食品纷纷贴上「GLP-1 友好」标签：这到底是什么意思？

You’re halfway through your meal at dinner when your friend stops eating after two bites, saying food just isn’t as appealing as it used to be. Then, at the grocery store, you spot a cereal box with a new claim: “GLP-1-friendly.” With GLP-1 use in the United States reaching a new high, appetites, portion sizes, taste preferences, and buying habits are shifting widely.

“GLP-1 medications are changing how people make food decisions, eat, and how food companies are developing new products,” says Roxana Ehsani, RD, a sports dietitian based in Washington, D.C. The data backs this up: Households with at least one GLP-1 user cut grocery spending by 5.3 percent within six months of starting Ozempic or Wegovy, according to a 2025 study in the Journal of Marketing Research. Spending on savory snacks fell 10.1 percent, and spending at fast food restaurants and coffee shops dropped 8 percent.

Meet the Experts: Roxana Ehsani, RD, is a board-certified sports dietitian based in Washington, D.C. Qianzhi Jiang, PhD, is a pediatric and family dietitian at The Nutrition Changer in Natick, Massachusetts.

And Big Food is taking notice. Brands are attempting to appeal to shoppers with a new “GLP-1-friendly” food label popping up on snacks, cereals, and even frozen meals. Ahead, experts break down what the label means and whether these foods can help you reach your weight-loss goals.

What the GLP-1-Friendly Label Actually Means

“Different manufacturers have different definitions of ‘GLP-1-friendly,’” says Qianzhi Jiang, PhD, a pediatric and family dietitian at The Nutrition Changer in Natick, Massachusetts. For example, Vital Pursuit's “GLP-1 friendly” frozen food line is “high in protein,” contains “one or more other essential nutrients,” and is a “good source of fiber,” per the website. (Most of their products have around 30 grams of protein and 17 g of fiber per meal.) Daily Harvest has a line of “GLP-1-friendly” smoothies that are “calorie-conscious” and also claim to be “high in fiber” (about 3 to 6 g per smoothie). Across the board, the brands also emphasize smaller portion sizes, since people on GLP-1s naturally eat less.

However, the definition of “GLP-1-friendly” isn’t quite nailed down. Neither the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which regulate our food, has an official standard or definition for it, Ehsani says. However, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has given some brands—like Nestlé and Conagra—approval to use the “GLP-1-friendly” label, per the Associated Press.

Essentially, the USDA "evaluates products bearing 'GLP-1 friendly' claims under its existing regulations for products represented as useful for weight loss or maintenance," according to a USDA spokesperson. “These regulations require labels to explain the basis for the claim, which may include a factual statement about a nutrient, such as ‘10g protein per serving,’ or a defined nutrient content claim, such as ‘good source of fiber.’” (Technically, brands that haven’t received USDA approval can’t use those labeling claims on their products.)

In theory, a GLP-1-friendly product should help you hit your protein and fiber goals and be nutrient-dense with vitamin D, calcium, and iron, according to experts. Some of the products above match that description. Still, given the lack of clear definition, the “GLP-1 friendly” label can be misleading, Ehsani says.

Make delicious, satiating meals with The Ultimate Protein + Fiber Guide

Plus, a single label doesn’t paint a full picture of a food’s quality. “Products with the label may still be high in sodium, saturated fat, or added sugars, so they aren’t necessarily the healthiest or best choice for someone on a GLP-1,” Ehsani says. Additionally, the label doesn’t take into account your portion size or individual dietary needs, Jiang says. A food might be “friendly” enough for some people, but not for others. “I don’t think there’s a single food that is—or is not—GLP-1-friendly,” Jiang adds.

How to Eat While Taking a GLP-1

Experts agree you don’t need to buy “GLP-1-friendly” products; you just need to follow a well-balanced diet. However, anyone taking a GLP-1 should work with a dietitian or team of health care professionals, Jiang says. If you’re managing blood sugar, insulin resistance, diabetes, or another chronic condition, consult your provider to make sure your diet is supportive for your body and lifestyle. As you get used to taking a GLP-1, it can also help to have specific strategies and schedules for eating, hydrating, and meal planning, all of which an expert can help you with, she adds.

