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Why am I still hungry on Wegovy?

Robbie Puddick (RNutr)
Written by

Robbie Puddick (RNutr)

Content and SEO Lead

Medically reviewed by

Dr Rachel Hall (MBCHB)

Principal Doctor

10 min read
Last updated August 2025
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Jump to: Wegovy expectations | When will I feel less hungry? | Food changes that help | Managing emotional hunger | What if I overeat? | Getting better results | Frequently asked questions | Take home message

Many people still feel hungry during their first few weeks on Wegovy. Clinical trials show that hunger reduction typically happens gradually, with more noticeable effects at higher doses. This variation in response is completely normal and doesn’t mean the medication isn’t working for you.

Wegovy (semaglutide) works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone that signals fullness to your brain. However, everyone responds differently, and several factors affect how quickly you’ll notice changes in your hunger levels.

Here are the main reasons you might still feel hungry on Wegovy:

  • Your body needs time to adjust to Wegovy (4-8 weeks to reach stable levels)
  • Starting doses are intentionally low to reduce side effects
  • Highly processed foods can override Wegovy’s hunger-lowering effects
  • Emotional eating patterns may continue despite the medication
  • Sleep and activity levels affect how hungry you feel

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What to realistically expect from Wegovy

Unlike some medications that work instantly, Wegovy builds up in your system gradually. The dosing schedule starts with a very low dose (0.25mg) and increases slowly to reduce side effects.

Many people don’t experience the full hunger-lowering benefits until reaching higher doses, or until they’ve been on the medication for at least 4-8 weeks.

What you’re experiencing Expected impact of Wegovy When to seek further support
Hunger levels Slowly decreases over 4-8 weeks No change after 3 months on higher doses
Weight loss 5-8% in first 2 months Less than 2% after 3 months
Side effects Mild gut-related side effects like nausea or constipation Severe digestive problems, significant discomfort
Eating habits Smaller portions, lower food cravings and ‘food noise’ No change in eating behaviour
Energy levels Steady or improved as weight loss is achieved and blood sugar levels decrease Feeling very tired or weak

When will I feel less hungry on Wegovy?

Our first recommendation is simple: be patient. Semaglutide (the drug in Wegovy) is a long-acting medication that starts at a lower dose to minimise side effects as it builds up to the full maintenance dose.

Typical Wegovy timeline:

  • Weeks 1-4 (0.25mg): Starting dose – hunger will decrease but may effects may wear off after 4-5 days post injection
  • Weeks 5-8 (0.5mg): First increase – hunger should feel more consistently lower, but effects may still wear off close to your next injection
  • Weeks 9-12 (1.0mg): Second increase – hunger lowering effect should be stronger at this stage, and the drug should have reached it’s ‘steady state’ and have a more stable effect
  • Weeks 13-16 (1.7mg): Third increase – significantly lower hunger and food cravings without dips in hunger levels between injections
  • Weeks 17+ (2.4mg): Maintenance dose – stable hunger levels with low food cravings

Based on clinical trial data, you can expect to lose up to 5% of your weight in the first month on Wegovy and up to 8% after two months.

Interestingly, this initial weight loss is similar to other weight loss approaches. The real advantage of Wegovy becomes apparent after 3+ months, when the drug reaches more stable levels in our blood and we maintain more consistent eating habits.

Key points:

  • Wegovy can take 4-8 weeks to reach stable levels in your body
  • Most people notice significant hunger changes at doses of 1.0mg and above
  • The strongest hunger-lowering effects typically happen at the 2.4mg dose
  • Early weight loss is similar to other methods; Wegovy’s advantage becomes clearer after 3+ months

Food changes that help while on Wegovy

What you eat significantly affects how hungry you feel, even while taking Wegovy. Highly processed foods are digested quickly and can override the medication’s hunger-lowering effects.

Research shows that ultra-processed foods don’t lead to the same feeling of fullness compared to whole foods. This means that we can a large meal of ultra-processed foods but still feel hunger after. This is why we recommend focusing on whole foods while taking Wegovy.

Firstly, we recommend following our balanced plate model as a foundation of your diet while on Wegovy.

The balanced plate model recommends meals contain 25% complex carbohydrates, 25% protein, 50% non-starchy vegetables, with at least one serving of fat.

An image showing a balanced plate contain carbohydrates, protein, fat, and vegetables to ensure weight loss success while on Wegovy or Mounjaro.

