'Why not buy filet mignon': This Chicago lawyer's success with Ozempic shows how weight-loss drugs could unlock Americans' purchasing power — and transform the economy

The Ozempic diet

Drews’ financial game got as much of a workout as his body did. Instead of splurging on fast-food, he shifted his budget to invest in himself — a personal trainer at $140 an hour, twice a week, tallying up to roughly $3,000 a month on fitness.

As his eating habits became more deliberate, Drews traded drive-thru meals for whole foods like eggs, fresh fruit, salmon and nuts. In marketing terms, he’s now a “premium purchaser,” reallocating his spending from quantity to quality.

As KPMG consumer and retail strategy analyst Andrew Lindsay put it in a recent report about GLP-1, according to the Post article, “Why not buy filet mignon when you only have the appetite for a few ounces of steak?”

Drews isn’t alone. A study from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business reveals that households with a diet pill user are also among the top 10% of those buying unhealthy foods. Yet, as these drugs foster healthier habits, companies reliant on impulse indulgences face risk.

But, while spending on junk is cooling off, consumers are reallocating funds elsewhere.

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The premium choice

An analysis by research firm Grocery Doppio reveals that in 2025, 63% of grocers plan to adjust their product assortments in response to the impact of GLP-1 medications on consumer spending habits. The shift could be driven by the fact that 97% of GLP-1 users reduced their grocery spending, with snacks, prepared foods and sodas taking the biggest hits.

But, while childhood favorites like chips and chocolate bars are being left off shopping lists, consumers aren’t necessarily spending less — they’re just spending differently. Sales of lean protein, for instance, have surged by 27% as shoppers prioritize higher-quality food choices.

For Drews, instead of reaching for a bag of chips, he’s splurging on premium meats — venison, bison and other high-protein, lean sources, including those flown in from Hawaii. His preference for top-tier protein comes at a cost: $31 per pound, compared to the $5 per pound he’d pay for ground beef at a local grocery store.

This shift shows the unexpected economic ripple effect of GLP-1 medications. Not only do they suppress appetites but they are also quietly unlocking purchasing power.

Instead of stretching paychecks across bulk snack packs, users are investing in lean protein and specialty items, an economic shift that could have lasting implications for both food retailers and consumer spending trends.