Packing medication safely for your holiday
Mounjaro must be kept at a temperature below 30°C and protected from light. When travelling, pack it in your cabin luggage using a cool bag. Never pack your injection pens in checked luggage, as they may freeze in the hold.
If your Mounjaro is exposed to temperatures above 8°C and isn’t refrigerated, it should be used within 21 days. For most holidays, this gives you plenty of flexibility while ensuring the medication remains safe to use.
Place your medication in a clear plastic bag when going through airport security, and consider using a cool pack to maintain the right temperature during longer flights.
Documentation you’ll need
Don’t bring your original Mounjaro prescription when travelling, as this can be used to re-dispense medication at another pharmacy. Instead, request a treatment letter from your prescribing provider if needed.
Some destinations, like Australia, may require a letter from your prescriber confirming your medication and its purpose.
Check requirements for your destination, though UK airport security generally doesn’t require letters for Mounjaro.
If you’re with Second Nature, we can provide a treatment letter upon request through our clinical team for peace of mind when travelling.
Managing medication schedules across time zones
Mounjaro’s weekly injection schedule makes time zone changes easier than daily medications.
If your usual injection day falls during travel, you can adjust by up to 3 days earlier or later without affecting medication levels significantly.
For example, if you normally inject on Sundays but arrive at your destination on Friday, you can inject on Friday and continue weekly from there. Plan this adjustment before travelling rather than trying to work it out on arrival.
Navigating buffets and mealtimes
All-inclusive buffets can feel overwhelming, but there are ways to enjoy meals without waste or pressure.
Focus on Second Nature’s balanced plate model even at buffets: aim for 25% protein, 25% complex carbohydrates, and 50% vegetables. This helps you get good nutrition while limiting foods that might trigger side effects.
As you’re on holiday, there’s no need to seek perfection with your eating habits. But being mindful of our decisions and eating habits can avoid adverse side effects of the medication that often come from overeating.
Start the day with a protein-rich breakfast like scrambled eggs with vegetables or yoghurt with fruit, which helps maintain your routine and keeps you satisfied longer on Mounjaro.
Getting around buffets without stress
Use smaller plates if available, or fill only half of a regular plate. This helps manage portion sizes and reduces the visual impact of ‘wasted’ food, which can cause anxiety.
Try to limit foods that commonly trigger Mounjaro side effects during the holiday, such as fried foods, very spicy dishes, and ultra-processed options that might worsen nausea or digestive issues when you’re away from home comforts.
Take your time eating, even if others at your table finish quickly. Eating slowly helps prevent overfilling your reduced stomach capacity and reduces the risk of discomfort or nausea.
Managing meal timing
All-inclusive resorts often have specific dining times that might not align with your usual routine.
If you usually eat smaller, more frequent meals, consider using room service or healthier options at snack bars to maintain this routine.
Many resorts offer lighter options throughout the day at pool bars or café areas. These venues often offer foods like soups, salads, or grilled options that complement Mounjaro’s effects on appetite.
Managing social situations and dining pressure
Holiday dining often involves social pressure to eat more or try everything available. Prepare responses for well-meaning friends or family who might comment on your small portions.
Simple explanations work well: ‘I’m not very hungry right now’ or ‘I’m feeling comfortably full and don’t need any more, thank you’ avoid detailed medical discussions while deflecting attention from your eating patterns.
If travelling with people who don’t know about your medication, you might say you’re ‘being more mindful about portions’ or ‘focusing on quality over quantity.’ Most people accept these explanations without further questions.
Alcohol on Mounjaro
Mounjaro can increase alcohol sensitivity, making you feel the effects more quickly and intensely. If you choose to drink, start with half your usual amount and monitor how you feel.
Many people find that alcohol worsens nausea or digestive side effects while on Mounjaro.
Consider non-alcoholic alternatives or limit alcohol to special occasions rather than daily resort drinking.
Activity-focused socialising
Shift social focus from food-centred activities to experiences available at your resort.
Suggest group activities like swimming, spa treatments, excursions, or entertainment shows that don’t revolve around eating.
This approach often makes holidays more enjoyable for everyone while reducing food-focused pressure on you.
Many people appreciate suggestions for active or fun alternatives to constant buffet visits.
Getting value from your all-inclusive holiday
The ‘getting your money’s worth’ anxiety is a natural concern associated with food and all-inclusive holidays.
But consider everything on offer in the resort you’re staying in, not just the quantity of food.
Work out the cost of accommodation, activities, entertainment, drinks, and service; food often represents only 30-40% of all-inclusive pricing. You’re still getting full value through other amenities and convenience.
If you do want to indulge, do so mindfully and within your fullness levels, as eating beyond fullness is one of the main reasons people experience more Mounjaro side effects.
Making the most of resort amenities
Use spa facilities, fitness centres, water sports, and entertainment that you’ve paid for through your all-inclusive package. These activities often provide better value and holiday memories than unlimited buffet access.
Take advantage of room service, if included, to enjoy smaller, more frequent meals that better align with Mounjaro’s effects on appetite and digestion.
Maintaining nutrition quality
Even with reduced appetite, maintaining nutritional balance remains important on holiday.
Follow Second Nature’s approach by focusing on protein and vegetables at each meal, even if portions are smaller than usual.
Take home message
All-inclusive holidays while taking Mounjaro can be thoroughly enjoyable with some planning ahead and a shift in perspective on what you value your holiday for.
The key is shifting the focus from the quantity of food to the overall holiday experience while maintaining your usual habits.
Pack your medication safely, including cooling and proper documentation. Use simple methods to handle buffets and prepare responses for social dining situations.
Remember that holiday value comes from the complete experience, not just food consumption.
Most importantly, don’t let reduced appetite ruin your holiday. Many people find that focusing less on food allows them to appreciate other aspects of their experience more fully.
Second Nature’s medication programme
Second Nature provides Mounjaro as part of our Mounjaro weight-loss programme.
Why choose Second Nature over other medication providers, assuming you’re eligible?
Because peace of mind matters.
We’ve had the privilege of working with the NHS for over eight years, helping people across the UK take meaningful steps toward a healthier, happier life.
Our programmes are designed to meet people where they are, whether that means support with weight loss through compassionate one-to-one health coaching, or access to the latest weight-loss medications (like Mounjaro) delivered alongside expert care from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, dietitians, and personal trainers.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: real, lasting change comes from building better habits, not relying on quick fixes.
We’re here to support that change every step of the way.
With over a decade of experience, thousands of lives changed, and a long-standing record of delivering programmes used by the NHS, we believe we’re the UK’s most trusted weight-loss programme.
We hope to offer you something invaluable: peace of mind and the support you need to take that first step.
Please note: We generally recommend speaking with your GP/doctor before you start taking any new medication like Mounjaro. If you do sign up for Second Nature's Mounjaro programme, then we'll also send your GP a letter to let them know you've started a medication-supported weight-loss journey.