Foods that help reduce hunger on Wegovy:

  • High-quality protein sources: Fish, meat, eggs, tofu, tempeh, yoghurt, cheese, and seafood
  • Fat from whole foods: Meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, seeds, avocado, and extra virgin olive oil
  • High-fibre complex carbohydrates: Whole grains like quinoa and brown rice, sweet potato, white potatoes, pumpkin, legumes like lentils, chickpeas, beans
  • Fruits and vegetables: Variety is key for both nutrition and satisfaction
  • Water: Sometimes thirst signals can be confused with hunger

A picture summarising the list of foods we'd recommend people eating when they're on Wegovy or Mounjaro for weight loss.

Foods to limit while on Wegovy:

  • Ultra-processed foods: Most boxed cereals, supermarket bread and pastries, fast food, microwave meals, oven pizza, crisps, biscuits, fizzy drinks
  • Added sugar: Particularly from soft drinks
  • Refined carbohydrates: White pasta, white rice, and instant oats
  • Refined vegetable oils: Sunflower and generic vegetable oils

A picture showing a list of foods that we don't recommend people eating when they're on Wegovy or Mounjaro.

We recommend eating three balanced meals daily and including protein-rich snacks if needed. Consistent meal patterns help regulate hormone levels and maintain steady energy.

Key points:

  • Ultra-processed foods digest quickly and may increase hunger, even on Wegovy
  • Whole foods help to keep us feeling fuller for longer, supporting the effects of Wegovy
  • Protein, fat, and fibre from whole foods are especially important for managing hunger
  • Consistent meal patterns help stabilise hunger signals

Managing emotional hunger on Wegovy

How we’re feeling significantly influences our eating habits. Many people experience hunger or cravings when stressed, lonely, or sad; this is more commonly referred to as emotional eating.

While Wegovy can reduce physical hunger, it may not completely eliminate emotionally-driven eating patterns that you’ve developed over time.

Here are two approaches to move beyond emotional eating:

1. Practice acceptance

Challenging emotions are a normal part of life. When we accept them rather than trying to immediately “fix” them with food, we can develop healthier responses. Remember that feelings are temporary and will pass without needing food to manage them.

2. Find alternative ways to soothe emotions

Develop “substitutions” that comfort you without involving food:

  • Take a 5-minute walk
  • Make a cup of herbal tea
  • Call or text a friend
  • Practice deep breathing for 2 minutes
  • Write down what you’re feeling

“Wegovy helps with physical hunger and can reduce food noise (constant thoughts about food), but emotional eating requires different tools.

Many of our members find that simply pausing for 5 minutes when they feel the urge to eat emotionally makes a huge difference.

This brief pause often reveals what they really need, and it’s not always food. It’s essential to use the time on the medication to find other ways to manage our challenging emotions, and our programme is designed to do just that.”

– Dr Becky Richard, Second Nature Psychologist

Key points:

  • Emotional eating patterns may continue despite Wegovy’s effects
  • Food provides comfort by lowering the intensity of difficult emotions
  • Finding alternative ways to manage emotions improves Wegovy’s effectiveness
  • Developing new coping strategies takes practice but becomes easier over time

 

What happens if I overeat while on Wegovy?

Overeating while taking Wegovy can feel quite different than before. Because the medication slows digestion, eating too much may cause more discomfort than you’re used to.

What to expect if you overeat:

  • Increased fullness: You may feel uncomfortably full for longer than usual
  • Nausea: Some people experience increased nausea after overeating
  • Bloating: The slower digestion can increase feelings of bloating
  • Heartburn: Some people report more acid reflux when overeating on Wegovy

What to do if you’ve overeaten:

  • Don’t panic or feel guilty, occasional overeating happens to everyone
  • Stay hydrated with water (avoid carbonated drinks which can increase bloating)
  • Consider a gentle walk to help with digestion
  • Return to your normal eating pattern at the next meal
  • Use it as a learning experience about your new fullness signals and adapt your portion size for next time

If you find yourself regularly overeating despite physical discomfort, it may be worth exploring the emotional aspects of your eating patterns.

Key points:

  • Overeating on Wegovy often causes more discomfort due to slower digestion
  • Occasional overeating won’t harm your progress or the medication’s effectiveness
  • Learning from these experiences helps adjust to new hunger signals
  • Persistent overeating might indicate the need to address emotional eating

How to get better results on Wegovy

While being patient with Wegovy is important, there are several ways to optimise your results and potentially speed up your progress.

Simple movement ideas:

Formal exercise isn’t necessary to see results with Wegovy, but movement enhances our mood, improves our sleep, and can improve hunger and fullness signals to the brain.

Try these top tips from our nutritionists:

  • Take a 10-minute walk after meals
  • Try exercise snacking and do push ups or calf raises while the kettle boils
  • Choose the stairs when possible
  • Park further from entrances
  • Dance to a favourite song daily

Optimise your sleep:

Poor sleep directly increases hunger hormones and can counteract Wegovy’s effects.

