I’ve been reading articles about spending in grocery stores going down because of people taking GLP-1s like Ozempic/Wegovy and Mounjaro/Zepbound. I did bring this up earlier in the blog because I knew this topic would be discussed more and more based on my own history of food buying. Over the months, I have watched others also say they are spending less on food, in stores, at fast food restaurants, and in drive-thrus.
My own food spending has fallen precipitously while on Trulicity and Mounjaro. Below, I lay out my spending before and during taking the GLP-1 (Trulicity) and GLP-1/GIP (Mounjaro)
Even the research that companies are doing for their own products is showing this.
In The Food Institute, “Appetite for Reduction: GLP-1 Drugs Fuel Grocery Decrease,” their reporting of several studies is bearing this out.
Those using Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or other GLP-1s noted a 6% – 9% decrease in grocery spending, particularly among snacks, pastries, and ice cream, while sales of vegetable snacks, fish, and yogurt increased.
General Mills CEO Jeffrey Harmening said the company was introducing new products “to meet evolving consumer weight management and nutrition needs,” such as the new Annie’s Macaroni & Cheese “Super Mac” offering, which packs more protein. Harmening said lower sodium and lower sugar offerings are also coming to its line of Betty Crocker cakes, cookies, and brownies.
In 5 Ways Weight-Loss Drugs Like Ozempic & Wegovy Will Change the Food Industry, by Green Queen,
Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, CEO of Ozempic maker Novo (Nordisk), made global headlines earlier this month when he revealed that heads of food companies had been in touch with him for advice. “A couple of CEOs from, say, food companies have been calling me,” he told Bloomberg. “They are scared about it.” Food companies are scrambling as they prepare for a consumer base that ends up looking for healthier food – and less of it.
I love that! It’s great that foods are changing, not just for those of us on the diabetes and weight loss medications, but new choices for everyone.
In the same article, they talk about how beverage makers are also possible hits to the bottom line. I was a lifelong Diet Coke drinker. I don’t mean one or two cans a day, but 10-12 Diet Coke cans a day. I spent an average of $100 a month on Diet Coke. An average.
I stopped Diet Coke January 1, 2024 and had zero withdrawal and zero desire for Diet Coke again. I have gone out to eat twice with family and did not even want a Diet Coke. My family is shocked because I’ve tried to stop drinking Diet Coke for decades and never could. On the Mounjaro, I have absolutely no desire to drink Diet Coke again. I am sure Coca-Cola is crying reading this.
Shame About How Much I’ve Spent On Food
I look at the money I’ve spent on food in the years before GLP-1s and am mortified. Sitting here today, I’m stunned I didn’t seem to care how much I spent, how in debt I got, while feeding my obesity. (The tendency is to say “feeding my addiction.” Was it that? Can obesity be an addiction?)
Today, it seems absurd that I didn’t see the incongruity of spending so much money I didn’t have, but felt I needed to spend on food. “Needed” isn’t even the word. “Compelled” isn’t even a strong enough word. Almost forced by something greater than myself shoving me towards food. But I have to face that it was myself!
This gives but a hint about how pervasive and insistent the voices inside are telling those of us with obesity to eat, Eat, EAT. And eat even more. It makes no sense. It has to seem like lunacy to someone who does not have obesity or overweight. “Why can’t you just stop eating and move your ass more?” I didn’t have the answer until now. Because my brain and gut were/are crippled without help. Help has come by way of GLP-1s.
This is why I cannot ever imagine going off these GLP-1s or their progeny. (The present shortages terrify me!)
Food Delivery Services
I’m going to, quite embarrassingly, show you how much money I’ve spent on Uber Eats over the past three years. Well, the second and third of the three years is pretty cool, but for years before I even show you, I’ve spent an inordinate amount on food delivery.
While the Green Queen article continues with Fast Food…
…survey showed that burger chains are the hardest hit, with Shake Shack specifically called out for its “lack of history of successfully pivoting to healthier offerings”. But it’s not just foodservice – junk food retailers will need to revamp their approach too, with research showing that nearly a third of American GLP-1 drug users are eating fewer carbs and snacks, 38% are reducing their fat intake, and 45% are consuming less sugar than before.
People taking semaglutide drugs have been found to consume 20% fewer calories on average and be less interested in fatty, oily and fried foods, and a Bloomberg Live Pulse survey showed that fast-food companies will need to tweak their businesses or fall foul of investors. Nearly three-quarters of respondents said companies making sugary, fatty or ultra-processed foods should rethink their plans via smaller portions, newer recipes, or asset elimination, while only a quarter believed these conglomerates could see out the threat posed by these drugs with time.
…I will demonstrate how much I have stopped eating food delivery. Note that this does not include food eating out.
Sorry Uber Eats, but here goes.
Uber Eats
Pre-Trulicity
November 2021 = $685
December 2021 = $523
January 2022 = $721
February 2022 = $621
On-Trulicity/Pre-Mounjaro
November 2022 = $269
December 2022 = $424
January 2023 = $0
February 2023 = $0
On Mounjaro
November 2023 = $20
December 2023 = $0
January 2024 = $0
February 2024 = $0
Grocery Store Food Buying
My Instacart numbers are equally as dramatic. Again, I am horrified by the numbers, mainly because I do not make tons of money, but clearly spent whatever I had on food.
Instacart
Pre-Trulicity
November 2021 = $896
December 2021 = $920
January 2022 = $1075
February 2022 = $541
On Trulicity/Pre-Mounjaro
November 2022 = $988
December 2022 = $352
January 2023 = $722
February 2023 = $763
On Mounjaro
November 2023 = $376
December 2023 = $269
January 2024 = $386
February 2024 = $336
If I Am Any Example…
…of the food buying habits of those on GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro/Zepbound and Ozempic/Wegovy, the food companies have a lot of work to do to maintain some semblance of income for themselves.
I look forward to others sharing their numbers. It, most assuredly, is illuminating.