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  • What to Eat at Social Events While Taking GLP-1 Medications Erin Palinski-Wade · RD · CDCES · CPT
    Social events can feel a little different when you’re on a GLP-1 medication, and that’s completely normal. These medications are designed to reduce appetite and increase fullness, and they also slow gastric emptying (4). Because of that, large portions, rich foods, or fast-paced meals may not feel as comfortable as they once did. “Nausea, early fullness, and naturally eating less can make things like weddings, holidays, dinners out, and office parties feel a bit more complicated than they used
     

What to Eat at Social Events While Taking GLP-1 Medications

4 June 2026 at 13:00
Family BBQ

Social events can feel a little different when you’re on a GLP-1 medication, and that’s completely normal. These medications are designed to reduce appetite and increase fullness, and they also slow gastric emptying (4). Because of that, large portions, rich foods, or fast-paced meals may not feel as comfortable as they once did. “Nausea, early fullness, and naturally eating less can make things like weddings, holidays, dinners out, and office parties feel a bit more complicated than they used to,” explains MyFitnessPal Dietitian Katherine Basbaum.

There’s also the social side of it. It can feel awkward when someone notices what’s on your plate, asks why you’re skipping seconds, or comments on how little you’re eating. That pressure is real, even when your goal is simply to feel your best and stay consistent with your nutrition.

On a GLP-1 journey?

MyFitnessPal helps you make the most of your GLP-1 by staying on top of your nutrition.

The good news is that being on a GLP-1 doesn’t mean missing out on celebrations or avoiding the foods you enjoy. It just means approaching them a little more intentionally. With a few simple strategies, you can still enjoy all your favorite social events while making choices that align with your appetite, your comfort, and your goals.

The Challenges of Social Events on GLP-1s

While taking a GLP-1 medication can be a wonderful tool in supporting both blood sugar and weight management, it can complicate social eating. There are many challenges to social events on GLP-1s such as feeling satisfied well before everyone else at a party or wedding or not being as interested in keeping pace with the meal. And that disconnect can sometimes feel a little isolating (3). 

There’s also the social dynamic to navigate. When food is a big part of how people show care and hospitality, saying “no” can bring up guilt or make you worry about seeming ungrateful. You may worry you will experience ‘Ozempic shaming’ from those who know why your eating habits have changed. You may even feel pressure to eat more than you want just to avoid questions or attention. That tension is very real, especially when social norms equate finishing your plate with being polite (1). 

Alcohol can add another layer. In many social settings, drinking may be expected or encouraged, but GLP-1 medications may reduce alcohol cravings and may also make it feel less appealing or less tolerated (2). Because these medications can already come with nausea and appetite suppression, drinking, especially on an empty stomach, may make GI symptoms worse and increase the effects of alcohol.  And on top of that, many event menus lean toward richer, fried, or oversized portions, which may worsen GLP-1 side effects (2, 5). 

If you’ve experienced any of this, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It’s simply part of the adjustment that can happen when social eating meets a medication that shifts appetite, fullness, and how you experience food (3). 

What to Eat at Social Events on GLP-1

Although semaglutide social anxiety can be a real thing (8), it doesn’t mean you have to stay home. With a little planning, you can enjoy social events while still feeling your best and working towards your health goals. 

Start with protein first.
Look for options like grilled chicken, turkey, fish, shrimp, eggs, tofu, Greek yogurt, or lean beef. “Meeting your daily protein goals can be a challenge on a GLP-1, so building your plate around high-quality protein can help you to reach your goals while also keeping appetite and blood sugar steady (6, 9),” explains Basbaum. 

Add fiber to round out your plate. 
Fill the remainder of your plate with fiber-rich options such as vegetables, salads, beans, lentils, fruit, or whole grains when they’re available. Getting enough fiber is essential on a GLP-1 to help prevent side effects like constipation while promoting balanced blood sugar levels for optimal energy and appetite regulation (5). 

Be mindful of heavier foods.
Fried, creamy, or very rich dishes can feel harder to tolerate when digestion is slower. You don’t have to avoid them completely, but keeping portions small can help reduce nausea, bloating, or discomfort (5). 

