Smoothie King Launches 'GLP-1 Support Menu': Essential Information for Those on Obesity Medications

Smoothie King just launched a new 'GLP-1 Support Menu' made specifically for people who take glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for weight loss and diabetes, such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

The five-item menu aims to help customers achieve their weight loss or weight management goals with ingredients that support satiety and muscle mass, as each smoothie has at least 20 grams of protein, 0 grams of added sugar, and is rich in fiber.

Smoothie King developed the GLP-1 Support Menu with the help of Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD, a registered dietitian with Ochsner Health, to keep up with heath trends and the growing popularity of GLP-1 drugs. Recent survey data shows that one in eight Americans say they have taken a GLP-1 drug, including 6% of U.S. adults who are currently taking one of these medications.

“We know that every individual’s path is different, and with the rising use of GLP-1 medications across the country and our customer base, we want to ensure that Smoothie King provides the nutritional resources to match,' Wan Kim, CEO of Smoothie King, said in a press release.

So what's in these smoothies? And how much can they really support people on GLP-1 medications? Here's what experts had to say.

When Kimball and her team at Ochsner Health set out to create the GLP-1 Support Menu, they started by interviewing nearly 70 experts on GLP-1 medications, including obesity medical specialists and weight loss dietitians, Kimball said.

They asked the healthcare providers for some of the biggest nutritional challenges and deficiencies they see for their patients on GLP-1 drugs, and the responses pointed to consistent muscle loss and a lack of protein, fruits, and vegetables.

With this in mind, Kimball said they packed the GLP-1 Support smoothies with protein, fruits, and veggies, and included no added sugar.

Kimball said the idea was to create a nutritional alternative to the high-carb snacks, like crackers and pretzels, people typically reach for in a pinch. “If you’re having real food, and it’s quality nutrition, we’re not saying remove that and have this instead,' Kimball said. 'But when you’re not having that, this can be a really nice way to fill in any of those gaps.”

Kimball also stressed that these smoothies are not only for people taking GLP-1 medications, and can be a healthy addition to anyone's diet. 'If someone is on GLP-1 or not, that entire panel of the Smoothie King menu board is a really good fit nutritionally,' she said.

The GLP-1 Support Menu includes five smoothies, all with 0 grams of added sugar. Here is the breakdown of each smoothie's ingredients and macronutrients:

The smoothies on the GLP-1 Support Menu are reasonable meal-replacement options for someone trying to manage or lose weight, Richard Siegel, MD, endocrinologist and co-director of the Diabetes and Lipid Center at Tufts Medical Center, told Health.

When Siegel counsels patients for medical weight loss, he said he recommends a diet high in protein and fiber, because the two macronutrients, especially fiber, make you feel full—and the smoothies are rich in both.

“I definitely encourage the overall eating plan to be as plant-based and unprocessed as people are able and willing to go, so it’s nice to see [the smoothies] have a fair amount of fruits and vegetables,' Siegel added.

Siegel also said the smoothies may be a good choice for someone experiencing side effects of GLP-1 drugs because they're low in fat. To avoid common side effects—such as stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea—Siegel tells his patients to eat smaller portions and less fat to support digestion. 'Fat can slow how the stomach empties,' Siegel explained.

One potential drawback of the menu Siegel noted was the liquid nature of the smoothies, cautioning people to drink slowly. “GLP-1 and other anti-hunger hormones kick in 15-20 minutes after you start eating,' Seigel said. 'The process of chewing definitely slows things down.”

Seigel also said he would not necessarily recommend the smoothies for all three meals in a given day, as he encourages patients to broaden their diets. Still, 'if people are working on overall, long-term weight management and weight loss,' he said, 'these seem OK to me.'