Ozempic menu | Hype or something to it?
Ozempic menu - Hype or something to it?
A blog by Marjolein van Spronsen about the increasingly common ‘Ozempic menu’ popping up abroad. A recent article in The New York Times noted that 8 to 10% of Americans now use some form of Ozempic*. The article also gave several examples of how restaurants and bars are responding to this trend. Marjolein wonders whether more people aged 60 and over, like herself, might also prefer enjoying a ‘mini meal’.
This blog was previously published in Dutch on the Van Spronsen & Partners Group’s website.
2 minutes read
One of the first times I read about an ‘Ozempic menu’ was when Heston Blumenthal started serving his tasting menu in smaller portions. Since then, we’ve come across several articles on the topic, all referencing the fact that the Ozempic menu, or mini meal, has already become standard in parts of the United States. The recent New York Times piece puts this into a slightly different perspective: most restaurants quoted in the article mention they don’t get many requests for it yet, and that they can imagine bigger operational challenges. 😉
Still, one interesting example stood out: a restaurant reported serving around 40 tasting menus per evening, including about six mini tasting menus per week. Other examples include a full section of GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) smoothies at Smoothie King, and items like mini martinis and a “snaquiri” (small daiquiri). The New York Times also cited a PricewaterhouseCoopers survey indicating that 50% of Ozempic users dine out less often and 100% drink less alcohol since starting the medication.
Are people over the age of 60 also ready for a mini meal or ‘Ozempic menu’?
Beyond the Ozempic users, I miss seeing people over 60 in these articles, a group that could also benefit from mini meals, or what I’ve read called ‘teeny-weeny mini meals’. I’m over 60 myself and part of the demographic that loves dining out regularly. On holiday, we prefer à la carte restaurants, often opting for two starters, or a main course and dessert. In France, we often choose just one dish and cheese — with a good glass of wine, that’s perfect! We simply don’t need more.
Yet we are frequently confronted with fixed 4-, 5-, or even multi-course menus. When we ask whether we can mix and match dishes from the menu, the answer is often no. A pity, after having this experience twice again last summer, we now make sure to ask in advance whether à la carte dining is possible. If not, we must decide whether we’re interested enough in the restaurant to face an overly full stomach. 😉
Of course, many people over 60 do enjoy large menus, but according to the Dutch website ‘KleinePorties’ (Small Portions), there are around 5 million people in the Netherlands who prefer smaller portions! So why not cater to the demand for smaller plates? And let’s be honest, an ‘Ozempic Menu’ sounds pretty trendy, and could easily appeal to anyone who prefers lighter dining.
* What is Ozempic? Ozempic is a prescription injectable medication primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes. Its active ingredient is semaglutide, a compound that mimics the action of the gut hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). This hormone helps regulate blood sugar levels and appetite by slowing gastric emptying and increasing feelings of fullness. Ozempic is increasingly being used as a weight-loss medication.
