According to Gram Research analysis, people with obesity purchase significantly more salty foods and animal protein but fewer fruits and vegetables compared to normal-weight shoppers. A 2026 study of 148 Swiss grocery store shoppers found that when people with obesity started GLP-1 weight-loss medications, their shopping improved for the first 5 months with increased purchases of healthy foods, but by 10 months their patterns returned to pre-treatment levels. This suggests that medication alone doesn’t permanently change food choices without additional nutrition support.
Researchers looked at what people with obesity buy at grocery stores compared to people with normal weight, and how their shopping habits change when taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic or Wegovy. Using loyalty card data from Swiss supermarkets, scientists tracked 56 people with obesity and 92 normal-weight people for up to two years. People with obesity bought more salty foods and animal protein, but fewer fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. When they started GLP-1 treatment, their shopping improved at first, but by 10 months, their purchases returned to old patterns. The findings suggest that medication alone may not permanently change what people choose to buy.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 148 Swiss grocery store shoppers found that people with obesity (average BMI 37.8) purchased significantly higher proportions of salty foods and animal protein compared to normal-weight controls (average BMI 22.0), while buying fewer fruits, vegetables, and whole foods.
In the same 2026 study of 56 people with obesity taking GLP-1 medications, food purchases improved within the first 5 months with increased fiber, fruits, and vegetables, but by 10 months their shopping patterns returned to pre-treatment levels, suggesting medication effects on food choices may not be sustained long-term.
A 2026 analysis of grocery loyalty card data from 56 people with obesity found no significant differences in food purchase patterns between high and low weight-loss responders to GLP-1 medications, except for greater salt purchases among low responders at 5 months.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether people with obesity buy different foods than people with normal weight, and whether GLP-1 weight-loss medications change what people purchase at grocery stores
- Who participated: 56 adults with obesity and 92 normal-weight adults in Switzerland who used grocery store loyalty cards. The obesity group had an average BMI of 37.8, while the normal-weight group had a BMI of 22.0
- Key finding: People with obesity purchased significantly more salty foods and animal protein but bought fewer fruits, vegetables, and whole foods compared to normal-weight shoppers. After starting GLP-1 medication, their shopping improved for the first 5 months, but returned to pre-treatment patterns by 10 months
- What it means for you: GLP-1 medications may help reduce appetite, but they don’t automatically change long-term shopping habits or food preferences. People taking these medications may need additional support like nutrition counseling to maintain healthier food choices beyond the first few months of treatment
The Research Details
Researchers used a clever method to study real-world food choices. They collected grocery store loyalty card data from two major Swiss supermarkets, tracking what 56 people with obesity and 92 normal-weight people actually purchased over 12 to 24 months. This real shopping data is more accurate than asking people to remember what they eat. For people with obesity taking GLP-1 medications, researchers compared their purchases before starting treatment, after 5 months, and after 10 months. They matched all purchases to a nutrition database to calculate nutrients like protein, salt, fiber, and vitamins. They also scored each person’s overall diet quality using established health measures.
Most nutrition research relies on people remembering what they ate, which is often inaccurate. Using actual grocery store purchases gives researchers a true picture of food choices. This approach also captures real-world behavior rather than what people say they do. By tracking the same people over time, researchers could see whether GLP-1 medications actually change shopping habits long-term, not just short-term weight loss
The study has important strengths: it used real purchase data instead of relying on memory, tracked people for up to two years, and compared people with obesity to a normal-weight control group. However, the study has limitations. The sample size was relatively small (148 people total), and the data came only from Switzerland, so results may not apply to other countries with different food cultures. The researchers could only see household-level purchases, not individual eating, so they couldn’t tell if one person in a household ate all the food or if it was shared
What the Results Show
People with obesity had distinctly different shopping patterns than normal-weight people. They purchased a higher proportion of their calories from protein, especially animal-based protein like meat and dairy. They also bought foods with significantly more salt. In contrast, they purchased smaller amounts of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole foods. When researchers scored overall diet quality using three different healthy eating measures, people with obesity scored lower on all of them. These differences were statistically significant, meaning they were unlikely to occur by chance. When people with obesity started taking GLP-1 medications, their shopping improved at first. Within the first 5 months, they increased their purchases of protein, fiber, fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed foods. This early improvement suggests the medications may initially help people make better food choices, possibly because they feel less hungry and have more mental energy to think about nutrition.
