NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD NEWS) — Food spending patterns are shifting as use of GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes medications expands (like Ozempic and Wegovy), with new research showing measurable reductions in grocery and restaurant demand within months of adoption.
A study highlighted by Meat + Poultry Magazine and published in the Journal of Marketing Research found households reduced grocery spending by an average of 5.3% within six months of starting GLP-1 medications, with higher-income households cutting spending by more than 8%.
Researchers from Cornell University analyzed transaction data from roughly 150,000 households tracked by Numerator, comparing GLP-1 users with similar non-users to isolate post-adoption changes. The steepest declines occurred in calorie-dense foods. Spending on savory snacks fell about 10%, with similar pullbacks in sweets, baked goods, cookies, and other indulgent categories. Core grocery items — including meat, eggs, and bread — also declined.
A small number of categories saw gains, led by yogurt, fresh fruit, nutrition bars, and meat snacks. Foodservice spending also softened, particularly at fast-food restaurants and coffee shops.
The study notes that lower food spending persists for at least a year among continued users, though the impact moderates over time. With GLP-1 use rising rapidly, researchers say long-term implications for food manufacturers, retailers, and restaurants could include changes to product mix, portion sizes, and marketing strategies.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Rising GLP-1 adoption may gradually reshape food demand, with potential downstream effects for protein markets and consumer purchasing patterns.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold joined RFD-TV to provide the latest insights on diabetes and rural health.
November 19, 2025 03:31 PM
·
Mary-Thomas Hart, with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, discusses the latest WOTUS developments and their implications for agriculture.
November 19, 2025 03:05 PM
·
Urea and phosphate see the biggest price relief from tariff exemptions, but nitrogen markets remain tight, and spring demand will still dictate pricing momentum.
November 19, 2025 12:31 PM
·
Lower turkey and wheat prices helped ease Thanksgiving costs, but underlying farm-sector pressures remain significant.
November 19, 2025 11:06 AM
·
Cattle and hog supplies continue to tighten while dairy output expands, creating a split outlook in which red-meat prices soften and milk values come under pressure from larger supplies.
November 18, 2025 03:02 PM
·
With feed supplies running tight, producers can tap into some creative options, according to University of Pennsylvania Veterinarian and Professor Dr. Joe Bender.
November 18, 2025 01:13 PM
·
New SDRP funding and expanded loss programs give producers additional tools to rebuild cash flow and stabilize operations after two years of severe weather losses.
November 18, 2025 11:56 AM
·
The new WOTUS proposal narrows federal jurisdiction, restores key agricultural exclusions, and gives farmers clearer permitting rules after years of regulatory uncertainty.
November 18, 2025 10:58 AM
·
Here is a regional snapshot of harvest pace, crop conditions, logistics, and livestock economics across U.S. agriculture for the week of Monday, November 17, 2025.
November 17, 2025 05:05 PM
·
