The Claim

Two claims about GLP-1 smoothies exist on social media and the media in general. One is that smoothies composed of certain foods or products can “boost” the body’s GLP-1 production. That’s the fad.

The other claim is that certain foods or products such as smoothies offer balanced nutrition for people taking GLP-1s. That’s a fact, depending on the specific foods and ingredients, according to Amy E. Rothberg, MD, director of the Weight Management Program & Rewind at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

“The key is to know the difference between the two,” Rothberg told Medscape Medical News. “There are few foods that ‘boost’ GLP-1. Rather, there are foods found in some smoothies that enhance satiety, such as those that contain adequate protein (eg, Greek yogurt), high-fiber foods that slow digestion (eg, green leafy vegetables, legumes, and lentils), and foods that have a healthy profile (eg, seeds, nuts, and berries).”

The Drivers

Commercial entities and social media users trying to amass followers or monetize the trend are driving the fad. Other drivers include the ease of buying or putting together one’s own smoothie and, of course, the desire to avoid the expense of GLP-1s.

What People Are Saying

On the fad side, examples include a company called Natures Finest that promotes a “GLP-1 Reset Smoothie” on Instagram and Neal Shah of CareYaya Health Technologies, who talks about the right food (soluble fiber) to “unlock” the GLP-1 the body already makes. While there may be some truth to Shah’s claim about soluble fiber, the stated impact seems to be overblown, lacking evidence to support it.

Also on Instagram, one user gives ingredients for a “natural Ozempic smoothie” and urges viewers to follow her for more recipes. A viral recipe from Korea called “Wegovy Smoothie” is circulating on Facebook. These are just a few among the many posts feeding the GLP-1 smoothie fad.

On the other hand, Smoothie King offers GLP-1 support — that is, smoothies designed by registered dietitians at Ochsner Health “to support your GLP-1 routine with protein, fiber, and no added sugar.” These smoothies are not positioned as boosting GLP-1 or replacing medications but rather as a way to ensure better nutrition among patients who are taking the drugs. However, caution is advised here: An Associated Press article states that Smoothie King’s 20-ounce Gladiator GLP-1 vanilla smoothie contains more calories, sodium, and cholesterol than an original glazed donut from Krispy Kreme.

Online, many consumers seem to focus on trying to ensure adequate nutrition while taking a GLP-1. For example, on Reddit, people talk about struggling to meet protein needs and what to order when eating out and preparing meals.

On the commercial product side, comments mostly center around smoothies’ taste and flavors, not whether the product is making them feel better or helping to meet nutritional needs.

Plausible or Proven?

A recent joint advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, American Society for Nutrition, Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society addressed nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity. The advisory states that healthfully prepared smoothies and protein drinks containing fruits, vegetables, and unsweetened milk or yogurt can provide needed nutrients and may be more appealing than heavier foods when appetite is low. It also notes that some people may need high-protein shakes or fortified products to meet protein targets.

However, peer-reviewed studies are sparse. One recent review of dietary fibers to boost endogenous GLP-1 secretion and satiety pointed to dextrin as a promising fiber category for future research but concluded, “The evidence remains constrained by small sample sizes, short interventions, and substantial heterogeneity. Longer-term studies in free-living conditions, including periods of GLP-1 receptor agonist tapering, are needed to capture microbiota adaptation and generate robust real-world evidence.”

Another recent study of GLP-1 users using a cross-sectional design identified insufficient intake of key nutrients compared to the Dietary Reference Intakes, including fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, choline, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E. Furthermore, study participants (a small group of 69 patients) overconsumed calories from fat and saturated fat and did not meet the recommended daily MyPlate servings for fruit, vegetables, grains, or dairy. Findings also suggested that protein intake was significantly under daily needs.

The emerging evidence seems to underscore the need for better nutrient intake among GLP-1 users, which supports the joint advisory’s recommendations, as well as the need for large-scale trials to replicate findings and provide individualized nutritional guidance.

The Bottom Line

“We all make GLP-1, but it’s short-lived in our system,” Rothberg said. Patients can be advised that some companies have put together smoothies with whole foods that can support health (on or off GLP-1). However, they should read labels to assess ingredients, calories, and nutrients.

“For those who make their own smoothies, it is important to have a blend of the essential macronutrients — that is, protein, fat, and healthy carbs that are fiber-rich,” she noted. “Oats and other fiber-dense foods and fish/seafood can transiently increase GLP. Consuming [such] foods can help with satiety, but any ‘boost’ in GLP-1 is going to be modest.”

Rothberg declared being a member of Boehringer Ingelheim’s advisory board for MASLD/MASH, being a Lilly speaker on a panel on diabetes remission, and conducting a clinical trial of continuous glucose monitoring (with money paid to her institution). 

Marilynn Larkin, MA, is an award-winning medical writer and editor based in New York City whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including Medscape Medical News and its sister publication MDedge, The Lancet (where she was a contributing editor), and Reuters Health.