  • Aim for 7-9 hours nightly
  • Keep a consistent sleep schedule
  • Avoid screens 30-60 minutes before bed
  • Keep your bedroom cool and dark
  • Limit caffeine after midday

Meal timing strategies:

  • Take your Wegovy injection on the same day each week
  • Eat 3 balanced meals a day at consistent times
  • Consider eating your largest meal earlier in the day
  • Allow 3-4 hours between your last meal and bedtime
  • Stay hydrated throughout the day
  • Eat protein-rich snacks in between meals if needed

Stress management techniques:

  • Practice deep breathing for 5 minutes daily
  • Try progressive muscle relaxation before bed
  • Spend time outdoors in nature as much as possible
  • Connect with supportive friends and family
  • Consider a mindfulness app or practice

Key points:

  • Movement boosts Wegovy’s effectiveness even without formal exercise
  • Sleep quality significantly impacts hunger hormones
  • Consistent meal timing helps regulate appetite
  • Managing stress improves both weight loss and overall wellbeing

Frequently asked questions

Why is semaglutide not curbing my appetite?
In the early weeks and at lower doses, semaglutide may not fully suppress appetite. It takes 4-8 weeks to reach stable levels in your body, and hunger reduction typically becomes more noticeable at doses of 1.0mg and above.

If you’ve been at higher doses for more than 8 weeks without any change in hunger, consult your healthcare provider.

How long does it take for Wegovy to make you less hungry?
Most people begin noticing hunger changes between weeks 4-8, with significant appetite reduction at weeks 8-12. The full effect on hunger typically occurs at the 2.4mg dose around weeks 13-16. Individual responses vary considerably.

What happens if you overeat while on Wegovy?
Overeating on Wegovy often causes more discomfort than usual due to slower digestion. You may experience extended fullness, nausea, bloating, or heartburn.

Occasional overeating won’t harm your progress, just return to normal eating at your next meal.

Why am I losing weight so slowly on Wegovy?
Early weight loss (first 3 months) on Wegovy varies greatly between individuals. Clinical trials show average weight loss of 5% at 1 month and 8% at 2 months, but your results may differ.

Factors affecting speed include starting weight, diet quality, activity level, sleep, stress, and genetics. If you’ve lost less than 2% after 3 months at higher doses, consult your healthcare provider.

Why is Wegovy not working on me?
If you’re not seeing results after 3+ months on Wegovy, consider: medication absorption issues, diet high in ultra-processed foods, untreated sleep problems, high stress levels, or medical conditions affecting weight.

Your healthcare provider can help determine if adjustments are needed.

How to speed up weight loss while on Wegovy?
To potentially enhance results: focus on whole foods rich in protein and fibre, incorporate daily movement (even light activity helps), optimise sleep quality, manage stress effectively, stay well-hydrated, and establish consistent meal patterns.

Does Wegovy work if you don’t exercise?
Yes, Wegovy works without formal exercise. Clinical trials showed significant weight loss in participants regardless of exercise levels.

However, adding even light movement can improve results and provide additional health benefits beyond weight loss.

When do you lose the most weight on Wegovy?
The most rapid weight loss typically occurs between months 3-6 when reaching the higher doses (1.7mg-2.4mg). Weight loss usually continues more gradually for up to 18 months. The average participant in clinical trials lost 15% of their starting weight after 68 weeks.

Take home message

Despite being an effective medication for lowering hunger and supporting weight loss, many people still experience hunger on Wegovy, particularly during the first few months of treatment.

Being patient during the early weeks is essential, as your body needs time to adjust to the medication. Most people notice significant hunger changes once reaching doses of 1.0mg and above, typically around weeks 5-8.

What you eat matters, even on Wegovy. Focusing on whole foods rich in protein and fibre while limiting ultra-processed foods will maximise the medication’s hunger-lowering effects.

Remember that emotional eating patterns may continue despite Wegovy’s effects on physical hunger. Developing alternative ways to manage challenging emotions is key to long-term success.

By combining patience, and building healthy habits in nutrition, emotional awareness, and movement, you’ll give yourself the best opportunity to achieve your weight loss goals with Wegovy.

Second Nature's Mounjaro and Wegovy programmes

Second Nature provides Mounjaro or Wegovy as part of our Mounjaro and Wegovy weight-loss programmes.

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 and Wegovy) 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.

Medication-assisted weight loss with a future focus

Start with Wegovy or Mounjaro, transition to habit-based health with our support

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