In a method for switching a localized saturation pulse in magnetic resonance spectroscopy or magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic field gradients are switched during the saturation pulse, with the steps of establishing the examination region, establishing the position of the saturation pulse relative to the examination region, determining the spectral position of the signal to be saturated, and selecting the magnetic field gradients dependent on the position of the saturation pulse relative to the examination region and dependent on the spectral position of the signal to be saturated.