Weight-loss drug users save over £400 a year on food as take-up triples

Households in Great Britain that include a user of weight-loss drugs are spending markedly less on groceries, saving an average of more than £400 a year, according to new survey data that underscores the widening economic impact of GLP-1 medications.

The research, conducted by Worldpanel by Numerator and reported by the Guardian^[1][2], found that use of GLP-1 receptor agonists has nearly tripled in the past two years, reaching 1.9 million adults. More than 6.3% of households in Great Britain now include at least one user, up from 4.1% in 2025 and 2.3% in 2024^[1][2].

In the year after starting the medication, households with at least one GLP-1 user spent £780m less on groceries than expected when compared with similar households^[1][2]. The analysis, based on a survey of more than 11,600 households, showed that grocery spend by user households declined by £780m, with 299m fewer items bought during February, when the data was collected^[1][2]. That equates to a £418 drop in grocery spending for user households compared with non-user ones^[1][2].

The shift in spending is linked to pronounced changes in eating habits. Three-quarters of GLP-1 users, or 75%, reported eating less chocolate, and 72% said they reduced their consumption of crisps^[1][2]. The survey found that chocolate confectionery spend fell by 18 percentage points more in GLP-1 user households compared with non-user households^[1][2]. More than half of users, 52%, described their approach to eating as “mindful,” guided by hunger rather than habit or routine^[1][2].

Side effects are also shaping purchasing patterns. A dry mouth and bad breath, sometimes referred to as “Ozempic mouth,” drove increased sales of mouthwash and chewing gum, which rose by 20 percentage points and 24 percentage points respectively in user households^[1][2].

The impact extends beyond supermarkets. Two-fifths of people taking the drugs said they wanted smaller portion sizes on restaurant menus, and more than a quarter requested a GLP-1-friendly menu section^[1][2]. Some retailers are already responding. Marks & Spencer introduced a range of nutrient-dense food aimed at customers eating less, and Ocado created a virtual “weight management” aisle^[1][2].

Chantel Kennaugh, head of public sector and nutrition GB for Worldpanel by Numerator, said the drugs are “fundamentally disrupting how people engage with food and drink, with ripple effects already being felt across grocery and lifestyle, forcing brands and businesses to adapt at pace”^[1][2]. The survey also found that cost remains a barrier, with 41% of users reporting they stopped taking the medication in 2026 because of the price^[1][2].