1. Daily Wellness Rules

The Fluid Rule

• Drink 2.5 to 3.0 liters (about 10 to 12 cups) of water every single day.

• Both of your daily medications flush fluids out of your body.

• Constant hydration is mandatory to protect your kidneys and maintain healthy blood pressure.

2. The "Water First" Rule

• Medication-induced dehydration frequently tricks your brain into feeling intense food cravings.

• If you feel an unexpected urge to snack or crave carbohydrates, drink one full glass of water first.

• Wait 15 minutes.

• If the craving disappears, your body was simply asking for fluids, not food.

3. Moderate-Carbohydrate Mediterranean Diet Guide

Do not follow a strict low-carbohydrate or ketogenic diet while taking these medications. Your body requires a safe, baseline intake of healthy carbohydrates to prevent serious complications.

4. What to Include Every Day

• Complex Carbohydrates: Choose oats, quinoa, brown rice, whole-grain barley, chickpeas, lentils, and beans. These carbohydrates provide steady energy and keep your metabolism running safely.

• Lean Proteins: Focus on wild-caught fish, skinless poultry, eggs, and plant-based proteins.

• Healthy Fats: Use extra virgin olive oil as your primary fat source. Enjoy avocados, walnuts, almonds, and seeds in moderate amounts.

• Fresh Vegetables: Fill half your plate with leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and peppers.

5. What to Sharply Restrict

• Sodium (Under 2,000 mg per day): Avoid adding table salt to food. Carefully read labels to avoid processed meats, canned soups, frozen meals, and salty snacks.

• Saturated and Trans Fats: Eliminate butter, lard, fatty cuts of red meat, heavy creams, and fried foods to allow your liver fat to clear.

• Refined Sugars: Avoid sodas, juices, pastries, white bread, and sweets. These cause sharp blood sugar spikes that force your liver to store extra fat.

6. Critical Warning Signs

Because of how these medications interact, serious complications can develop even if your blood sugar numbers look completely normal. You must monitor your body closely for the following symptoms.

Red Flag Symptoms (Check Urine Ketones Immediately)

If you experience any of these symptoms, test your urine for ketones using your prescription test strips right away. If ketones are moderate or high, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Persistent nausea, vomiting, or inability to keep food down

• Sudden, unexplained, and deep abdominal pain

• Deep, rapid, or heavy breathing (gasping for air)

• Extreme, sudden fatigue, muscle weakness, or severe confusion

• A distinct "fruity" or sweet smell on your breath

7. Dehydration and Electrolyte Warning Signs

Contact your doctor promptly if you notice these signs, as your medication or supplement doses may need a quick adjustment:

• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint when standing up quickly

• Painful muscle cramps in your legs or back (often a sign of shifting potassium levels)

• Extreme dry mouth that does not go away after drinking water

• A noticeable drop in how often you urinate, or very dark-colored urine

8. Your Daily Checklist

Print this section out or use it as a daily mental tracker to stay on top of your metabolic recovery plan.

• Morning Medications: Taken with a full glass of water as prescribed by my physician.

• Morning Tracking: I have logged my fasting weight and blood pressure (if requested by my care team).

• Water Tracking (Cup 1-3): Consumed before lunch.

• Breakfast: Included a healthy source of complex carbohydrates and lean protein.

• Water Tracking (Cup 4-6): Consumed between lunch and dinner.

• Lunch: Low-sodium meal focused on fresh vegetables and healthy fats like olive oil.

• Water Tracking (Cup 7-9): Consumed during the afternoon.

• Dinner: Balanced Mediterranean meal with proper portions of complex carbs (no strict carb-starving).

• Evening Supplement: Taken with my evening meal as prescribed.

• Water Tracking (Cup 10-12): Finished before going to bed.

• Symptom Check: I feel well, have no nausea or unusual fatigue, and my breathing is completely normal