, and I couldn’t take another bite.

As a travel writer who used to plan entire trips around a single dish, I never imagined I’d struggle to finish a meal on vacation.

However, I was now on Wegovy and had been for over eight months. It had been described by my doctor in hopes of helping me lose weight and improve my high blood pressure.

It worked, but the GLP-1 also quieted the food noise and cravings I’d experienced for years, changed my relationship with alcohol, and ultimately transformed the way I travel.

Now, after nearly a year on a GLP-1, here are four things I wish someone had told me before I traveled on one for the first time.

Stop booking every meal in advance

Initially, it was a shock to go from planning every vacation around food to not being hungry when it’s time for dinner. Now, I still make reservations for restaurants I really want to try, but I no longer build my entire itinerary around each meal.

When I do make a reservation, I try to choose restaurants where the experience itself feels worth it. A great view, an unusual setting, or a meal I couldn’t have anywhere else can still be a trip highlight.

I’ve made peace with leaving food behind, boxing up leftovers, or ordering a few family-style appetizers instead of individual entrées.

I’d rather enjoy a few incredible bites than force myself to finish a full meal and spend the rest of the night in the bathroom.

Bring snacks with you everywhere — and don’t forget to eat them

Vacation can have a way of distracting me from the basics. Add a GLP-1 that blunts my appetite, and it’s easy to go far longer between meals than I realize.

That’s why I’ve started treating snacks as a travel essential, right alongside my passport and phone charger. Amy Davis, a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant for Live Conscious, told Business Insider that packing protein-rich snacks like jerky or roasted chickpeas, plus fiber-rich options, can help fill nutritional gaps while traveling.

Now, I always keep a protein bar in my bag. It’s saved me from more than one energy crash when I couldn’t stomach breakfast, but lunch ended up being hours later than expected.

I also wish I’d known the importance of hydration. Side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can increase the risk of dehydration while taking a GLP-1.

Kayley George, a registered dietitian and author of “The Everything Guide to GLP-1s,” said to drink extra water and pack electrolytes on travel days, especially when flying.

Now, I keep a refillable water bottle with me and stash electrolyte packets in my carry-on.

As simple as it sounds, I’ve found that drinking water and eating on a schedule — rather than just waiting until I feel hungry or thirsty — helps me enjoy the trip instead of having to recover from it.

Don’t underestimate how differently alcohol will affect you

One of the biggest surprises for me was how quickly my alcohol tolerance — and my interest in drinking — changed. I used to be able to have a couple of cocktails without thinking twice. Now, even a few sips on an empty stomach can make me sick.

I’m not the only one. People on GLP-1s “can become more sensitive to alcohol, and sugary cocktails can make them feel nauseated,” George told me.

Luckily, the mocktail movement continues to grow. The more trips I take on a GLP-1, the more I realize I don’t need alcohol to enjoy the experience.

Now, I order a Shirley Temple in a martini glass and don’t feel like I’m missing out. Waking up hangover-free (and without the hefty bar tab) is just an added perk.

Give yourself permission to travel differently

Admittedly, a great restaurant, a few cocktails, and a late night used to be my idea of a perfect getaway. It took me a while to accept that traveling on a GLP-1 meant some of my favorite vacation rituals just weren’t as appealing anymore.

Multi-course dinners could feel overwhelming, tequila shots with friends sounded less exciting than an early night, and I had to stop forcing myself to vacation the way I always had.

Once I stopped trying to recreate the vacations I used to take, I realized I had more energy for the parts of travel I’d overlooked before.

I lingered longer in museums, opted for a spa treatment instead of another cocktail, wandered neighborhoods without worrying about making a reservation, and said yes to experiences I’d probably have skipped before.

As it turns out, being on a GLP-1 might have changed the way I travel — but that doesn’t mean my vacations are any less fun.