Households with a weight-loss drug user are saving more than £400 a year on grocery bills, according to new research that shows use of GLP-1 medications such as Mounjaro and Wegovy has nearly tripled in two years. The study by Worldpanel by Numerator found that 6.3% of British households now include at least one GLP-1 user, up from 4.1% in 2025 and 2.3% in 2024.
The survey of more than 11,600 households revealed that in the year after starting the drugs, households with a GLP-1 user spent £780 million less on groceries than expected compared with similar households. This equates to a £418 drop in grocery spending per user household, with 299 million fewer items bought during the analysis period in February.
More than half (52%) of GLP-1 users described their eating as “mindful”, guided by hunger rather than habit. Over half (54%) reported fewer cravings and less “food noise”, while 11% said they no longer enjoyed their usual favourite foods or drinks. Three-quarters (75%) ate less chocolate and 72% reduced crisp consumption, with chocolate confectionery spend falling 18 percentage points more in user households.
The impact extends beyond home eating: 40% of users wanted smaller restaurant portions, and over a quarter (26%) requested a GLP-1-friendly menu section. A common side effect, dry mouth and bad breath known as “Ozempic mouth”, led to increased purchases of mouthwash (up 20 percentage points) and chewing gum (up 24 percentage points) in user households.
Chantel Kennaugh, head of public sector and nutrition GB for Worldpanel by Numerator, said: “What was once a specialised treatment, primarily prescribed for type 2 diabetes, has in just a few short years become a mainstream force. These drugs are fundamentally disrupting how people engage with food and drink, forcing brands and businesses to adapt at pace.”
Some retailers have responded: Marks & Spencer introduced a range of “nutrient-dense” food in January, and Ocado created a virtual “weight management” aisle. However, cost remains a barrier, with 41% of users reporting they stopped taking the medication in 2026 due to price.
