Nutrition in clinical practice : official publication of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral NutritionSep 17, 2026

How a GLP-1 receptor activator may influence food intake

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Sep 19, 2026

Abstract

Second-generation GLP-1 receptor agonists may significantly reduce meal size and influence food choices.

Metabolic adaptation in humans slows voluntary weight loss by lowering hormone levels that control appetite and reducing metabolic rate.
New satiety hormone agonists, like semaglutide and tirzepatide, target appetite regulation and may decrease overall water intake.
These medications can affect the preference for highly palatable foods, potentially influencing alcohol consumption as well.
Gastrointestinal side effects are common among patients using these drugs, but they can often be managed with dietary changes.
Loss of lean tissue, including muscle and bone, has been observed with substantial decreases in food intake.
Vitamin deficiencies have been reported in patients using GLP-1 receptor agonists, highlighting the importance of nutritional counseling.

Simplified

Humans have a primitive defense mechanism called metabolic adaptation that slows voluntary weight loss. It works by downregulating hormones that reduce food intake and by lowering the metabolic rate. Second-generation GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide or tirzepatide, promote weight loss by targeting this hormonal system to control appetite. Appetite can be divided into hunger, satiety, satiation, and reward eating. This review will examine how GLP-1 receptor agonists and newer satiety hormone agonists influence appetite and its components. Research indicates that these new satiety hormone agonists significantly reduce meal size and may decrease overall water intake. Additionally, the choice of highly palatable foods is affected and may extend to alcohol consumption. Clinicians need to understand how these new drugs affect food intake to counsel patients effectively. Most patients will experience gastrointestinal side effects, which can often be managed with dietary adjustments. Other clinical issues stemming from the substantial decrease in food intake will also need to be monitored. Loss of lean tissue, including bone and muscle, has been reported. Clinicians can adjust dosing of these medications but will need to make nutritional adjustments to help mitigate these effects. Now that these powerful weight-loss agents have been available for several years, vitamin deficiencies have been reported. Given the side effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists and their intended appetite suppression, clinicians' nutritional counseling and treatment become invaluable.

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How a GLP-1 receptor activator may influence food intake

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