Watch sugary drinks and alcohol.
Sweet drinks and cocktails can add a lot of sugar without much staying power. If you choose to drink alcohol on a GLP-1, go slowly and pay attention to how your body responds. Many people on GLP-1s notice alcohol hits a bit faster or feels stronger (2). 

Stay hydrated.
Sip water before, during, and after the event, especially if the food is salty or you’re having alcohol. Staying hydrated supports digestion, boosts overall energy, and can help minimize side effects from a GLP-1 (5).  

Track your progress
When you track your food intake, medications, and side-effects all in one place, you may unlock a better understanding of how your daily choices impact your body. And MyFitnessPal makes it so easy to do with our GLP-1 Support feature. You can even use Voice Logging to quickly track food at events and pre-log meals when possible to make it even easier to truly understand how your food intake, behaviors, and medication impact your mood, energy, and overall health.

Tips for Eating at Social Occasions on a GLP-1

Social events don’t just challenge what you eat, they can also challenge how you feel about eating. When you’re on a GLP-1 for weight loss, having a simple plan going in can help you stay confident, comfortable, and fully present without overthinking every choice. 

Choose smaller portions.
Start with less than you think you “should” and give yourself permission to go back if you’re still hungry. “GLP-1s reduce appetite and slow digestion, so smaller portions often feel more comfortable and more aligned with what your body actually needs (6). This also helps you stay present at the event without pushing past the point of comfort,” explains Basbaum. 

Eat slowly and check in with your fullness.
Take a few bites, pause, and let your body catch up. Because GLP-1 medications change how quickly you feel satisfied, slowing down can help you recognize fullness before you accidentally overeat. It also makes it easier to avoid eating just because food is in front of you or because everyone around you is still eating (7). 

Have a plan for social pressure.
You don’t owe anyone an explanation for how you’re eating. It’s completely okay to take smaller portions, skip foods, or pass on seconds without justifying it. If someone comments, keep it simple and confident by saying something along the lines of “I’m just pacing myself,” or “I feel better eating lighter right now (1).” 

If people keep offering more, a quick redirect works well: “That looks amazing, but I’m good for now,” or “I’m saving room for later.” Then shift the focus back to the conversation, the people, and the moment. That’s what you’re really there for, and it takes the pressure off the food conversation as well.

Navigate Buffet-Style Dining With Intention
Buffets can feel a little overwhelming on a GLP-1, but a small amount of planning can go a long way.  Take a quick scan of the buffet offerings before you build your plate so you can decide what’s actually worth it to you. Starting with lean protein and adding some produce can help create a more balanced meal. And if it feels like the buffet is lacking in ‘ideal’ options, just build your plate using the most balanced combination available, it doesn’t need to be perfect. And remember, don’t try to ‘save calories’ by undereating earlier in the day. This can backfire by causing you to overeat and feel nauseated, overly full, or uncomfortable once you start eating.

Managing GLP-1 Side Effects at Social Events

GLP-1 side effects can show up more during social events, but there are a few strategies that can help to minimize this. Common GI side effects like nausea, vomiting, bloating, and constipation  can be more noticeable with larger or richer meals, which is why eating slowly, choosing smaller portions, and balancing your plate with fiber and protein at events can be helpful (5). 

Focus on being mindful when you eat, so you can catch symptoms early and make small adjustments. That might mean pausing, stepping away for a few minutes, skipping alcohol, or switching to lighter options. Staying comfortable helps you stay present so you can enjoy the event (5). 

Bottom Line

When it comes to social eating on a GLP-1, asking yourself, “How do I want to feel?” instead of “What should I eat?” can be the best strategy in allowing you to enjoy the event in the most confident way possible. Remember, you don’t need to feel restricted to stay on track. One event won’t derail your progress, and eating less than others isn’t rude, strange, or something you need to explain.

GLP-1 medications may change your appetite, but they don’t take away your ability to enjoy celebrations, connect with people, or fully be part of the experience. The goal isn’t to eat perfectly, but to enjoy social events in a way where you feel comfortable and confident so you can focus on what really matters.

