How Mounjaro works
Mounjaro works by mimicking hormones that regulate hunger and fullness, fundamentally altering how our body responds to food.
The medication reduces appetite and hunger, helping us eat fewer calories to support weight loss.
Mounjaro also slows gastric emptying, meaning food stays in your stomach longer. This creates a prolonged feeling of fullness and can make fast or ultra-processed foods difficult to enjoy, potentially worsening side effects such as nausea and bloating.
One of the most significant changes people notice is the reduction in ‘food noise’, those constant thoughts about food and cravings that previously drove food choices.
Taste preferences often change on Mounjaro. Many people report losing interest in sugary snacks and heavy sandwiches, finding them too sweet or filling.
The medication can also affect how your body processes different types of food. Fresh, minimally processed options like those at Leon tend to be easier to digest and less likely to trigger side effects.
Best whole food options at Leon
When taking Mounjaro, we recommend choosing options that include vegetables, protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Leon’s menu naturally aligns with this approach.
| Option |
Protein content |
Why it’s a good option |
Best for |
| Leon Chicken & Grains box |
High |
Grilled chicken + quinoa + vegetables + easy to digest |
Full meal |
| Moroccan Meatball Salad |
High |
Lean protein + vegetables + flavourful spices |
Satisfying lunch with variety |
| Chicken & Avocado Salad |
High |
Quality protein + healthy fats + leafy greens |
Light but nutritious option |
| Love Bowls (Quinoa base) |
Medium-High |
Complete amino acids + vegetables + customisable |
Balanced meal with plant protein |
| Superfood Salads |
Medium |
Nutrient-dense vegetables + seeds + light protein |
When you need lighter eating |
| Chicken Wrap (wholemeal) |
High |
Portable protein + vegetables in wholemeal wrap |
Quick meal with balanced nutrition |
Grilled chicken boxes are Leon’s strongest offerings for Mounjaro users. The Leon Chicken & Grains box provides high protein while including quinoa and roasted vegetables, creating a balanced meal that’s unlikely to trigger nausea.
The grilled preparation means less vegetable oil and easier digestion compared to fried alternatives.
Mediterranean salads offer excellent nutrition with vibrant flavours that often appeal to people experiencing taste changes on Mounjaro.
The Moroccan Meatball Salad combines lean protein with vegetables and spices.
Love Bowls provide plant-based protein options. The quinoa base offers complete amino acids whilst being easier on the stomach than heavier grains.
Superfood salads are excellent when your appetite is reduced. They provide concentrated nutrition in smaller portions, featuring ingredients like kale, avocado, and seeds that deliver essential nutrients even when you’re eating less.
For breakfast, Leon’s protein-rich options like their chicken sausage breakfast wrap provide sustained energy without the blood sugar spikes that can worsen morning nausea.
Managing side effects through food choices
Over 65% of people taking Mounjaro experience some gastrointestinal side effects, particularly nausea and constipation.
Leon’s fresh preparation and Mediterranean approach generally makes their food easier to tolerate.
Their grilled proteins are less likely to trigger nausea than fried alternatives, and their use of herbs and spices can add flavour without adding high levels of refined fats or sugars.
Many Leon dishes include ginger, turmeric, and other spices that may have natural anti-nausea properties.
Constipation affects nearly half of Mounjaro users, making fibre intake important. Leon’s emphasis on vegetables, legumes, and whole grains naturally provides good fibre content.
Their salads often include a variety of vegetables, while their grain boxes feature quinoa and brown rice that contribute to daily fibre needs.
Broadly, Leon’s Mediterranean philosophy of plenty of vegetables, quality protein sources, healthy fats from sources like avocado and olive oil, and complex carbohydrates, is a healthy option when eating on the move.
This naturally moves you towards the balanced plate approach we recommend: 50% vegetables, 25% protein, 25% complex carbohydrates, and at least one serving of fat.
Timing your meal also matters. Leon’s fresh preparation means food is less likely to sit heavily in your stomach, but still take at least 20 minutes to eat your meal to give your body the time it needs to digest the meal.
What to order
For breakfast: A chicken sausage breakfast wrap provides protein to start your day while being easier to digest than heavier breakfast options. Pair it with fresh fruit if your appetite allows.
For lunch: Focus on their chicken boxes or Mediterranean salads. The Leon Chicken & Grains box offers a complete meal with good protein and fibre sources.
If you need something ‘lighter’, the Chicken & Avocado Salad provides quality nutrition in a smaller portion.
