For millions in the UK, weight-loss injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro have revolutionised obesity treatment, making reduced calorie intake feel more manageable. These GLP-1 agonist drugs have rapidly changed medical and public perceptions of appetite and willpower. However, a critical question now emerges for a growing number of users: what occurs when the treatment stops?
The Rebound Challenge After Medication
Individuals cease using GLP-1 medications for various reasons, including cost, side-effects, or achieving a target weight. Consequently, many are seeking strategies to taper off the injections or replicate their effects through diet. Long-term research indicates a stark reality: upon stopping the drugs, people regain more than half of the weight they lost.
This rebound effect is a core issue with most weight-loss methods. The body physiologically resists weight loss, increasing hunger and adjusting metabolism to promote regain. Evidence suggests this rebound may be particularly potent after GLP-1 drugs due to their interaction with appetite hormones. The body's natural release of the satiety hormone GLP-1 after meals may diminish, either through faster breakdown or reduced sensitivity, leading to a swift return of hunger.
The Humble Egg: A Natural Appetite Regulator
This is where a simple dietary addition might offer support. The humble egg, a long-standing staple, is gaining attention from nutrition scientists. In the UK, approximately 37 million eggs are consumed daily, equating to roughly three to four per person each week.
Eggs are a nutrient-dense food, providing high-quality protein containing all essential amino acids, vitamin D, and a range of other micronutrients. Historically debated, health concerns around eggs have largely faded with modern evidence. Their benefits for weight management are linked to their pronounced effect on satiety.
Studies consistently show that eating eggs helps people feel fuller for longer and reduces subsequent meal intake, including in individuals who are overweight. This occurs because the protein in eggs triggers the release of the body's own GLP-1 while suppressing the hunger hormone ghrelin. In this way, eggs act as a natural, food-based GLP-1 agonist. The effect is enhanced when paired with fibre-rich foods like wholegrain toast, which further stimulates GLP-1 release.
Supporting Muscle and Nutrient Intake
Eggs also play a vital role for individuals still taking GLP-1 medications. Weight loss often involves losing muscle mass alongside fat, a risk heightened when appetite is severely suppressed. Maintaining muscle requires sufficient protein intake, which can be challenging when eating very little.
Research associates protein intakes of around 1 gram per kilogram of body weight or higher with better muscle preservation. Eggs offer a practical, portion-controlled method to meet these targets when larger meals are unappealing.
Furthermore, eggs address common nutritional shortfalls. A 2025 study found people on GLP-1 drugs often lacked key nutrients, including calcium, iron, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, D, E, and K. The UK population is also at general risk of low vitamin D intake. Eggs provide a cost-effective source of several of these nutrients, which is crucial as obesity itself can be associated with deficiencies in elements like vitamin E, selenium, and zinc.
Associate Professor of Nutrition Adam Collins from the University of Surrey notes that while eggs are not a direct substitute for pharmaceutical interventions, their impact on appetite, protein quality, and overall nutrition is significant. As more people transition off powerful GLP-1 medications, everyday foods like eggs could become a quiet yet important ally in the long-term strategy for maintaining weight and health.
