The development of “miracle” weight-loss drugs is set to have a major impact on global meat consumption, food industry researchers say.
People on so-called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) drugs such as semaglutide are likely to shift to higher-quality and more expensive cuts of meat, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), a major British public body in the food and farming sector.
Meat portion sizes are meanwhile set to become smaller and lower in fat overall as a result of weight-loss drugs, which were originally aimed at people with diabetes, but are now seeing wider use to target obesity with their appetite-suppressing effects.
“High protein diets are also appealing to GLP-1 users as they support weight loss, muscle maintenance and metabolic health,” AHDB said in a May (2026) report, describing lean steaks and pork tenderloins as “ideal for users”.
This means that a growing number of consumers are likely to overlook fattier cuts – often chef favourites as the rendered fat is used to cook vegetables and carbs, and deepen the meaty flavour in dishes.
The trend is already being seen in supermarkets, according to the researchers, who say major British retailers are launching a range of smaller portion and nutrient-dense meat products.
These revamped servings “provide enough protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals to support those consumers with smaller appetites”, the AHDB said.
The organisation cited a survey it carried out with the polling company YouGov showing eight out of 10 GLP-1 users as eating less overall, and four out of 10 increasing their intake of meat and fish.
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Concerns about meat in diets have receded in recent years as increasing incidence of obesity and related diseases such as diabetes has been linked to a boom in the consumption of processed meals and high-fat or sweetened snacks.
However, environmental groups have pointed to meat products causing the largest share of climate emissions associated with the food sector. – dpa