When appetite is low: A Love Bowl with quinoa gives you complete protein and vegetables in a portion you can adjust to your hunger level.
Leon’s serving sizes are generally more reasonable than typical fast food, making it easier to avoid overeating.
For customisation: You can also ask them to tweak your order. Extra vegetables, dressing on the side, or just a smaller portion if that’s all you can manage.
Adding avocado to salads gives you healthy fats, or you can ask for extra chicken if you need more protein.
For hydration: Choose water, herbal teas, or Leon’s fresh juices in small portions. Their green juices can provide extra nutrients when solid food feels challenging.
Avoid very sugary drinks, as they’re easier to overconsume and may trigger side effects due to the speed at which the body digests sugar.
Listen to what your body’s telling you. Leon uses quality ingredients, so you’ll probably feel more satisfied with less food than you’d expect.
Building sustainable habits beyond Leon
Eating out is part of life, and you don’t need to be perfect every time you grab food on the go.
However, the goal when losing weight on Mounjaro should be developing a healthy lifestyle that includes cooking from fresh ingredients most of the time. This is what supports long-term health and weight loss maintenance.
If your lifestyle means you eat out more often – whether that’s due to work, travel, or other commitments – then Leon is a good choice considering their whole food options and fresh preparation methods.
What’s useful about Leon is that their flavour combinations can give you ideas for home cooking.
If you enjoy their harissa chicken or their way of combining quinoa with vegetables, you can recreate similar meals at home.
The mental clarity that comes with reduced food cravings on Mounjaro is helpful for developing cooking skills.
When you’re not constantly thinking about food, you have more headspace to plan meals and try new recipes.
When you do visit Leon, the goal is simply making choices that feel good at the time.
Frequently asked questions
Will eating at Leon stop Mounjaro from working?
No, occasional Leon visits won’t interfere with Mounjaro’s effectiveness. Leon’s focus on fresh, minimally processed ingredients actually aligns well with the eating pattern that supports Mounjaro’s benefits.
Their grilled proteins and vegetable-heavy options are less likely to trigger side effects than heavily processed alternatives.
What’s the best Leon option for someone on Mounjaro?
The Leon Chicken & Grains box is typically the best choice, providing high-quality protein, complex carbohydrates, and vegetables in one balanced meal.
For lighter appetites, their Chicken & Avocado Salad offers excellent nutrition in a more manageable portion.
Why might some Leon foods still cause nausea on Mounjaro?
While Leon uses fresher ingredients than most fast food, some of their dressings or spicier options might still trigger sensitivity.
The harissa-based dishes, while flavourful, might be too intense for some people experiencing heightened taste sensitivity on Mounjaro.
Can I eat Leon’s wraps whilst taking Mounjaro?
Yes, especially their wholemeal wraps with grilled chicken. These provide good protein and fibre.
Are Leon’s plant-based options good for Mounjaro users?
Yes, their Love Bowls with quinoa provide complete protein and a wide variety of nutrients.
Take home message
Leon’s ‘naturally fast food’ approach makes it one of the better fast-food choices for people taking Mounjaro.
Generally, we recommend eating meals based on whole foods that you’ve prepared yourself the majority of the time.
Still, Leon’s focus on grilled proteins, fresh vegetables, and Mediterranean flavours makes it a sensible choice when looking for a convenient meal when you’re out and about.
When you do visit Leon, focus on their chicken boxes and salads whilst listening to your body’s hunger and fullness signals rather than worrying about making perfect choices.
The real benefit of Mounjaro is how it quietens food noise and cravings, giving you the headspace to build healthier long-term habits.
Use this clarity to focus on developing a sustainable eating pattern based on whole foods, with plenty of vegetables, high-quality proteins, and complex carbohydrates, principles that Leon actually demonstrates well.
Leon visits are part of real life, and their ingredient quality means you can enjoy many of their meals as part of a healthy, balanced diet based on whole foods.
Second Nature’s medication programme
Second Nature provides Mounjaro as part of our Mounjaro weight-loss programme.
Why should you choose Second Nature over other providers assuming you’re eligible?
For peace of mind.
Second Nature has worked with the NHS for over 6 years, providing weight-loss programmes across the UK.
While our Mounjaro weight-loss programme is private and not currently used by the NHS, we’ve built the programmes focusing on scientific evidence, patient safety, and data security.
We hope that our 6+ years of working with the NHS and building a track record of effective weight-loss results will give you peace of mind to give us a try.
