So, like, Alyssa Fraser was all about cooking, you know? She used to be a food reporter from Minnesota and loved whipping up her fave chicken and veggie dish or a big batch of pasta. But then she started taking Wegovy, this popular weight-loss med, and suddenly, food just wasn’t the same for her. Like, she lost interest in it and certain foods started to taste super weird. She said some meats tasted too “barnyard-y” and her go-to wine was all “vegetal.”
Turns out, other peeps taking Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, and other meds in the GLP-1 group have also described some funky changes in their taste buds. These meds were originally made to help with type 2 diabetes by making peeps feel full faster, but some users are reporting that they’re not just feeling fuller, they’re also not feeling the same love for certain foods. Like, savory meals seem less appealing, fried foods feel too heavy, and snacks are just meh.
Some folks even said they’re not as interested in food at all anymore. They see it as a necessity rather than something to enjoy. And get this, some data from grocery stores suggests that peeps on GLP-1 meds are spending less on food, especially the calorie-dense and processed stuff.
A recent study found that peeps on GLP-1 meds were eating fewer processed foods, refined grains, and beef. They were also cutting back on soda and sweetened drinks while upping their fruit, leafy greens, and water intake. And get this, they were consuming about 700 fewer calories per day. But, like, this info is based on what peeps reported, which might not always be super accurate.
Peeps on these meds might not be losing their desire for certain foods, they just don’t feel that immediate urge to eat them. It’s like, they still like the foods but they’re not jumping at the chance to eat them right away. These drugs work by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate appetite and pleasure responses to food.
Some studies suggest that changes in food preferences might play a role in weight loss, but it’s not totally clear how much of an impact they have compared to the meds’ effect on making peeps feel full. Experts are starting to figure out how common these changes in taste and food preferences really are among users and what might be causing them.
Peeps taking GLP-1 meds have reported that some flavors are stronger or just plain unpleasant while they’re on the meds. Like, Siobhan from LA said her fave panang curry suddenly tasted bitter after being on Wegovy for a while. And Sarah, who’s been on Wegovy for two years, can’t stand eggs or broccoli anymore. She’s also lost her love for spicy food, which has her fam complaining that her cooking is too bland now.
So, it seems like these meds are affecting peeps in different ways when it comes to food. Some are cool with the changes because it’s helping them eat less, while others are struggling with the loss of their love for cooking and certain dishes. It’s a trade-off for better health, but it’s not an easy one for everyone to make.
