For millions in the UK, weight-loss injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro have revolutionised the fight against obesity, making reduced appetite a tangible reality. These GLP-1 agonist drugs have swiftly altered medical approaches to weight management and challenged long-held beliefs about willpower. However, their remarkable success brings a critical question to the forefront: what occurs when treatment ceases?
The Rebound Challenge After Stopping Medication
Individuals discontinue GLP-1 medications for various reasons, including cost, side-effects, or achieving a target weight. As more people seek to taper off or find alternatives, the issue of weight regain becomes paramount. Long-term studies reveal a stark pattern: after stopping these drugs, people regain more than half of the weight they lost. This rebound, driven by the body's powerful physiological push to restore lost mass, may be particularly pronounced with GLP-1 drugs due to their interaction with appetite hormones.
Evidence indicates that the body's natural release of the satiety hormone GLP-1 after meals may diminish post-treatment, either through faster breakdown or reduced sensitivity. The consequence is a swift return of hunger, turning weight maintenance into a significant struggle. This creates an urgent need for sustainable strategies to support the body after medication.
The Humble Egg: A Natural Appetite Regulator
Enter the simple egg, a dietary staple experiencing a resurgence in the UK, with around 37 million consumed daily – roughly three to four per person each week. Once subject to health concerns, eggs are now recognised for their high-quality protein, essential amino acids, vitamin D, and array of micronutrients. They also represent one of the most sustainable and affordable sources of animal protein.
Their relevance to post-GLP-1 therapy lies in their proven effect on satiety. Research consistently shows that eating eggs helps people feel fuller for longer and consume less at subsequent meals, a benefit observed even in those who are overweight or obese. This occurs because the protein in eggs stimulates the body's own release of GLP-1 while simultaneously suppressing the hunger hormone ghrelin.
In this way, eggs function as a natural, food-based GLP-1 agonist. The effect is enhanced when paired with fibre-rich foods like wholegrain toast, which further boosts GLP-1 release. This makes eggs a practical dietary tool to mimic some of the appetite control of injections, especially for those reducing their dose or stopping altogether.
Beyond Appetite: Preserving Muscle and Filling Nutrient Gaps
The role of eggs extends to those still on medication. Weight loss often involves losing muscle alongside fat, a risk heightened when appetite is severely suppressed by GLP-1 drugs. Maintaining muscle requires adequate protein intake, which can be challenging when eating less.
Studies associate protein intakes of approximately 1 gram per kilogram of body weight or higher with better muscle preservation. Eggs offer a convenient, portion-controlled solution to meet these targets when larger meals are unappealing.
Furthermore, eggs address common nutritional shortfalls. A 2025 study found individuals on GLP-1 drugs often lacked key nutrients like calcium, iron, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, D, E, and K. Given the UK population's general risk of low vitamin D intake, particularly in winter, and potential pre-existing deficiencies in those with obesity, eggs present a cost-effective nutritional safeguard.
While eggs are not 'nature's Wegovy,' their combined impact on appetite regulation, muscle-supporting protein, and dense nutrition is significant. As Associate Professor of Nutrition Adam Collins from the University of Surrey notes, whether considering, using, or planning an exit from GLP-1 drugs, this everyday food could prove to be a quiet yet powerful ally in the long-term journey of weight management.