However, the improvement didn’t last. By 10 months of treatment, the shopping patterns of people taking GLP-1 medications returned to levels similar to before they started the medication. Their purchases of healthy foods decreased back to pre-treatment amounts. Interestingly, researchers found no major differences in shopping patterns between people who lost a lot of weight on GLP-1 medications and those who lost less weight. The only exception was that people who lost less weight increased their salt purchases more at the 5-month mark. This suggests that food choices alone don’t explain why some people respond better to these medications than others
This study adds new information to what we know about obesity and weight-loss medications. Previous research showed that GLP-1 medications reduce appetite and help people lose weight. This new study reveals that while these medications may help people make better food choices initially, the effect fades over time. The findings align with other research suggesting that medications work best when combined with behavioral support and nutrition counseling. The study also confirms earlier observations that people with obesity tend to purchase more processed, salty foods and fewer plant-based foods than normal-weight people
The study has several important limitations. First, the sample size was small, with only 56 people with obesity, which limits how confident we can be in the results. Second, the data came only from Switzerland, and food availability and shopping habits differ in other countries, so these findings may not apply everywhere. Third, researchers could only see what households purchased, not what individual people actually ate. If multiple people lived in one household, researchers couldn’t tell who ate what. Fourth, the study didn’t include information about whether people received nutrition counseling or other support while taking GLP-1 medications, which could have affected their shopping choices. Finally, the study was observational, meaning researchers watched what happened but didn’t control the conditions, so they couldn’t prove that GLP-1 medications caused the changes in shopping patterns
The Bottom Line
If you’re taking GLP-1 medications for weight loss, use the first 5 months as a window of opportunity to build better eating habits. Work with a registered dietitian or nutritionist to develop a sustainable meal plan that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while limiting salt. The research suggests that medication alone won’t maintain healthy shopping patterns long-term, so combining medication with nutrition education and behavioral support is important. Confidence level: Moderate. The evidence shows this approach makes sense based on the study findings, though more research is needed to confirm the best strategies
This research is most relevant for people with obesity considering or currently taking GLP-1 medications, their healthcare providers, and nutrition professionals. It’s also important for people who want to understand how weight-loss medications work and their limitations. People with normal weight don’t need to change their behavior based on this study. Healthcare systems and insurance companies should note that GLP-1 medications may benefit from being paired with nutrition counseling to improve long-term outcomes
Based on this research, expect to see improvements in your grocery shopping within the first 5 months of starting GLP-1 medication. However, without additional support and habit-building, these improvements may fade by 10 months. To maintain healthier food choices long-term, plan to work with a nutrition professional starting within the first month of treatment and continue for at least 6 to 12 months
Frequently Asked Questions
Do GLP-1 medications like Ozempic change what people buy at the grocery store?
GLP-1 medications appear to improve grocery shopping for the first 5 months, with people buying more fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. However, a 2026 study found these improvements fade by 10 months, suggesting medication alone doesn’t permanently change food choices without additional nutrition support.
What foods do people with obesity typically buy compared to normal-weight people?
Research shows people with obesity purchase significantly more salty foods and animal-based protein but fewer fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole foods. They also score lower on diet quality measures compared to normal-weight shoppers.
Should I combine GLP-1 medication with nutrition counseling for better results?
This study suggests combining medication with nutrition support is important. While GLP-1 medications initially help improve food choices, the benefits fade without ongoing behavioral support. Working with a dietitian can help maintain healthier shopping habits long-term.
Why do some people lose more weight on GLP-1 medications than others?
This study found no major differences in food purchases between high and low weight-loss responders, suggesting factors beyond grocery shopping choices affect medication response. Individual metabolism, adherence, and other lifestyle factors likely play important roles.
How long do the benefits of better food choices last on GLP-1 medication?
A 2026 study tracking 56 people with obesity found improved shopping patterns lasted about 5 months before returning to pre-treatment levels. This suggests the need for ongoing nutrition education and behavioral strategies to maintain healthy food choices beyond the initial treatment period.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your grocery purchases weekly by photographing receipts or logging food categories purchased. Specifically monitor: servings of fruits and vegetables, whole grain products, processed foods, and sodium content. Compare your purchases month-to-month to identify patterns and celebrate improvements
- Set a specific goal to increase one healthy food category each week. For example, week 1 focus on adding one new vegetable to your shopping list, week 2 add a whole grain product, week 3 add a plant-based protein source. Use the app to create a shopping list before you go to the store, which helps you stick to healthier choices and avoid impulse purchases of salty or processed foods
- Create a monthly dashboard showing your food purchase patterns across four categories: protein sources, produce, whole foods, and processed foods. Set reminders to review your purchases every 4 weeks. If you notice your healthy purchases declining after month 5 or 6, schedule a check-in with a nutrition professional or increase your app engagement with meal planning features
This research describes patterns in grocery store purchases and does not establish that GLP-1 medications directly cause changes in food choices. These findings are based on a small sample from Switzerland and may not apply to other populations or countries. GLP-1 medications should only be used under medical supervision and as prescribed by a healthcare provider. This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Consult your doctor or registered dietitian before making changes to your diet or medication regimen. Individual results vary, and the long-term effects of these medications are still being studied.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.