Holiday entertaining made easy with this serving supplies checklist
Make sure you have everything you need for your holiday feast by matching your cooking utensils and dishes in advance.
Morgan Williams plans to include her favorite green bean casserole on her Thanksgiving plate this year, but she won’t be able to eat it all.
Williams’ appetite has decreased and changed dramatically since she started taking GLP-1 drugs in April to manage symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). For example, she knows that casseroles aren’t as fun as they used to be.
“I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings,” said Williams, 29. “So I just grab my plate and don’t eat. Even if I throw everything away, it’s still on my plate.”
The Lincoln, Nebraska, mother lost about 70 pounds using the drug, which helps people feel full longer and reduce food intake.
“I get full much faster, and big holiday meals feel a little overwhelming now,” Williams says. “This holiday season is definitely going to be different than previous years because I used to go back within seconds, but now I’m satisfied with just a few bites.”
Williams has felt more confident since starting GLP-1. My PCOS symptoms have subsided and my mood has improved. Although her family has been aware of her weight loss and PCOS journey and has been supportive, some have not seen her since last Thanksgiving.
“There may still be some stigma around GLP-1 drugs,” she says. “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, but I’m certainly nervous about the opinions and comments people may make.”
Williams is one of many Americans facing a similar dilemma this Thanksgiving. Nearly 12% of Americans have used GLP-1 for weight loss, according to an August report from Rand University. Use among men and women has more than doubled in the past year as the drug has become the preferred method for weight loss.
As GLP-1 becomes mainstream, it will likely change the way people look and eat at the Thanksgiving table, said Sabina Hemmi, founder of GLP Winner, a GLP-1 watchdog group. And we can easily get upset or offended if someone doesn’t have the day’s special.
“(Food) is our own cultural language, so it can be kind of sad when people’s relationship with food is disrupted because of drugs,” Hemmi says. “For those with family members who encourage overeating or overeating as a way to show love, Thanksgiving can be stressful, adding even more pressure. If someone comes to the table with a small plate, it’s probably not helpful to comment.”
Rather, Henmi says, she hopes people can see this Thanksgiving as an opportunity to cherish new memories and provide a supportive environment for those who have experienced significant changes this year.
“Holidays are special after all,” she says. “Those meals may look a little different.”
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GLP-1 agonists are drugs in injectable or pill form that work by mimicking natural hormones that make you feel full and delay hunger. GLP-1 is also known by certain drug names such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, to name a few. The effects of drugs vary slightly from person to person, but in general, people can’t eat that much apple pie, even if an extra slice seems appealing, Itsumi said.
“It can be difficult to overeat when taking these medications,” Hemi says. “It’s much worse than overeating in other people… Overeating can cause discomfort and nausea.”
Lasting fullness means GLP-1 users may not get the same enjoyment from their Thanksgiving indulgences.
“It could affect how motivated and rewarding we are with food,” said Stephen Munger, a researcher on the neurobiology of smell and taste at the University of Virginia. “The best thing a host can do is just be aware of the fact that the other person’s preferences and amounts may have changed, and be responsive.”
It’s also important to remember that people take GLP-1 for a variety of chronic health issues besides weight loss.
“You don’t have access to a person’s medical history when you open the refrigerator,” Hemmi says. “I’m not going to jump to judgment on whether someone is on medication or not…It’s much more complicated.”
Don’t be surprised if someone gives you water in your Thanksgiving toast. GLP-1 changes the way our bodies process alcohol, just like other foods, Hemmi says.
How to recreate delicious moments from the Ozempic era
If your Thanksgiving tastes have changed after GLP-1, Munger suggests trying alternatives and communicating your needs to hosts and guests in advance.
“You need to explore and listen to your body and rediscover the types of foods that bring you joy,” says Munger. “Don’t think you have to ignore your body’s signals just because you’re on vacation.”
And if someone arrives noticeably thinner, Hemme says Thanksgiving is not the place to comment on how thin they are.
Whether you or a loved one uses GLP-1 or not, Munger says keep in mind what is typical of the Thanksgiving tradition: giving grace to one another.
