Updated
Updated · The Philadelphia Inquirer · Jul 22
Philly Food Brands Launch High-Protein Products as 1 in 8 Americans Use GLP-1 Drugs
Updated
Updated · The Philadelphia Inquirer · Jul 22

Philly Food Brands Launch High-Protein Products as 1 in 8 Americans Use GLP-1 Drugs

3 articles · Updated · The Philadelphia Inquirer · Jul 22

Summary

  • Philly Pretzel Factory is developing a higher-protein soft pretzel, while Campbell’s has rolled out five protein soups with 20 grams per can to target consumers using appetite-suppressing GLP-1 drugs.
  • One in eight U.S. adults now take GLP-1 medications, according to Gallup, and a JPMorgan estimate says as many as 30 million Americans could be using them by 2030.
  • That shift is pressuring food companies because GLP-1 households cut annual grocery spending by an average $390 within six months of starting the drugs, even as users seek more protein and nutrient-dense foods.
  • Honeygrow says customers are increasingly customizing meals with whole-wheat noodles offering 13 grams of protein and 17 grams of fiber, reflecting demand for portion control and personalized nutrition.
  • Beyond protein, Philly Pretzel Factory is reformulating its core pretzels with unbleached flour, no potassium bromate and a plant-based protein substitute, making the chain’s signature product vegan this year.

Insights

Are new 'functional foods' a healthy solution or just ultra-processed products with a health halo for GLP-1 users?
As food giants chase the GLP-1 boom, are they ignoring the risk of a market collapse if users quit the expensive drugs?
Beyond grocery aisles, how will appetite-suppressing drugs reshape our culture of food, family dinners, and social gatherings?