A popular chain operating in the city will soon offer a set of Ozempic-friendly smoothies as part of its GLP-1 Support Menu.
The new menu items target the growing consumer population taking the hugely popular drug Ozempic for weight loss. One in eight adults in the United States has tried Ozempic or similar drugs, like Zepbound.
As previously detailed in The Dallas Express, Ozempic belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, commonly called GLP-1s. The medication, initially intended for individuals with Type 2 diabetes, has increasingly become popular with people struggling to manage their weight.
“Designed for individuals who are incorporating GLP-1 medications into their routines, the new menu is intended to empower guests with great tasting, nutritional choices that complement their unique needs,” reads an Oct. 29 press release from Smoothie King.
The menu will be comprised of smoothies with high protein and no sugar. The recipes were developed in partnership with Molly Kimball, a registered dietician with Oschner Health, a nonprofit health care provider.
While Ozempic has been shown to be an effective aid in reducing weight, not all of the weight loss is necessarily fat. According to doctors with UCLA Health Sciences, many people end up losing muscle mass, too, a condition referred to as sarcopenia. A loss of muscle is common with rapid weight loss and is not unique to the drug itself. To combat muscle loss, it is important for Ozempic users to eat sufficient calories, especially protein, and engage in strength training.
“When developing this menu, it was important to offer blends with a thoughtful balance of nutrient-dense, high-protein, fiber-rich foods to support satiety and muscle mass,” Kimball said in the press release.
The GLP-1 Support Menu is now available at Smoothie King locations in Dallas and nationwide. The menu includes five different options:
Gladiator (45-61g of protein): chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry protein with a choice of two ingredients: almonds, almond butter, wild blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, organic ginger, kale, carrots, or spinach
Slim N Trim (22g of protein): mangoes, Greek yogurt, Califia Farms almond milk, Slim N Trim blend, organic kale, ginger, and spinach
Keto Champ (24g of protein):
- Berry Keto Champ: Califia Farms almond milk, almond butter, wild blueberries, raspberries, keto protein blend, and 100% cocoa
- Chocolate Keto Champ: Califia Farms almond milk, almond butter, 100% cocoa, keto protein blend, and stevia plant-based sweetener
The Activator (24g of protein): strawberries, wild blueberries, Califia Farms almond milk, coconut water, and strawberry Gladiator protein
Power Meal Slim (19-22g of protein):
- Chocolate: bananas, Califia Farms almond milk, Power Slim protein, and 100% cocoa
- Vanilla: bananas, Califia Farms almond milk, and Power Slim protein
- Strawberry: bananas, strawberries, and Power Slim protein
“With the rising use of GLP-1 medications across the country and our customer base, we want to ensure that Smoothie King provides the nutritional resources to match,” said Smoothie King CEO Wan Kim in the press release.
Kim, who first started as a franchisee of Smoothie King in South Korea, eventually purchased the company in 2012. In 2018, Kim moved the headquarters from New Orleans to Dallas.