Weight loss drugs have been all over the news…drug side effects and most prominently, how they may affect the food we eat/how much food we will buy in the future if more shoppers are taking these drugs.

Weight loss drugs…

Ozempic and possible mental health effects studied in Europe, not in U.S. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/09/21/1200201186/as-ozempic-use-grows-so-do-reports-of-possible-mental-health-side-effects.

One body-positive doctor’s experience prescribing Ozempic https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/10/04/1202723479/ozempic-body-positive-medicine-weight-stigma. WeightWatchers in the age of Ozempic https://www.axios.com/2023/10/10/weightwatchers-wegovy-ozempic-obesity-shift.

Study finds diabetes drug Mounjaro led to weight loss of at least 1/4 of body weight https://apnews.com/article/mounjaro-obesity-weight-loss-tirzepatide-ac4151fdfcd6ac17f502d1a14af4fff5.

Weight loss drugs causing people to eat less food?…

Walmart says Ozempic is causing people to buy less food https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/ozempic-drug-users-are-buying-less-food-walmart-says-rcna119000; https://www.axios.com/2023/10/06/ozempic-weight-loss-drugs-food-business; https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/05/investing/ozempic-food-companies/index.html; https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6LfzMRlcRV8; https://www.supermarketguru.com/the-lempert-report/ozempic-wegovy-hurts-walmart/. And another view https://www.grocerydive.com/news/grocers-ozempic-sales-loss-walmart-margins/695806/; Marion Nestle https://www.foodpolitics.com/2023/10/the-new-obesity-drugs-a-threat-to-the-food-industry/. PepsiCo monitoring impact of weight loss drugs on sales https://www.fooddive.com/news/coca-cola-Mondelez-pepsico-weight-loss-drugs-snacking-sugar-salt/696263/.

Health in the news…

Health plans tackle food insecurity https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/value-food-medicine-becomes-more-pronounced-health-plans-adjust-benefits-packages. Teens’ top restaurant chains https://restaurantbusinessonline.com/marketing/among-teens-raising-canes-enters-chat. International Dairy Foods Association cites research to support full-fat dairy as part of 2025 DGAs https://www.supermarketperimeter.com/articles/10270-ifda-says-90-of-americans-do-not-consume-enough-dairy. Salmonella, E. coli found in California soda drinking machines https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/10/09/salmonella-e-coli-fast-food-soda-fountain-water/70990305007/.

Instacart to be part of healthy food access study https://www.grocerydive.com/news/instacart-kaiser-permanente-nutritious-foods-health-study/695967/.

School meals…

California codifies new USDA federal school lunch guidelines ahead of USDA as of January 2024 https://www.k12dive.com/news/california-law-school-nutrition-standards-usda/696254/.

New rule would expand eligibility for school breakfast and lunch if districts can afford it https://www.chalkbeat.org/2023/10/11/23911877/biden-administration-community-eligibility-provision-free-school-meals-lunch-debt.

Report: Challenges and Opportunities of Providing Free School Meals for All focuses on a Colorado school district https://www.americanprogress.org/article/challenges-and-opportunities-of-providing-free-school-meals-for-all/.

View/listen…

**Interview with Chris Bosso, author, Why SNAP Works – A Political History – and Defense – of the Food Stamp Program, 31 minutes. Listen to the episode https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/keen-on/why-food-stamps-work-8mYJq0pcV7d/. Dr. Marion Nestle’s review https://www.foodpolitics.com/2023/09/weekend-reading-the-politics-of-snap/. **Disordered Eating and Body Image Disturbance in the Military webinar https://oneop.org/learn/160008/.

Halloween ideas…

Which Halloween candies are a choking hazard for children under 4 years? https://www.babycenter.com/presscenter/halloween-choking-hazards_40009932.

**Have a healthy snack BEFORE trick or treating!

**Apple spiders (apple slices, peanut butter, pretzel sticks) https://www.hy-vee.com/recipes-ideas/recipes/apple-spiders

**Clementine pumpkins (clementines and celery sticks) https://healthhomeandhappiness.com/friendly-clementine-pumpkin-treats-halloween.html

**Pumpkin ricotta dip – note: start with the smallest amount of maple syrup to adjust to your taste, substitute honey for the maple syrup https://www.runningtothekitchen.com/whipped-pumpkin-ricotta-dip/

**Ghost cheese sticks https://athriftymom.com/cheese-stick-ghost/