Weight-loss medication users shift spending towards healthier groceries

More than two million people in the UK are now using weight-loss medications such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, and research suggests these drugs are reshaping household shopping habits in promising ways.

A study by market research firm Worldpanel examined purchase data from over 11,000 UK households and found that those using GLP-1 medications spent £418 less on average on groceries in the year after starting treatment, compared with non-users. The reduction wasn't simply about buying less food—households redirected their spending towards healthier choices.

People taking the medications bought fewer chocolate bars and pastries whilst increasing purchases of fruit and protein-rich foods like prawns. Alcohol consumption also declined. The shift appears to stem from feeling fuller for longer and being less inclined to snack out of boredom.

Research from Cornell University corroborated the trend, finding that US households reduced grocery spending by 5% within six months of starting GLP-1 drugs, rising to 8% among higher-income families. The sharpest cuts came from ultra-processed, calorie-dense foods, with savoury snack spending dropping approximately 10%.

The findings suggest these medications may support lasting dietary improvements beyond weight reduction alone.