WHY OZEMPIC AND OTHER WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS ARE CHANGING THE FACE OF SNACKING
People are buying healthier snacks and household food bills are dropping as GLP-1 weight-loss drugs alter eating habits
Move over, chips and cookies - snacking is getting a GLP-1-era makeover.
A recent Cornell University and Numerator study found households with at least one user of GLP-1 - medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Zepbound - cut grocery spending by 6 per cent within six months, with higher-income households slashing nearly 9 per cent from their food bills.
So, what's not making its way into the grocery cart?
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Snacks.
According to the study, purchases of savoury and ultra-processed treats like baked goods showed some of the biggest reductions, averaging between 6.7 per cent and 11.1 per cent. Fast food also saw a decline, down 8.6 per cent.
For major food brands, this is a wake-up call. Confectionery maker Hershey has already acknowledged a "mild" dip in sales, while Nestle is racing to develop GLP-1-friendly products, according to Food Dive.
But while some brands are scrambling to adapt, others are naturally positioned to thrive in this new snacking landscape.
One of those brands is Uncle Jerry's Pretzels, a small-batch, family-owned pretzel company based in Lancaster, in the US state of Pennsylvania. Unlike mass-produced pretzels that can pack more than 300 calories per serving, Uncle Jerry's salted pretzels are handmade, contain just 80 calories and have no oil, sugar or preservatives.
"For people on (GLP-1s), they're looking for something satisfying but not overwhelming. That's literally who we are," Misty Skolnick, co-owner of the company, said .
"We don't have to change anything about our product because we've always been focused on clean, simple ingredients."
Of course, not all of their snacks are totally GLP-1 approved - but that does not mean they aren't worth the occasional treat. "We do a line of chocolate-covered ones," Skolnick added with a laugh. "I think they are deadly."
When asked if they'd pass as GLP-1-friendly, she admitted, "I'm going to lean on the side of caution and say, 'I doubt it'. But we do these in small little bites, so I guess you could indulge in one or two and be OK."
GLP-1 winning snacks
Which snacks are GLP-1 users actually eating?
When asked what she would include on a GLP-1-friendly charcuterie board, apart from her company's pretzels, Skolnick had some practical picks: unsalted nuts, Greek yogurt dip and dried fruit - without added sugar, of course.
Other snack choices for GLP-1 users, according to Health, include:
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Insoluble fibre, found in almonds, walnuts, and peas
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Low-glycemic drinks such as water and green tea
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Whole grains such as oats and quinoa
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High-protein dairy products (cottage cheese, Greek yogurt)
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Leafy vegetables with hummus or Greek yogurt dip
With GLP-1 use projected to double by 2030, snacking isn't going anywhere - it is just evolving.
So, whether you are on GLP-1s or simply looking for smarter choices, embrace the new era of snacking, where smaller portions and nutrient-packed bites reign supreme.
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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.
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2025-03-21T08:25:39Z