The post What to Eat at Social Events While Taking GLP-1 Medications appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.

“We wish Fred a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back at the…

6 June 2026 at 15:58
“We wish Fred a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back at the track soon,” said Ferrari in a statement

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  • ✇Eos
  • What Makes Mars’s Magnetotail Flap? Sarah Stanley
    Source: AGU Advances The Sun continuously blasts charged, magnetic field–carrying particles, or plasma, in all directions. This solar wind interacts with the magnetic fields and atmospheres of several of our solar system’s planets and other bodies, sculpting long magnetic tails of charged particles—magnetotails—that stretch into space behind them. Magnetotails contain thin layers of electric current–carrying plasma sheets, which sometimes “flap” in an up-and-down waving motion. Spacecraft
     

What Makes Mars’s Magnetotail Flap?

20 April 2026 at 13:08
A large, round, glowing yellow shape is shown at right (the Sun), and a smaller, reddish-brown sphere is at left (Mars). Pale yellow streaks and thicker curving white lines radiate from the Sun in all directions. Mars appears to disrupt the flow of the pale yellow streaks, which deflect around it like water flowing around a pebble in a stream.
Source: AGU Advances

The Sun continuously blasts charged, magnetic field–carrying particles, or plasma, in all directions. This solar wind interacts with the magnetic fields and atmospheres of several of our solar system’s planets and other bodies, sculpting long magnetic tails of charged particles—magnetotails—that stretch into space behind them.

Magnetotails contain thin layers of electric current–carrying plasma sheets, which sometimes “flap” in an up-and-down waving motion. Spacecraft observations have revealed that flapping in Earth’s magnetotail can be driven by a process called magnetic reconnection, in which magnetic field lines rapidly break and then snap together in a new configuration, releasing stored energy. However, whether reconnection plays this same role beyond Earth has thus far been a mystery.

Wen et al. report the first evidence that magnetic reconnection may also trigger magnetotail flapping at Mars.

Unlike Earth, Mars lost its global magnetic field billions of years ago. But it still sports a magnetotail, thanks in large part to interactions between the solar wind and charged particles in its upper atmosphere. Strong magnetic fields embedded in certain patches of the Martian crust—remnants of its lost planet-wide field—also influence the magnetotail.

Until recently, Mars’s magnetotail could only be studied using observations from NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft. MAVEN showed that the Martian magnetotail is highly dynamic, with a structure that twists, shifts, and flaps—and from which charged particles may escape into space. But because MAVEN can observe only one part of the magnetotail at a time, it couldn’t identify what processes might trigger flapping.

Another spacecraft, China’s Tianwen-1 orbiter, has now provided a second set of eyes. The researchers analyzed simultaneous observations from the two spacecraft, finding that signatures of magnetic reconnection detected by MAVEN in the upstream part of the magnetotail tended to coincide with flapping events detected downstream by Tianwen-1.

Before or during flapping, the spacecraft also detected temporary, twisted plasma structures known as flux ropes. A similar link has previously been observed on Earth, and it suggests that flux ropes generated by magnetic reconnection upstream might propagate downstream, driving instabilities in the magnetotail’s plasma sheets and triggering flapping.

Though more research is needed to confirm these findings, they shed new light on how energy moves and is released in space around Mars—and possibly other planets and celestial objects. (AGU Advances, https://doi.org/10.1029/2026AV002343, 2026)

—Sarah Stanley, Science Writer

A photo of a telescope array appears in a circle over a field of blue along with the Eos logo and the following text: Support Eos’s mission to broadly share science news and research. Below the text is a darker blue button that reads “donate today.”
Citation: Stanley, S. (2026), What makes Mars’s magnetotail flap?, Eos, 107, https://doi.org/10.1029/2026EO260123. Published on 20 April 2026.
Text © 2026. AGU. CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
Except where otherwise noted, images are subject to copyright. Any reuse without express permission from the copyright owner is prohibited.
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