The Grocery Shift: How Weight-Loss Meds Change Spending

Imagine a medication that doesn't just impact health but also transforms your shopping cart. For many Americans and Britons using weight-loss medications, that's exactly what's happening. Our survey shows they're spending less, prioritising fresh foods, and skipping impulse buys — a shift that's transforming both their diets and their grocery budgets.

Key Takeaways

• Half of Americans spend 31% less on groceries since starting weight-loss medication.
• 74% of weight-loss medication users have increased spending on fresh foods, with 78% buying more produce.
• Users have saved $1,332 per year by not buying candy, cookies, and chips, with Americans saving $1,140 and Britons saving £1,173.
• Nearly 1 in 2 Americans (49%) shop while hungry, and 25% of their purchases are impulse buys.

Grocery Bill Changes

As more people turn to weight-loss medications, spending habits at the grocery store are changing. Let's see how.

Half of Americans reported that their grocery bills dropped by 31% after beginning weight-loss medications. When examining this trend across generations, baby boomers were the most likely to have reduced grocery expenses, with 61% reporting a decrease, followed by Gen Z (57%), Gen X (54%), and millennials (49%).

How much grocery bills went down also varied by generation:

• Gen Z: 36%
• Gen X: 30%
• Millennials: 29%
• Baby boomers: 24%

Additionally, 82% of respondents reported eating out or ordering takeout less frequently, with Britons (85%) slightly more likely than Americans (81%) to shift their dining habits in this way.

Food Choices While on Weight-Loss Medication

When using weight-loss medications like GLP-1s, adjusting your diet becomes essential. With these medications promoting fullness, many users are choosing more nutrient-dense, fresh foods and moving away from processed items.

Nearly 3 in 4 GLP-1 medication users are now spending more on fresh foods, with similar trends in Britain (75%) and the U.S. (74%). Baby boomers lead this shift, with 85% increasing fresh food purchases, followed by Gen X (77%), millennials (73%), and Gen Z (63%). Additionally, 78% of users reported buying produce more often since starting treatment.

Beyond healthier choices, users also enjoyed cost savings by cutting back on snack foods like candy, cookies, and chips. On average, they saved $1,332 per year, with Britons saving more (£1,173) than Americans ($1,140).

Though Gen Z spends less on unhealthy snacks than other generations, those using weight-loss medications have still saved $648 per year by skipping candy, cookies, and chips.

Across generations, these changes show a shift toward healthy eating for weight loss as people prioritise fresher, nutrient-rich foods over processed items.

Shopping While Hungry

For many people on weight-loss medications, shopping trips now come with a key difference: they're less likely to shop while hungry, which can significantly reduce impulse buys.

Nearly half of Americans and Britons alike (49%) shop while hungry, with impulse buys making up about a quarter of their purchases — 26% for Brits or 24% for Americans.

Consumers taking weight-loss medications were 40% less likely to hit the aisles hungry, which has helped them reduce impulse buying and save money.

By avoiding hunger-driven shopping trips, Americans saved around $94 per month, or $1,128 annually. Britons saw similar benefits, pocketing about £61 per month or £732 annually by cutting back on impulse buys.

A New Kind of Shopping Experience

For those on weight-loss medications, grocery shopping has taken on a new shape, marked by healthier choices, smarter spending, and reduced temptation to impulse buy. The benefits of weight-loss medications extend beyond physical changes, supporting a lifestyle that encourages mindful spending and a balanced diet. As this trend continues, it will be interesting to see how these new patterns influence long-term grocery habits and the choices consumers make for their health and well-being.

Methodology

We surveyed 544 Americans and 462 Britons to explore how weight-loss medications are reshaping grocery shopping behaviors. Among them, 40% were on a diet and taking GLP-1 weight-loss medication like Ozempic, Wegovy, etc. The generational breakdown was Gen Z (13%), millennials (49%), Gen X (30%), and baby boomers (9%). The data was collected in October 2024.

About Levity

At Levity, we help you achieve lasting weight loss through an evidence-based approach that includes personalized support and clinically proven treatments like GLP-1 medications. Our team of US-based clinicians and registered dietitians are here to guide you with care, ensuring your journey is as smooth and effective as possible.

Fair Use Statement

You may reuse our data about how weight-loss medications are changing grocery shopping in a noncommercial context as long as you acknowledge our research and link to this page.