Why can consuming excessive high-fat foods exacerbate feelings of sluggishness while taking Ozempic?

Because fats are the macronutrient that slows digestion the most, compounding the drug's existing effect.

While fats are necessary for absorbing fat-soluble vitamins and serve as an energy source, they are inherently the macronutrient that causes the slowest rate of gastric emptying. Since medications containing semaglutide already function by significantly slowing down the digestive process, consuming large quantities of high-fat foods—even inherently healthy options like avocados or nuts—can drastically compound this slowdown. This compounding effect leads directly to exacerbated feelings of sluggishness, excessive fullness, or increased instances of nausea, as the stomach contents remain undigested and stationary for too long. The guidance emphasizes moderation and selection of healthy fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) used sparingly, rather than allowing them to dominate meal composition.