Exploring Nutrient Density in the GLP-1 Era
Solutions for Food Manufacturers
Chapters:
GLP-Use is Reshaping the Weight Loss Landscape........ 4
How GLP-1s Work and the Role of Nutrient Density..........6
Consumer Demand is Growing for Nutrient-Dense Foods.....................................................................8
How GLP-1 Use is Impacting Purchasing Trends.................10
Glanbia’s Targeted Nutrient-Dense Solutions and Innovations...................................................................................14
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Widespread and growing GLP-1 use for weight loss and metabolic health is reshaping the food industry. As GLP-1 users reduce their overall consumption and transition away from calorie-dense products, it is driving a demand for nutrient-dense foods. With consumers eating less, every bite must deliver more—especially protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals—to help support their satiety, energy, muscles, and bones. Purchasing trends confirm this shift, with GLP-1 users embracing protein-enhanced options across many categories, including ready-to-drink protein shakes, protein cereal, protein
powders, protein bars, and protein-enhanced sweet bakery products and savory snacks. Recognizing nutrient density as a critical market differentiator, Glanbia is proactively leading the way with innovative solutions that help the food industry meet evolving consumer needs in the era of widespread GLP-1 usage. In the GLP-1 era, nutrient density is both a health essential and a market opportunity, positioning forward-thinking brands for growth.
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GLP-1 Use is Reshaping the Weight Loss Landscape
The emergence of GLP-1 medications is changing the conversation around health and nutrition. Globally, nearly half (46%) of consumers want to lose weight.1 While they have been taking action, many are struggling to achieve their goals. Over half (55%) of consumers consider their dieting efforts to be either unsuccessful or uncertain, with more than one-third (36%) having attempted to lose weight three times or more in the past three years.2
These figures highlight the profound significance of the new GLP-1 medications, which lead to notable improvements in metabolic health and rapid weight loss. More than one-quarter of consumers globally are willing to try these new weight loss medications, with strong interest across genders, income brackets, and regions.3
Consumers Interested in Trying the New Weight Loss Drugs
By Region
By Generation
By Household Income
By Gender
North America
Middle East & Africa
Central & South America
Asia & Australasia
Europe
28%
35%
31%
29%
Gen Z
Low
Male
Gen X
High
Millennials
Medium
Female
Boomers
27%
26%
25%
30%
33%
16%
24%
Source: Global Data, 2024 Q3 Global Consumer Survey, 2024
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How GLP-1s Work and the Role of Nutrient Density
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...every bite has to work harder to deliver the nutrition the body needs to maintain muscle mass, protect bone health, and support energy levels.”
GLP-1 medications (also called GLP-1 receptor agonists or GLP-1 RAs) mimic the action of the body’s own GLP-1 hormone, which plays a key role in regulating appetite and blood sugar. By binding to GLP-1 receptors (located in the pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, and brain), these medications trigger a cascade of effects that lead to weight loss and improved metabolic health. GLP-1s support weight loss through multiple mechanisms:
Stimulating the release of insulin while suppressing glucagon Preventing the liver from releasing too much glucose into the blood Slowing digestion to prolong feelings of fullness Activating appetite-regulating regions of the brain to reduce hunger signals and promote satiety
Together, these effects can result in meaningful weight reduction within a relatively short timeframe, often accompanied by improvements in insulin sensitivity and blood pressure. For individuals with Type 2 diabetes, these medications can also provide greater metabolic control. Beyond the clinical outcomes, weight loss itself contributes to better mobility, higher energy levels, and improved confidence. The most common side effects of GLP-1s are gastrointestinal in nature, but some people can experience muscle loss, reduced bone density, or fatigue.
Since GLP-1s slow digestion and reduce overall appetite, people tend to consume fewer calories throughout the day. This means every bite has to work harder to deliver the nutrition the body needs to maintain muscle mass, protect bone health, and support energy levels. This is why nutrient-dense foods have an essential role in the diets of GLP-1 users, as well as weight management-focused consumers more broadly. Choosing nutrient-dense options ensures that even with reduced food intake, individuals can meet their macronutrient and micronutrient needs, which can help minimize the risks of nutrient deficiencies, muscle and bone loss, and fatigue. Nutrient density refers to the amount of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients a food provides relative to its calorie content. Beyond supporting physical health, nutrient-dense foods also support satiety, making it easier to sustain dietary changes and achieve long-term success with weight management.
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Consumer Demand is Growing for Nutrient-Dense Foods
Vegetables and/or fruits
61%
Meat
40%
Whole grains and/or oats
Eggs
Fish and/or seafood
Nuts, seeds, and/or legumes
Low-calorie, diet, or weight-loss foods
17%
Hydration or electrolyte drinks or powders
13%
Sports drinks
12%
11%
Dairy products
9%
Categories GLP-1 Users Are Advised to Consume More of
Source: Glanbia, GLP-1 Usage & Attitude Study, 2024-2025
There is a rapidly growing demand for nutrient-dense foods and beverages as GLP-1 users adjust their diets to prioritize nutrient density. This shift is occurring as these consumers realize which types of foods and beverages work best to support their overall health (including minimizing GLP-1 side effects), energy levels, and exercise habits.
