Patients prescribed phentermine are typically enrolled in clinical weight loss programs to address moderate to severe obesity. Phentermine is an appetite suppressant used to reduce hunger and thereby limit the amount of food a patient consumes. There is no specific diet plan used for patients on phentermine, but many clinical programs follow similar guidelines to encourage patients to achieve lasting weight loss.
Phentermine works by decreasing hunger or helping you feel full for a longer period of time. You consume less food, and this control of food intake typically leads to weight loss. Phentermine can be used for a period of up to 12 weeks and weight loss results are typically an average of 10 pounds greater than weight losses from other obesity treatments. Patients must note that phentermine is most successfully used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise plan.
Healthy Dietary Habits
Both MayoClinic.com and the National Institutes of Health suggest that patients using phentermine should follow a healthy, balanced diet. Meals should contain 10 to 30 percent protein, 45 to 65 percent carbohydrates and 20 to 35 percent fats. Choose lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, and fish and complex carbohydrates such as whole gain breads, pastas, and cereals. Plan fresh meals that emphasize plenty of fruits and vegetable and low levels of refined starches and saturated fats. Calorie guidelines vary between individuals and depend on your gender, age and activity level. Your doctor will help you determine a healthy target for your daily caloric intake.
Behavior and Lifestyle
Most patients who are prescribed phentermine are also encouraged to learn improved eating behaviors through nutritional and behavioral counseling. People who are emotional eaters may need to learn alternative stress management tools, such as relaxation or cognitive behavioral techniques, to change their negative eating habits. Learning to organize meals, shop for healthy foods and schedule meals at regular intervals are all healthy lifestyle skills that some patients may need to master for improved weight management.
Exercise
A minimum of 30 minutes of exercise per day is essential to any weight management program. If you are just beginning a new workout routine, consult your doctor and start gradually to build up endurance. A combination of aerobic exercise and strength training helps burn calories and support healthy muscle tone. Patients on phentermine should consult with their doctors regarding any specific exercise guidelines. Weight loss on phentermine often helps jump-start a weight loss plan. This weight loss improves physical factors such as blood pressure and heart rate. Patients should maintain and continue this weight loss by engaging in an ongoing exercise plan.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Phentermine: Can Prescription Medication Help Weight Loss?; Dr. Donald Hensrud; Oct. 23, 2009
- MayoClinic.com: Weight-loss Drugs: Can a Prescription Help You Lose Weight?; Mayo Clinic Staff, Oct. 9, 2010
- Weight-control Information Network: Weight Loss for Life; January 2009
- Weight-control Information Network: Prescription Medications for the Treatment of Obesity; December 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Healthy Diet: End the Guesswork With These Healthy Nutrition Guidelines; Mayo Clinic Staff; Feb. 22, 2011
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