Foods Labeled ‘GLP-1 Friendly’ Are Coming to a Freezer Aisle Near You
The new packaging, intended to benefit semaglutide users, will be rolled out in January — but experts say “it will be up to users to read the label.”
Food & Wine / Conagra Brands / Getty Images
Few medications have fascinated the public like GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs that includes Ozempic and Wegovy. Research shows that these medications can cause significant weight loss in users, who now make up a reported 12% of the population. Now, one major frozen food brand is marketing its products toward GLP-1 receptor agonist users.
Conagra Brands recently announced that the company will add an “On Track” badge to 26 of its Healthy Choice frozen food items. This suggests that the products are high in protein, low calorie, and a good source of fiber, making them “GLP-1 friendly,” per the brand. The badge, which lists the amount of fiber per serving, along with the phrase “GLP-1 Friendly,” is designed to help shoppers easily find options to suit their needs, Conagra Brands said in a press release. (A publicist for Conagra Brands did not respond to our request for comment by deadline.)
But why do patients on these medications need to focus on certain foods? A dietitian and two doctors who treat patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists explain.
Which foods are impacted?
The “On Track” badge will appear on a number of Healthy Choice Café Steamers and Simply Steamers foods sold at major retailers across the country, including Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Albertsons. You can also find them online at Amazon.com and Walmart.com, with the new packaging rolling out in January.
These foods will have the “On Track” badge, according to Conagra:
What do experts think of this?
Experts are generally in favor of this move, although most say it’s surprising. “It’s important to note that these Healthy Choice products weren’t made specifically for GLP-1 users — they’re just being badged as appropriate for GLP-1 users,” says Alexandra Sowa, MD, an internal medicine doctor specializing in preventative health, nutrition, and obesity medicine and the author of the forthcoming book The Ozempic Revolution. What actually designates foods as being helpful for GLP-1 receptor agonists “is up for debate, as there are limited guidelines on what that actually means,” Sowa says.
But Mir Ali, MD, a bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, calls this a “good idea.”
Related: Smoothie King's 5 New Drinks Are Aimed at GLP-1 Users
“No matter what people do to lose weight, whether it’s through medications, surgery, or being mindful of their diet and exercise, what they eat is the most important thing,” he says. “If there’s a way to help people figure it out, I’m all for it.”
Jessica Cording, RD, a nutritionist and the author of The Little Book of Game-Changers, calls the move “fascinating from a marketing standpoint,” adding, “I'm trying to think of another time a medication was on a food product or label. I can't.”
What foods are best for people on GLP-1 receptor agonists?
Medications like GLP-1 receptor agonists help tamp down on feelings of hunger and slow digestion, Ali says. “But the majority of weight loss is about food, and eating the right things is important, no matter what you do,” he says.
That’s why Ali recommends that all of his weight loss patients focus on eating plenty of protein and vegetables. “Stick to protein and vegetables; Minimize carbs and sugars,” he said. “That puts your body into a fat-burning mode and you will see more results.”
Related: Why Mediterranean Cuisine Is More Than Just a Diet — And Why People Love It
Protein also helps to build, repair, and retain muscle mass, which can easily be lost when people lose weight quickly, Cording says. She also suggests prioritizing fiber and fluids to help support good digestive health and lower the risk of constipation.
Sowa expects more companies to add a similar label to their products. “But I worry that this is such a hot topic that we will see many brands hop on the bandwagon…with very little to no regulation,” she says. “It will be up to users to read the label.”
Ultimately, if you’re on a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication, Ali says it’s important to talk to your prescribing doctor about dietary recommendations. They should be able to offer personalized guidance to help you have the best chance of success.
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