Numerous national chains are capitalizing on the current health and wellness trend by redesigning their menus to offer customers taking these medications <\/a>scaled-back portions or meals packed with protein. <\/p>\n Smoothie King is among the dining chains that have capitalized on the increased use of GLP-1s, like Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy.<\/a> The drugs, once just used to treat diabetes, have become popular weight-loss tools as they suppress appetite and slow digestion, helping many people lose stubborn weight. <\/p>\n In 2024, Smoothie King introduced its GLP-1 menu <\/a>featuring smoothies with added protein and fiber, and with zero grams of added sugar, starting a trend amongst other popular restaurant chains, NBC News reported. <\/a><\/p>\n Other chains that have started to promote more GLP-1 friendly options include Olive Garden<\/a>, Shake Shack, Subway and Chipotle, though more will likely follow suit. <\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n With more and more people in the U.S. taking weight loss medications like Ozempic, many restaurant chains have introduced smaller portioned meals or meals with added protein, as a way to cater to GLP-1 users (Getty\/iStock)<\/p>\n GLP-1 drugs have been on the rise since the Food and Drug Administration began approving them as weight loss medications. A November poll <\/a>from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 12 percent of Americans reported taking a GLP-1 drug, double the amount compared to last May. <\/p>\n With more and more Americans using weight loss medications, many restaurants are looking to adapt, providing more options with higher protein and fiber \u2014 two things people on GLP-1s are recommended to eat more of. <\/p>\n Olive Garden announced in December that it was adding a \u201clighter portion\u201d section to its menu<\/a>, offering smaller \u2014 and more affordable \u2014 entree portions. <\/p>\n Ricardo Cardenas, the CEO of Darden Restaurants Inc., which owns Olive Garden, said during a December earnings call that the new low-calorie section of the menu \u201cis designed to give guests more choices.\u201d <\/p>\n The change \u201cjust so happens to benefit the consumers that might want smaller portions that are on GLP-1 medications,\u201d Cardenas told NBC. <\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Olive Garden added a \u201clighter portion\u201d section to its menu, offering smaller and more affordable entrees, last year (Getty) open image in gallery<\/p>\n Chipotle also has introduced a high-protein menu, that includes a \u201cHigh Protein Cup\u201d (Getty)<\/p>\n At Chipotle, the popular fast-casual Mexican chain, customers can now buy off a high-protein menu, which includes a serving of cubed chicken with 32 grams of protein. <\/p>\n Chris Brandt, Chipotle\u2019s president and chief brand officer, told NBC that their new \u201cHigh Protein Cup\u201d was a result of \u201cgrowing demand for protein-forward options across more occasions, especially snack-sized portions at accessible prices.\u201d <\/p>\n Brandt said viral trends of customers sharing \u201chacks\u201d on how to order to get more protein inspired the menu change. <\/p>\n Without mentioning GLP-1s, Brandt said the company was looking to better cater \u201ca clear shift toward diets rich in protein and fiber, and for some guests, smaller portions throughout the day.\u201d <\/p>\n Subway has added \u201cProtein Pockets,\u201d or small snack wraps loaded with over 20 grams of protein, to its menu. Shake Shack has also introduced a \u201cGood Fit Menu,\u201d which offers versions of the burger chain\u2019s offerings with lettuce wraps instead of buns. <\/p>\n The menu change came to be because \u201cmany of our guests are increasingly looking for more flexibility in how they enjoy their favorite restaurants,\u201d the chain\u2019s chief communications officer, Luke DeRouen, told NBC. <\/p>\n While many of these chains made the changes without GLP-1 users in mind, Smoothie King has proudly boasted their GLP-1 friendly menu changes. <\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Shake Shack has a \u201cGood Fit Menu\u201d that offers lettuce wrapped versions of the chain\u2019s signature burgers, minus the buns (Getty)<\/p>\n \u201cAs GLP-1 usage has become more common, Smoothie King also saw a growing population trying to navigate appetite changes while still getting enough nutrients,\u201d the company said in a January news release.<\/a> \u201cIn response, the brand developed a GLP-1 Support Menu \u2014 created with a registered dietitian \u2014 designed to make it easier for guests to stay nourished with options that are high in protein and fiber and contain zero grams of added sugar.\u201d<\/p>\n America\u2019s current protein obsession<\/a> doesn\u2019t stop at GLP-1 users. <\/p>\n Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced a new set of dietary guidelines for Americans<\/a> that prioritizes protein and encourages consuming less sugar and processed foods.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"With](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/iStock-2236560849.jpg\")
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