Saucery’s Trends for GLP-1 Snacking in the United States (2026)
GLP-1 adoption is already reshaping U.S. snack demand. A Cornell University study in Journal of Marketing Research found grocery spending falls by about 5.3% within six months of GLP-1 adoption, with savory snack spending down about 10% and nutrition bars among the few categories showing increases. That shift is big enough to change which snacks get built, reformulated, or repositioned next.
Saucery Trends is our repeatable way to classify demand signals into three phases: Growing Trend (early signals), Going Mainstream (scaling behavior), and Available Everywhere (default choices). We focus on market reality and verifiable examples so teams can make product and portfolio decisions with confidence.
Growing Trend
- Protein chips that trade volume for satiety: With GLP-1 adoption linked to sharp declines in calorie-dense snacks, protein-forward chips are an early replacement for the salty-snack occasion. Example: Quest Protein Chips BBQ. Source: Cornell Chronicle study + Purdue CFB summary of category declines.
- Premium protein bars with candy-like positioning: Fewer eating occasions make the “worth it” bite matter more, pushing protein bars toward indulgent textures and flavors. Example: Barebells Caramel Cashew. Source: Cornell study notes modest increases in nutrition bar spending.
- Protein-first snack baskets: The data show reductions in ultra-processed snacks and modest increases in protein-forward categories like nutrition bars. This opens space for brands to position protein as the default snack choice rather than a niche fitness option. Examples: Quest Protein Chips BBQ, Barebells Caramel Cashew. Source: Cornell Chronicle + Purdue CFB.
- Crunch without the calorie density: Lighter bases (popped/puffed) are showing up as early substitutes for traditional chips as consumers reduce volume but still want texture. Example: Popchips Sea Salt. Source: Cornell Chronicle + Purdue CFB (declines in calorie-dense snack categories).
Supporting resources
Product links:
Sources:
- Cornell Chronicle: Ozempic is changing the foods Americans buy
- Purdue CFB: GLP-1 adoption and its impact on food demand
Going Mainstream
Source: brand PDP image.
- Popped chips as a routine “lighter crunch”: Popped formats are increasingly a mainstream swap for classic chips, keeping the crunchy experience while lowering calorie density. Example: Popchips Sea Salt.
- Popcorn-based chips as a mass-market alternative: Popcorners-style formats are now standard in the “better-for-you” aisle and increasingly in everyday baskets. Example: Popcorners White Cheddar.
- Baked chips from legacy brands: Mainstream brands have normalized baked versions as default swaps inside classic portfolios. Example: Lay’s Baked Original.
- Baked as a portfolio pillar: The baked sub-line is no longer a single SKU; it’s a standing alternative shoppers expect to see next to core chips. Example: Lay’s Baked Original.
Supporting resources
Product links:
Sources:
- Cornell Chronicle: Ozempic is changing the foods Americans buy
- Purdue CFB: GLP-1 adoption and its impact on food demand
Available Everywhere
- Classic potato chips remain the default: Core chips are still the baseline salty-snack choice even as volume pressure builds. Example: Lay’s Classic.
- Cheese-flavored crunchy snacks are entrenched: Iconic cheese snacks are a default basket item, making them vulnerable when snack volume shrinks. Example: Cheetos Crunchy.
- Everyday pretzel snacks are fully normalized: Pretzels sit as a dependable, low-drama snack staple with broad distribution. Example: Snyder’s of Hanover Mini Pretzels.
Supporting resources
Product links:
Sources:
- Cornell Chronicle: Ozempic is changing the foods Americans buy
- Purdue CFB: GLP-1 adoption and its impact on food demand
Key Takeaways
Most teams assume GLP-1 users simply “switch to healthier foods.” The data tell a different story: the biggest shift is less total snack volume, with only modest gains in nutrient-dense categories. That means your snack win is about satiating value per bite, not just “better-for-you” language.
Use this trend lens to re-rank your snack portfolio: protein-forward products and lighter crunchy formats are the most credible upgrades, while legacy salty snacks need either portion strategy, reformulation, or a sharper role in the basket.
If you want the framework behind how we separate signal from noise in food categories, start here: What Are Food Trends?
If you want a fast path to validate new snack concepts before you commit to scale, see: How to Test Food Concepts in 24 Hours (Instead of 6 Weeks).
If you want to pressure-test GLP-1 snack concepts quickly, you can apply to our Early Adoption program here: Saucery Early Adoption.