GLP-1 Users Are Spending Less on Groceries and Fast Food, Study Finds

 Key Findings

• Households with GLP-1 users reduced grocery spending by 5.5% in the first six months.
• Higher-income households showed a larger reduction (8.6%) in food spending.
• Spending on ultra-processed foods, snacks, and sweets declined the most.
• Fast food and coffee shop purchases dropped, especially at breakfast and dinner times.
• Purchases of nutrient-dense foods like yogurt, fresh produce, and nutrition bars remained stable.
• Spending reductions plateau at six months but remain significant after 12 months.

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Study Details

• Published on December 27, 2024, the study used Numerator data from 150,000 households tracking GLP-1 medication use and food purchases.
• It included off-label users, offering a comprehensive view of spending trends.
• The difference-in-differences framework compared GLP-1 users vs. non-users across 40 product categories.

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Changes in Food Spending

🔻 Decreased Spending On:

• Ultra-processed foods like chips, sweets, and high-calorie snacks.
• Impulse purchases at grocery stores.
• Dining out, particularly at fast food chains and coffee shops.

🔺 Stable or Increased Spending On:

• Nutrient-dense foods like yogurt, fresh produce, and protein bars.

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Implications for the Food Industry

• Food brands are adapting, with new high-protein, high-fiber products hitting the market.
• Restaurants, especially fast food chains, may need to adjust menus to appeal to health-conscious consumers.
• Long-term effects suggest GLP-1 use is reshaping consumer food demand rather than being a temporary trend.

"GLP-1 medications are significantly changing how people shop for food, a shift that will impact the food industry as adoption continues to grow," researchers concluded.