The Future of Food in a Weight Loss Era

How GLP-1 Drugs Are Changing Food, Farming & Nutrition

I recently attended an AgriFood conference in Brisbane (yes, alongside running Roam, I still work a full-time job). One panel discussion caught my attention, and I thought it was worth sharing with you.

The topic? GLP-1 drugs—prescription medications used for appetite regulation—and how they might reshape our food system, from what we grow to what we eat.

I’m not here to debate the ethics of GLP-1 drugs. Some see them as a breakthrough in managing metabolic health (I found this article by Dr F. Perry Wilson from Yale School of Medicine particularly fascinating). Others argue that they represent a shortcut to avoiding necessary lifestyle changes.

Regardless of where you stand, one thing is clear: GLP-1 drugs are here to stay.

A Global Challenge

Excess weight affects 1 in 8 people worldwide—a number that one of the panellists described as a growing health crisis. It’s also an economic issue.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported the hidden costs of food systems, including environmental damage, undernutrition, and health-related expenses.

The total? Up to US$12 trillion.

And the biggest contributor? Healthcare costs linked to poor diets—US$9 trillion.

That frames the scale of the problem. Now, back to GLP-1 drugs.

How GLP-1 Drugs Are Changing Eating Habits

These medications influence appetite, leading to lower overall food intake. But they do more than that—they change the way people think about food.

Most individuals using GLP-1 drugs report a significant reduction in overall food consumption. These medications contain peptide hormones that slow digestion, leading to prolonged feelings of fullness.

Originally developed for blood sugar regulation, they are now widely used for metabolic health management. Of course, they come with side effects—some people experience nausea, fatigue, or digestive discomfort. And in some countries, they’re expensive. That hasn’t stopped adoption, though. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 10% of the population has either used or is currently using these medications.

And that shift has happened in just two years.

A Thought Experiment: What If Half Of Americans Used GLP-1 Drugs?

Currently, 42% of Americans are classified as having excess weight.

Let’s imagine a future where 50% of Americans—about 170 million people—use some form of GLP-1 drug.

How would that impact food production?

• Total calorie consumption would drop—by around 10% per user, which could translate to a 15-20% nationwide reduction (since families tend to eat together).
• That’s a huge shift in demand, with major implications for farmers, food companies, and supply chains.
• It could also lead to a 15-20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, making these medications an unexpected tool for sustainability efforts.

But what we eat would change, too:

• Less demand for sugar and alcohol – Studies show that people using these medications consume 25% less sugary snacks and alcohol.
• More demand for high-protein foods – These medications may impact muscle mass, increasing the need for protein-rich diets.
• Greater focus on gut health – Digestive side effects could make fibre and probiotics more popular.

The Future of Food – What Might Change?

As more people use GLP-1 drugs, we could see:

✅ More precision nutrition products – Foods tailored to specific dietary needs.
✅ A bigger focus on micronutrients – Since lower food intake increases the risk of nutrient deficiencies.
✅ Portion-controlled meals – The ‘supersize me’ era may be fading, even at fast-food chains.
✅ Higher demand for protein and fibre-rich foods – To help support muscle maintenance and digestive health.
✅ Declining alcohol sales – A trend that Millennials and Gen Z have already started.

What Does This Mean for Farmers? 🧑‍🌾

It’s easy to forget how deeply food production is tied to consumer habits. If overall calorie demand drops, so does the demand for staple crops like corn and soy. This could:

• Lower prices for commodity crops, pushing farmers to diversify or shift to higher-value produce.
• Redirect more crops to animal feed, especially if protein demand increases.
• Lead to long-term changes in food production, particularly in regions where GLP-1 usage is high.

GLP-1 Drugs in Australia & New Zealand

New Zealand still has limited access to these medications.

In Australia, numbers are harder to track, but monthly prescriptions range from 20,000 to 120,000—and demand is growing.

In the next 10 to 20 years, expect to see major transformations—in healthcare, food production, agriculture, and consumer habits.

GLP-1 drugs aren’t just shifting individual diets. They’re reshaping our entire relationship with food.