Will “GLP-1 -friendly food labels” be the next trend in diet culture?

GLP-1 weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy are changing the ways people think about weight management. They allow people who have historically lived with obesity to sustainably lose weight.

This has made them popular in the UK and beyond. And now in the USA, companies are taking note of this and introducing food products that claim to be “GLP-1 friendly”. Nestle, is only one of the companies launching products that claim to be suitable for people using GLP-1 injections.¹

High in protein and fibre, these newly emerging diet products are meant to support the needs of weight loss patients. But is it just a marketing scheme, or can these types of products make life easier for people using weight loss injections?

The answer isn’t straightforward. Wegovy and Mounjaro rely on active ingredients that not only help control your blood sugar and stomach emptying, but your appetite as well. ^2,3

As a result, you may feel less hungry throughout the day and eat less food.

Although this will certainly have benefits for your energy balance and achieving your weight loss goals, it can, for some people, result in nutrient deficiencies.

If you aren’t eating a balanced diet, you may not get the vitamins as well as the macro- and micro-nutrients your body needs to function properly.

The American “GLP-1 friendly” diet products that are emerging claim to help consumers eat healthily while maintaining smaller portion sizes.^1,4

Although these products haven’t made their way to the UK yet, understanding the role they could play in your weight loss journey could help you make conscious food choices if they land in a supermarket near you.

Weight loss injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy work by copying the behaviour of a hormone called GLP-1. This allows them to send signals to your brain that make you feel fuller for longer. ^2,3

When you start your pharmacist- or doctor-approved course of medication, you will notice that you eat less throughout the day as a result.

You should always eat a balanced diet. That means a diet that spans food groups and includes varied ingredients. On a daily basis, you should be eating foods that contain:

• Protein
• Fruits and vegetables
• Starchy carbohydrates
• Dairy products
• Healthy fats.⁵

If you are vegan or lactose-intolerant there are many alternatives to animal-derived products that you can add to your meals.

Meals that contain these food groups will provide you with the fibre, vitamins and other nutrients your body needs.

There are many reasons why you might not eat a balanced diet. The cost of ingredients, the cooking facilities you have available to you, and your relationship with food may all affect your ability to eat balanced meals.

Regardless of the reason, diets that lack certain nutrients can lead to deficiencies. A deficiency is the point at which your body is not receiving the recommended amount of nutrients it needs.

There are many types of deficiencies, including:

• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Iron deficiency
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Iodine deficiency.⁶

Having a nutrient deficiency can affect your body in a variety of ways. You might notice that you:

• Feel excessively tired
• Have hair loss
• Have changes to the surface texture of your nails
• Take a long time to recover from illness
• Have wounds that take a long time to heal.^7,8

If you are concerned about your health, you should always speak to a healthcare professional. Your local pharmacist or GP can support you with advice and treatment.

The food industry worldwide is shifting to suit people’s more health-centric lifestyles. In the UK, there already have a variety of products intended to help support wellbeing. Protein powders and electrolyte drinks are only some of the nutrition support products that health-conscious shoppers are buying.

But, as can be seen in the USA, behaviours are changing especially among weight loss injection users. Because they eat fewer calories, they may spend less on food products than they had previously.⁹

This means that the “GLP-1 friendly” products that are launching, are designed to be nutrient-dense with high fibre and protein content. In this way, they can cater to the nutritional needs of Mounjaro and Wegovy patients while respecting their needs for reduced portion sizes.^1,4

No. A healthy, balanced diet can be maintained without having to buy specific meals or products. Although you may feel like you need to eat less, planning out what you will have during the week can make it easier for you to ensure that you’re getting the nutrition you need.

You can make meals that suit your needs by incorporating variety into your diet. There are lots of resources to help you make healthy meals on a budget or introduce food swaps.

Plan ahead

Set aside time each week to create a meal plan. As you write your plan:

• Consider your schedule
• Write a shopping list to avoid impulse buys
• Choose quick meals for busy days.
• Check your cupboards and fridge to avoid buying duplicates.

Keep it simple

Sticking to a few core ingredients can reduce grocery shopping stress. It’s okay to have meals that use similar ingredients. It can make it easier to cook and lessen waste.

Batch cook and prep in advance

Cooking in bulk can help you save time and control portion sizes. If you can’t commit to batch cooking, storing your ingredients in clear containers and prepping your vegetables and protein can make it easier to make your meals when you’re ready.

Use leftovers wisely

If you have some food left over, you can repurpose it to make new meals. A roast chicken could be used to make a chicken salad or added to a soup.

If you’re worried about your leftovers going off, you should store them carefully in your fridge or freezer until you’re ready to use them.

Try to stay flexible

Although meal planning can help you maintain a balanced diet while you’re using a GLP-1 medication, sometimes you might want to eat something different. Keep a few ingredients that are easy to cook in your cupboards. Pasta, canned beans and pulses like lentils are examples of pantry staples that can be prepared quickly.

Remember not to worry if you’re not always able to stick to your meal plan. You can adjust it as you see fit while adding in the food groups that will help you stay healthy.