The data: GLP-1 pills have a slightly smaller effect on users’ snacking patterns than GLP-1 shots, per a Bloomberg Intelligence survey.

• 74% of those taking GLP-1 pills for weight loss reported eating fewer salty snacks, compared with 80% of those injecting the drugs.
• That trend extended across multiple categories, including baked goods, confections, and shelf-stable items like soup.

Why it matters: These findings suggest GLP-1s could have a less drastic effect on food consumption than initially thought, especially if more new and existing users opt to take the drugs orally. That’s good news for companies like Mondelēz and Hershey, whose businesses are centered on categories like cookies and candy that are vulnerable to rising GLP-1 usage.

However, that doesn’t mean food manufacturers should rethink their GLP-1 tactics. The proportion of the US population on the drugs is rising: 11% currently use GLP-1s for weight loss, up from 8% in 2025, per Gallup. Another 15% reported using the drug at some point, compared with 12% last year.

The shift in consumption patterns may be less drastic for those taking GLP-1s orally, but the broader trends—including reduced snacking, diminished appetites, and increased food and vegetable intake—are the same. The same holds true for potential effects on other industries, such as apparel and health and wellness.

Implications for retail: GLP-1s’ ultimate impact on food sales will be determined less by the difference in consumption habits among those taking the pills and those taking injections and more by the general accessibility of these drugs. While initiatives like Medicare’s limited-time GLP-1 bridge have made the treatment more affordable for some, others face reduced access as rising costs drive employers like Starbucks, PepsiCo, and Cigna to pull back coverage.