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As GLP-1 medications normalize smaller appetites and higher protein intake, national restaurant chains are quietly redesigning their menus — offering customers scaled-down portions at lower prices, whether they’re on the drugs or not. Once exclusively a treatment for diabetes, GLP-1 drugs such as Zepbound and Wegovy, which suppress appetite and slow digestion, have become a mainstream weight-loss tool. The drugs’ rise has coincided with a broader wellness and health-focused shift that seems to emphasize protein, forcing restaurants built on abundance and bottomless refills to rethink how much food consumers actually want. Smoothie King is among the restaurants that capitalized on this movement as early as 2024, introducing a GLP-1 menu featuring smoothies with high protein and fiber content, and with zero grams of added sugar. Now, some of the biggest names in American dining appear to have followed suit. Olive Garden announced in December that it was adding a “lighter portion” section to its menu, offering seven dishes with smaller portions at lower prices. Chipotle now offers a high-protein menu, including a serving of cubed chicken with 32 grams of protein for around the price of a latte. At Shake Shack, customers can enjoy lettuce-wrapped versions of the chain’s famed smash burgers on the “Good Fit Menu.” This month, Subway added “Protein Pockets,” small snack wraps with more than 20 grams of protein. For those taking GLP-1s, eating higher-protein foods goes hand in hand with eating smaller portions. The medications severely curb users’ appetites, so when they do eat, they need nutrient-rich foods to ensure they are still eating a balanced meal. Protein also keeps you fuller for longer, so eating foods packed with protein helps with weight loss, as you do not have to eat as frequently or as much. But even if only some of these restaurants explicitly state that these medications — and their customers’ changing appetites — are the driving force behind the new menu items, experts say the connection is clear. “People on GLP-1s are prioritizing protein because it’s the macronutrient that they need to preserve muscle mass,” said Jenna Werner, a registered dietitian. She added that restaurants are “utilizing this weight loss cultural movement to hop on that train.” Health & Wellness Jan 19 How much protein do you need? Nutrition experts are wary of new diet guidelines Food & Drink Jan 15 Beyond Meat moves into the beverage aisle with new protein drink Health & Wellness Jan 7 U.S. rolls out new dietary guidelines backing more protein and full-fat dairy Restaurants cater to rising GLP-1 use In the last two years, GLP-1s for weight loss have become both popular and easier to access, Werner said. The drugs skyrocketed in mainstream popularity after the Food and Drug Administration began approving GLP-1 medications for weight loss over the last five years, in addition to their pre-existing approvals to treat diabetes. As the drugs became more available, a growing number of actors, influencers and athletes began crediting the drugs with their drastic weight loss. According to a November poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation, 12% of Americans reported taking a GLP-1 drug, which doubled from the previous May. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Wegovy and Ozempic, declined a request for comment. A spokesperson for Eli Lilly, the maker of Mounjaro and Zepbound, said the company values “efforts to make healthy living easier for everyone.” “When restaurants offer more menu options and flexible portion sizes they help empower diners, including those managing complex conditions like obesity and diabetes, to make healthier decisions and reduce food waste,” the Lilly spokesperson said in a statement. The protein obsession is not all due to the rise in GLP-1 use. Last week, the Trump administration released updated U.S. dietary guidelines recommending that Americans consume 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight…

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