By admin 
Being a food writer can be great. After all, I get paid to eat. However, it does have its darker side.
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My middle-aged metabolism has had trouble keeping up for a while now, and with the added pressure of job-related dining, my weight was creeping in the wrong direction.
Working with my physician, I have been taking a GLP-1 drug, specifically Zepbound, for several weeks.
For the uninitiated, GLP-1 drugs mimic an enzyme that naturally occurs in the gut. They effectively slow down the digestive tract, so you feel full much more quickly, and stay that way longer.
Some side effects are normal. Since the drug slows the entire digestive system, there are, shall we say, downstream effects. Suffice to say that I take fiber supplements daily.
I’ve been fortunate. For the most part, I have been spared the more unpleasant side effects that can come with the medication. I have had some occasional cramping and queasiness, but it’s been pretty mild and tolerable.
That’s this time around. Several months ago, I tried a different drug, an oral pill of Wegovy, and it did not go well. I experienced extreme fatigue, brain fog, body aches and more. After three weeks of being miserably sick, I took myself off the medication. It took a while after that before I could summon the courage to start Zepbound.
Zepbound doesn’t completely quash your appetite. I do get hungry, but when I eat, I feel full pretty quickly. . Sometimes just a few bites will do it.
Of course, I still have to eat professionally. Consequently, when I am at a restaurant, I have to make strategic choices. Whereas before I might order whatever sounded appealing, I now have to think about some macro-level decisions.
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I aim for dishes that are higher in protein, fiber or both. Protein is especially key, as patients on GLP-1 drugs can lose muscle mass. Fiber is also important for reasons discussed above. I try to avoid dishes that are very fatty or more likely to impact digestion.
I also bring along extra mouths. If I can only take a few bites of everything, I need backup.
Slowly, my tastes have been changing, too. Certain foods or drinks, such as wine, taste sharper. Fried things are less appealing. I was never much of a sweets eater, but I am leaning heavier into big umami dishes.
Knowing how it’s impacted me has left me wondering. GLP-1 drugs have been a hot topic for a while, and considering how many people are taking them, there must be some impact on the restaurant world.
So I ask you, loyal reader: If you are on a GLP-1 drug, is it affecting the way you dine out? Are you eating out less frequently? Do you order differently? Are there things you crave less or more? I want to know. Send me your thoughts at [email protected].
One thing I do want to be extremely clear about is that I am not fat shaming. My choice to go on Zepbound is mine and mine alone. Whether another person decides to use a GLP-1 or not, it’s their prerogative.
I’ll also be surveying people within the industry to see if they’ve observed new patterns or have made changes as a result of the prevalence of these drugs.
Check back in a few weeks to see what I’ve learned. Hopefully you’ll be seeing less of me then.
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