HOW MUCH PROTEIN DO YOU REALLY NEED?
GLP-1 medications can dramatically reduce appetite, making it easy to eat less protein than your body needs.
Clinical nutrition guidance commonly recommends approximately 1.2–1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily during weight loss, alongside resistance exercise. This calculator uses 1.6 g/kg as a higher-protein muscle-preservation target, rather than a universal medical minimum.
For active individuals, higher protein targets may be appropriate.
CALCULATE YOUR DAILY PROTEIN TARGET
Enter your body weight in pounds or kilograms.
Calculated at 1.6 g/kg (approximately 0.73 g/lb), alongside strength training.
Educational estimate only. People with obesity may need protein calculated from goal or adjusted body weight. Those with kidney disease or other medical conditions should seek personalised advice.
THE MUSCLE-PRESERVATION FORMULA
1. Prioritise protein.
Include a quality protein source with each meal, even when your appetite is low.
2. Lift weights.
Resistance training provides the stimulus your body needs to maintain muscle and strength.
3. Don't under-eat.
GLP-1 treatment shouldn't mean starving yourself. Adequate energy, fibre, fluids and essential nutrients still matter.
WHICH GLP-1 IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Not all weight-loss medications work in the same way. Some act on one hormone pathway, while newer treatments target two or three.
OZEMPIC / WEGOVY — SEMAGLUTIDE
One hormone pathway: GLP-1
Semaglutide helps regulate appetite and blood glucose. Ozempic is primarily used for type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is the semaglutide brand developed and authorised for weight management in eligible patients.
Clinical trials have demonstrated substantial weight loss with semaglutide, alongside benefits in certain cardiometabolic conditions.
Best understood as: An established GLP-1 treatment with extensive clinical research.
MOUNJARO / ZEPBOUND — TIRZEPATIDE
Two hormone pathways: GIP + GLP-1
Tirzepatide acts on two metabolic hormone receptors. It has been studied for type 2 diabetes, obesity and related conditions.
In a head-to-head obesity trial, tirzepatide produced greater average weight loss than semaglutide at the studied doses.
Best understood as: An established dual-action medication with particularly strong average weight-loss results.
RETATRUTIDE — THE TRIPLE AGONIST
Three hormone pathways: GIP + GLP-1 + glucagon
Retatrutide is a next-generation investigational medicine being studied for obesity and related metabolic conditions.
Phase 3 studies have reported very substantial average weight reductions, making it one of the most closely watched developments in obesity medicine.
Important: Retatrutide remains investigational and is not an approved prescription weight-loss medicine as of October 2026. Trial results should not be treated as a guarantee of individual outcomes.
Best understood as: A promising research-stage treatment, not a routine clinical option.
MORE DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN BETTER.
The medication associated with the greatest average weight loss isn't automatically the best choice for you.
Your medical history, blood glucose, existing medications, treatment eligibility, side-effect risk and nutritional status all matter.
The smartest GLP-1 journey starts with understanding your health — not simply choosing the strongest appetite suppressant.
BEFORE YOU START, KNOW YOUR NUMBERS.
A blood test can help you and your clinician build a more informed plan.
Check From Home offers a GLP-1 blood-testing assessment designed to provide useful baseline health information, with the option of a virtual doctor consultation where available and clinically appropriate.
Your results can help inform discussions about metabolic health, nutritional status, potential treatment risks and appropriate follow-up monitoring.
START YOUR GLP-1 JOURNEY THE INFORMED WAY.
Step 1: Complete your GLP-1 health assessment.
Step 2: Review your results and discuss suitable treatment options with a qualified prescriber.
Step 3: Combine clinically appropriate treatment with protein, resistance training and ongoing monitoring.
CHECK MY GLP-1 HEALTH →Optional virtual doctor consultation available where offered. Blood testing alone does not determine medication suitability or guarantee a prescription.