Here are some quick tips for food shopping on a GLP-1:

Prioritize protein.

“Protein should be included to combat potential muscle loss,” Ehsani says. Individual protein needs can vary, but research suggests women need at least 1.2 g of protein per kilogram of body weight (0.55 g per pound) daily to preserve muscle, especially if you’re exercising regularly.

In general, aim for high-protein meals and snacks throughout the day. Ehsani recommends eating lean proteins like beef, turkey, chicken, eggs, and dairy products. Additionally, GLP-1s can put you at risk for dehydration from eating and drinking less and from GI side effects (like diarrhea and vomiting)—but milk (including lactose-free dairy milk) can provide an extra boost of protein, fluid, and electrolytes, she says. Use it in your oatmeal, breakfast smoothie, or post-workout shake to ensure you’re getting vitamin D and calcium to help prevent bone loss and nutrient deficiencies from the GLP-1.

Choose fiber-rich foods.

Getting enough fiber helps prevent constipation, a common side effect of being on a GLP-1, Ehsani says. However, around 90 percent of Americans don’t get enough fiber, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The general recommendation is 25 g daily for women under 50, and 21 g per day for women over 50.

Our Favorite High-Protein, High-Fiber Snacks

To help, increase your fiber intake gradually, since adding too much too fast can worsen GI symptoms, Ehsani says. You can track how much fiber you’re eating through an app or the USDA website, or focus on how you feel day-to-day instead. (For example, it’s considered healthy to have at least one bowel movement a day, but over four times a day and you might be overdoing it on fiber.)

Beans, nuts, seeds, and lentils are all good choices—and don’t forget about the good ol’ produce aisle. “Fruits and vegetables are fiber-rich and also provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support immune health,” Ehsani says.

Hydration Check
Because GLP-1s can curb your hunger and thirst cues, staying hydrated is even more crucial—especially when increasing fiber. The

National Academy of Medicine

suggests about 15.5 cups of total daily fluids for men, and about 11.5 cups for women.

To increase your intake, sip fluids throughout the day, add fruits to your water, or shop for foods with

high water content

(like soups, smoothies, fruits, and veggies). Most people don’t need a dedicated electrolyte drink, but it can be helpful if you’re losing fluid through vomiting or diarrhea while taking GLP-1s, Ehsani says.

Get strategic with carbs.

It’s natural to watch your carb intake if you’re taking a GLP-1 to manage blood sugar—but that doesn’t mean skipping them altogether. Instead, pair them with a source of protein, fiber, or healthy fat to help lower blood sugar and keep you fuller for longer, Jiang says. For example, eat toast with avocado and egg, rice with protein and veggies, crackers with cheese, or yogurt with granola. “This is not about restriction, it’s about expansion. Think: What can you add?” Jiang says.

By the way, packaged foods don’t have to be completely off-limits—you can still enjoy them a few times a week. Just make sure to read the nutrition label and try to pick products that, ideally, are high in protein and fiber and low in saturated fat and added sugars.

The next time that cereal box catches your eye, remember: “GLP-1-friendly” is a marketing tool, and nutrition is about more than any single label. “It’s very interesting that the landscape of our food industry, our restaurants, and how things are marketed are very much influenced by a medication that some people take,” Jiang says. GLP-1 culture may be hard to ignore, but it doesn’t have to rule every trip to the grocery store.

Tianna is the former associate health and wellness editor at Women’s Health. Her writing on wellness and relationships has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Elite Daily, Glamour, mindbodygreen, and more. She holds a M.A. in clinical psychology in education from Columbia University and is a certified yoga instructor. When she’s not writing, you can find her traveling, trying new workout classes, and speaking with audiences about mental health.