An estimated 1.5 million Britons are now using Ozempic, Mounjaro or Wegovy, yet research suggests it is taking its toll on the nation’s dinner parties, and hosts are understandably not happy.
Nearly three in ten (29 percent) Brits who have recently thrown a soiree, say they have been annoyed at having cooked a delicious meal, only for guests to push food around their plate.
In fact, a resounding six in ten believe the correct etiquette is to call ahead or text, to let people know if you are taking weight loss drugs, so hosts can amend the menu accordingly.
The survey, of 2,000 frequent dinner party hosts and attendees, found lighter options, such as a small prawn cocktail (21 percent) melon and prosciutto (15 percent), fish soup (13 percent) or a small fillet steak with some simple greens (18 percent) are the most suitable Ozempic dinner party options.
While 14 percent of hosts say a sorbet makes a good choice of pudding, and to start, rather than filling appetisers, some crudités and dips (14 percent)
Of those who are on the drugs, as many as 80 percent agree, they now find the social side of eating and drinking uncomfortable.
Nearly half (47 percent) say that they have ruined their enjoyment of dinner parties entirely.
Almost a quarter (22 percent) have offended a host, by being unable to eat the food they’d prepared, while one in ten have even hidden food in a napkin at someone’s house to avoid embarrassment.
And it’s not just food that’s spoiled, with 18 percent saying that they can no longer enjoy nice wine or cocktails.
“Weight loss drugs may be the cure for obesity that we’ve been looking for, for decades,” says Jion Horsley, from trends and insights agency Perspectus Global. “But we’re still in the early days of their use and they will have ripple effects which we won’t be aware of yet.
“The fact that their use can make social eating difficult is just one unforeseen effect. This research proves that shared meals may become more awkward until we work past the social difficulties, adapt our menus and the etiquette surrounding the subject”.
Other popular menu items include Satay chicken, salmon gravadlax and tom yam soup.
OZEMPIC FRIENDLY DINNER PARTY FOODS, ACCORDING TO DINNER PARTY HOSTS….
- Fresh fruit salad: 30%
- Chicken Caesar salad: 22%
- Prawn cocktail: 20%
- Small fillet steak with greens: 18%
- Frozen berries: 18%
- Melon and Prosciutto: 15%
- Crudités and dips: 14%
- Sorbet: 14%
- Fish soup / bisque: 13%
- Nicoise salad (tuna or salmon): 12%
- Cream of tomato soup: 12%
- Sashimi: 12%
- Satay chicken: 11%
- Salmon Gravadlax: 11%
- Thai beef salad: 9%
- Prawn summer rolls: 8%
- Spinach frittata: 8%
- Tofu green curry: 7%
- Tom Yam prawn soup: 6%
- Black miso cod: 4%