However, dietary recommendations also play a role, with many GLP-1 users reporting they have been advised to eat more foods within certain categories, including vegetables and fruits (61%), meat (40%), whole grains and oats (34%), eggs (33%), fish and seafood (31%), and nuts, seeds, and legumes (30%), highlighting a strong focus on protein and fiber.4
Plant-based meat
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How GLP-1 Use is Impacting Purchasing Trends
Households with one or more GLP-1 users are spending less overall on groceries, and specifically less on calorie-dense, processed foods like chips and cookies.”
The rise of GLP-1 use and its influence on consumers’ dietary needs is having a measurable impact on food and beverage consumption habits and purchases. Households with one or more GLP-1 users are spending less overall on groceries, and specifically less on calorie-dense, processed foods like chips and cookies. They also exhibit a slight increase in spending on fresh produce and yogurt. In Glanbia’s proprietary usage and attitude study, commissioned to gain a deeper understanding of consumers’ changing dietary habits, 81% of GLP-1 users reported a change in how much they eat, while 61% noted a change in the types of food they eat.5
In addition, the top three changes these consumers made to their diets since they started taking GLP-1 medications were 1) reducing the quantity they consume, 2) decreasing their sugar intake, and 3) consuming more protein.6
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Source: Glanbia, Consumer Pulse Survey, 2024
Protein Powder
Protein/Energy bars
Protein Cookies/Brownies
47%
20%
46%
19%
% Of Consumers Who Have Increased Their Consumption Compared to Last Year by Protein Products
Reduce quantities consumed
69%
Reduce sugar/look for low sugar
53%
Increase protein
42%
Consume less processed/ packaged foods and beverages
38%
Make sure I’m hydrated
Monitor/count calories
Increase fiber
21%
Protein is the stand-out nutrient GLP-1 users are consuming more of, with these consumers significantly increasing their consumption across all protein product categories (outpacing non-users by more than 20% in overall increased consumption).7
This indicates that GLP-1 users are playing a pivotal role in the protein market, driving demand for a diverse range of protein-enhanced products, including protein powders, protein bars, ready-to-drink protein shakes, and protein-enhanced breakfast cereals, as well as cookies/brownies, and snacks.8
67%
Non-User
Current GLP-1 User
0%
10%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Protein-enhanced Breakfast Cereal
Ready-to-drink Protein Shake
Protein-enhaced Snacks
58%
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Glanbia’s Targeted Nutrient-Dense Solutions and Innovations
Fortifying products with protein, as well as fiber, vitamins, minerals, and functional ingredients targeting weight management-focused consumers, is a sound strategy to meet the new needs of the large and growing GLP-1 user population. Healthy snacks, in particular, provide a versatile option that aligns with consumers’ busy lifestyles, as convenient and portable formats are easy to enjoy as quick snacks throughout the day, whether at work, in class, at the gym, or on the go. Favorite product categories for weight management nutrition include:
Protein and nutrition bars Protein cereal Better-for-you sweet bakery products (e.g., protein muffins and cookies) Savory protein snacks (e.g., protein chips and crackers) Ready-to-drink beverages (e.g., protein shakes and functional waters) Yogurt (spoonable and drinkable) Protein powders Hydration stick packs
To formulate these and other nutrient-dense products, Glanbia offers a wide range of targeted nutrition solutions, such as: Protein Fortifying Functional Solutions Dairy and plant-based functional proteins* optimized for RTDs, baked goods, yogurt, bars, and snacks for ideal texture, taste, and stability.
• Spotlight: Crunchie™ Semi-Finished Extruded Protein Pieces (crunchy high protein inclusions and pieces)
Vitamin and Mineral Solutions From sourcing quality vitamins and minerals to formulating them into your own unique premix solution, we have all of your nutrient needs covered.
• Spotlight: Hydration-Focused Premixes – a blend of essential electrolytes like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and more, crafted to ensure it works great in your end product.
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1-2. FMCG Gurus Custom Survey Global and Regional Weight Management, May 2025.
3. Global Data, 2024 Q3 Global Consumer Survey, 2024.
4-6. Glanbia, GLP-1 Usage & Attitude Study, 2024-2025.
7-8. Glanbia, Consumer Pulse Survey, 2024.
References
Bioactive Solutions Highly effective science-based and health beneficial bioactive ingredients that provide support for many areas, including muscles and maintaining a healthy weight.
• Spotlight: Prolibra®** - a whey fraction high in leucine and bioactive peptides shown to support lean muscle during weight loss
Fiber Solutions Sourced from flaxseed and chia*, we have quality plant-based solutions that can add a good source of fiber to any end product.
• Spotlight: BevFlax™# - combines excellent stability and a smooth mouthfeel with the exceptional nutritional value of protein, fiber, and ALA Omega-3.
Employing nutrient-dense solutions can provide brands with a competitive advantage and support future growth by addressing the needs of GLP-1 users and other weight management-focused consumers. Offering innovative ingredients and collaboration from concept to commercialization, Glanbia is your go-to partner in the GLP-1 era.
Providing functional proteins, vitamin and mineral premixes, hydration solutions, and unique bioactives for weight management, Glanbia has the ingredients and expertise to deliver high-quality, on-trend weight management solutions. Contact Glanbia for more details about pioneering nutrient-dense solutions made for GLP-1 users.
* available brands and sources vary per region ** not available in EMEA # not available in ASPAC
