Weight Loss Drugs Reshape Dining Habits: Restaurants Adapt to Smaller Appetites

A subtle shift is occurring in restaurants and bars across Brazil, as the increasing leverage of weight loss medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide—known as Wegovy and Mounjaro—begins to influence customer dining behaviors. Establishments are noticing patrons requesting smaller portions, sharing dishes, and expressing a decreased appetite, prompting some to adapt their menus and service styles.

The Rise of Reduced Portions and Shared Plates

Reports from restaurant owners indicate a growing trend of customers ordering less food. At Estela Passoni in São Paulo, partner Mariana Passoni Yoshimoto observed a rise in diners satisfied with a single protein option. Similar observations are being made across the country, with customers frequently requesting to share dishes or ordering smaller carbohydrate portions alongside a protein serving.

Several restaurants are proactively responding to this change. Nou restaurant in São Paulo now offers “mignon” versions of dishes, reduced by 30% for those with smaller appetites. This adaptation currently accounts for 15% of the restaurant’s revenue, with expectations for growth. Zen Cozinha Oriental, with locations in Rio de Janeiro, has introduced a “Rodízio Mounjaro” option, offering smaller, fixed-quantity sushi and sashimi selections compared to their traditional unlimited rodízio.

How Weight Loss Medications Impact Appetite

The changes in appetite are linked to the mechanism of action of medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide. According to Tarissa Petry, an endocrinologist at the Specialized Center for Obesity and Diabetes at Hospital Oswaldo Cruz, these medications work on the central nervous system, influencing hunger and satiety circuits. They also reduce gastric emptying, leading to a prolonged feeling of fullness and potentially impacting emotional eating patterns.

Restaurants Adapt and Observe

While restaurants acknowledge the correlation between the changes in dining habits and the use of weight loss medications, they note that customers rarely disclose their medication use directly. However, increased requests for takeout containers and shared dishes are common observations. Quattrinho, a São Paulo restaurant, has observed customers who previously avoided certain foods, like pasta, now indulging in smaller portions, knowing their medication-induced satiety will prevent overeating.

Palermo, also in São Paulo, has seen a preference for salads over fried polenta as a starter. Praça São Lourenço’s founder, João Paulo Gentille, believes this trend presents an opportunity for the gastronomy industry to prioritize quality over quantity and move away from oversized portions.

Industry-Wide Assessment

The Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants (Abrasel) is preparing a survey, expected to yield results in May, to quantify the impact of these medications on the Brazilian restaurant scene. Abrasel president Paulo Solmucci Júnior notes that couples are increasingly sharing dishes, and while the average ticket price hasn’t significantly changed, customers are now more likely to share both main courses and desserts.