Unathi Gomba from Centurion, Gauteng, has battled obesity and a related elephantiasis condition since 2011. Throughout her life, she remembers always being overweight. Despite years of weight-loss attempts with limited success, she could not do it on her own and her doctor prescribed Duromine, a weight-loss medication, in 2019. Gomba shares her story and experts give insights about the pros and cons of Duromine.
“I was prescribed Duromine for six months,” Gomba says. “While affordability ultimately made me stop using it, the medication was very effective. I lost weight, and it significantly curbed my appetite.”
She adds that she didn’t gain weight after taking the prescription, as she was used to smaller portions and drinking plenty of water.
Gomba says she stopped craving chocolates and sweets as she used to.
“I mostly ate breakfast out of routine, not because I felt hungry.”
Unathi Gomba
As for side effects, she had heard and been warned about them, but Gomba says her body saved her from experiencing any. She would just sleep well, drink water, and focus on eating small portions.
“In my opinion, it works,” she says.
Does Duromine work for everyone?
Duromine is a prescribed medication that can help people lose weight by reducing their appetite and food cravings, explains Dr Manduleli Bikitsha, a doctor from Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
He adds that Duromine contains the active ingredient phentermine, which acts as an appetite suppressant. It is often prescribed to people who are obese or overweight and have struggled to lose weight through diet and exercise alone.
“There is a stigma attached to obesity, and some people turn to emotional eating to cope with the stress and shame they feel. In these cases, Duromine can serve as a mediator to help people achieve weight loss when other methods have not been successful.”
Dr Manduleli Bikitsha
Bikitsha cautions that Duromine should not be considered a standalone solution for weight loss. Instead, it should be used as part of a comprehensive programme that includes diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes, under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Duromine does not work for everyone.
Health For Mzansi previously reported that Siphesihle Dyonta from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape thought Duromine would be a quick fix for her weight problem, however, she found out it was not and she experienced “really bad” side effects. After taking it she says she started getting headaches, dry mouth and palpitations.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE: What it’s really like to take Duromine for weight loss
The emotional baggage of overeating
Gaining pounds or growing up just a little larger than your friends can feel like a constant weight on your shoulders. It can even cause you to eat more to deal with your roller coaster of emotions.
When you’ve tried everything in your power to lose weight and you feel like nothing is working, you might be tempted to reach for weight-loss medication such as Duromine. Is it the answer?
Medical experts say you have to deal with the psychological reasons why you overeat and not just the physical ones.
Dr Lethu Letsoalo from #Keready mobile clinics in the Western Cape explains that emotional eating is the tendency to overeat in response to negative emotions, this is usually an attempt to escape these feelings.
“I think we have all found ourselves munching on chips or chocolates when we are stressed, bored, or a bit down. That’s emotional eating right there. These emotions can include anxiety, anger, or irritability,” she says.
Finding healthier ways to cope
“People who are emotional eaters don’t usually lean on nutritious foods, but rather foods that are high in fat, sugar, and calories,” says Letsoalo.
She notes that eating these foods puts us at higher risk of lifestyle conditions like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
“There are a few warning signs that might indicate you have an emotional eating problem. These include feelings of shame and guilt overeating habits, sudden and urgent cravings of food, cravings for particular foods only, and overeating beyond the sense of fullness.”
Dr Lethu Letsoalo
Letsoalo warns that if your first response to any negative feeling or emotion regularly becomes food, it is advisable to see a healthcare professional for an assessment.
Dealing with emotional eating is about more than just what you eat; it’s also about understanding your emotions and finding healthier ways to cope. She adds that chatting with a mental health professional about these feelings can be incredibly helpful.
Food choices and meal plans for emotional eaters
For those under medical treatments like Duromine and Ozempic, which are prescribed for weight loss and diabetes management, respectively, a thoughtful approach to meal planning is essential, explains Letsoalo.
“It is always best to check with a dietitian,” she advises.
Letsoalo gives some general guidelines on unhealthy foods:
- Highly processed foods: Often high in sugar and unhealthy fats.
- Sugary snacks and beverages: Can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels.
- Excessive fast food: Typically, high in calories and lacking essential nutrients.
- Alcohol: Can interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications and contribute to weight gain.
- High-sodium foods: This can lead to water retention and high blood pressure.
Foods to embrace
Letsoalo suggests always keeping certain essential foods stocked in their homes, such as:
- Vegetables and fruits: A variety of colours to ensure a range of nutrients.
- Whole grains: Such as brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat products for steady energy.
- Lean proteins: Including fish, chicken, tofu, and legumes to support muscle health and satiety.
- Healthy fats: Avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil support brain health and keep you feeling full.
- Water and hydrating fluids: To promote digestion and overall hydration.
She also touched on portion sizes, stating that it is recommended to aim for half of your plate to be filled with a variety of colours and types of food.
As for proteins, a portion should be about the size of your palm. For fats, she suggested having a small handful of nuts or using the tip of your thumb to measure oils and butter.
READ NEXT: Beyond the waistline: Uncovering the hidden dangers of obesity
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