How Ozempic is rewriting the rules of weight loss

Isabella Raso, Nutritionist & Founder of B.FIT

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and subsequently approved in Australia in 2019, GLP-1s—commonly known by the brand names Ozempic and Mounjaro—are anti‑obesity medications used for long-term weight management. 

Mimicking a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite, the medication works by suppressing the appetite by slowing down stomach emptying and sending signals of fullness to the brain, limiting appetite.  

The injectable treatment has completely changed the weight-loss treatment landscape—especially with countless celebrities and public figures speaking about how it’s transformed their bodies and their lives.

A nutritionist’s perspective

The impact of GLP-1 has been profound. Now seeping into the lifestyles of everyday people looking for a way to maintain or lose weight, there’s been explosive growth in use of the medication in Australia.

According to a 2025 study by University of NSW scientists, the total sales of GLP-1 in Australia have increased almost tenfold since May 2020. In the year to April 2025, the data shows that more than six million units were sold in Australia, with an estimated half a million Australians taking weight loss drugs every month. 

But beyond the numbers, GLP-1 has also transformed our eating habits. From Ozempic restaurant menus to meal plans, the way people eat is shifting—and in turn, it’s changing how nutrition professionals approach weight management.

When Sydney-based nutritionist and fat loss coach Isabella Raso of B.FIT first heard about Ozempic, she says she was “cautiously optimistic” but had concerns about access, side effects, and the unrealistic expectations that often come with new weight loss medications. 

As someone focused on translating nutrition science into simple, repeatable habits for women with busy lives, she admits that the new treatment sounded almost too good to be true.

However, as more evidence has emerged—including large clinical trials showing significant weight loss and cardiovascular benefits in people with overweight or obesity and heart disease—her perspective has evolved.

“I’m now pragmatically supportive when it’s prescribed appropriately and paired with professional guidance to protect overall health, muscle mass, bone density, and the long-term habits needed to maintain results,” she says.

Why nutritionists are paying attention

While conversations surrounding GLP-1 are focused on weight loss, research shows that the benefits go beyond this. Also lowering blood sugar, new research shows that it can also significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, leading to improved overall health and longevity.

It’s also changed the way nutritionists like Isabella work with clients. 

Helping her clients change their lifestyle by focusing on protein-forward, plant-rich, and habit-based nutrition, along with sustainable lifestyle changes, she believes that the introduction and popularity of GLP-1 in recent years has expanded the toolboxes of nutritionists. 

Often Isabella works with women who don’t want to give up their lifestyle but are working towards a fat loss goal. Unlike crash diets that often lead to quick weight regain, Isabella says that GLP-1s offer a more sustainable approach for certain individuals when prescribed by their health care practitioner, and paired with daily habits, education, and sustainability.

And while it can reduce intrusive cravings and make portion control easier, she emphasises that it doesn’t replace mindful eating.

“Clinical trials show that Ozempic produces the greatest and most sustainable results when combined with lifestyle changes. Medication alone isn’t a long-term solution,” says Isabella.

What OZEMPIC CAN’T REPLACE 

So, will Ozempic ever replace the benefits of eating nutritious food and daily movement when it comes to weight loss? Not quite. 

“Ozempic can help lower appetite and support weight loss, but it doesn’t replace the wide-ranging benefits of nutritious eating and regular movement,” says Isabella.

“A balanced diet and physical activity support heart health, muscle strength, bone density, and mental well-being, things medication alone can’t replicate. When prescribed, Ozempic should be used alongside healthy habits and lifestyle changes, not instead of them.”

Isabella notes that the positive side of Ozempic is that it gives people with genuine medical needs more options and helps recognise obesity as a complex, chronic condition. However, there are trade-offs—including the risk of people relying on it without building sustainable habits that will serve them long after they stop taking the medication. 

But the use of GLP-1s isn’t going anywhere. Hailed as the biggest drug boom in decades, as more and more people take drugs like Ozempic as routinely as daily vitamins, the landscape of nutrition and weight management is evolving rapidly.

“We’re moving toward integrated care. Personalised nutrition, strength training, digital habit support, and medication when appropriate,” says Isabella.

“Future research will likely focus on dose strategies, long-term maintenance, and muscle preservation nutrition while appetite is suppressed.”

While the side effects of long-term use of GLP-1s are still being studied, the drug represents the breakthrough many have been waiting for. And as the nutrition industry shifts from “clean eating” and crash diets to evidence-based, sustainable methods, for nutritionists like Isabella, sustainable health is about consistency.

“Whether you’re focusing on nutrition alone or using Ozempic as part of your journey, the real key is building habits that support healthy, sustainable results,” she says. 

“Working with a qualified coach or dietitian can make a huge difference, helping you understand how the medication works while building balanced eating habits, strength training routines, good sleep, and self-awareness. Those lifestyle foundations are what keep your results long after the medication stops.”