By Valleygirlnews Senior Brunch Correspondent
Okay so like… is it just me or are Sunday brunches feeling kinda empty lately? And no, I don’t mean the tables—like people are actually showing up (thank you, bottomless mimosas), but girl… no one is eating. Plates are like, half-picked at. Hollandaise sauce is untouched. Someone even left their entire pancake stack on the plate like it was a crime scene.
So what’s the tea? It’s spelled O-Z-E-M-P-I-C, babe. Yup, the diabetes drug turned weight-loss miracle slash brunch saboteur. Let’s dig in, shall we?
Wait…Why Is Everyone “Not That Hungry” All of a Sudden? So here’s the sitch: GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro (which low-key sounds like a villain in a Marvel movie) were literally designed for diabetes. But now? Every influencer, investment banker, and Real Housewife is on it for weight loss.
These meds work by suppressing appetite and slowing digestion, so basically, people on them feel full after like… two bites of their kale eggs Benedict. And brunch culture is not ready for it.
“Brunch used to be our most profitable time slot,” said Cody LaRue, manager at L.A.’s ultra-chic Café de Soleil. “Now people are ordering one poached egg and a green tea. It’s giving… sad.”
Mimosas Still Slay, But the Menu? Not So Much. According to a super legit Bloomberg article, restaurants in major cities like New York and L.A. have seen an average drop of 10–15% in high-calorie menu orders since GLP-1 meds went mainstream in early 2024.
Like sorry, the lemon ricotta pancakes are crying.
Even iconic foodie spots are rethinking their menus:
- Smaller portions? ✅
- More protein-forward dishes? ✅
- Ozempic-friendly specials? Literally yes—Café Santé in Santa Monica just launched a “Light Girl Plate.” (It’s three bites of salmon and a dream.)
The Economy of Not Eating. So like, if nobody’s eating, who’s paying? Well… nobody. People on Ozempic are less likely to order apps, mains, and dessert. That’s like, three lost tips for your server bestie. The National Restaurant Association (yes that’s real) even warned in April that “anti-obesity medications may be the most disruptive dietary trend of the decade.”
Imagine carbs being cancelled by Big Pharma. Tragic.
What About the Girls? Tbh, not everyone is thrilled. “I’m all for body autonomy,” said Lena M., a registered dietitian-slash-TikTok queen with 1.2M followers. “But we’re seeing a cultural shift where brunch—this safe space for women to relax and reconnect—is becoming awkward. Like, people are scared to eat.”
Some girls say they miss the vibes of loading up on French toast and gossiping over lattes.
“I went to brunch last week and everyone at the table was on Ozempic. I ordered a breakfast burrito and literally felt judged,” said Samantha P., 29, from Dallas. “Like sorry for having a metabolism?”
Is This Just the Skinny Tea 2.0? Let’s be real. Ozempic might be science, but the culture around it? It’s giving diet culture in a lab coat. Experts are warning about long-term side effects, muscle loss, and this weird pressure to stay tiny even if you’re not diabetic.
And also—fun fact—once you stop taking it, the weight can come back. So it’s kinda like breaking up with a clingy ex. They will text you back (except it’s your appetite).
Final Thoughts from the Brunch Table. So what’s a girl to do? If your friends are eating less, that’s okay. If you’re still into croissant towers and bottomless bloodies, you do you, babe. Just don’t let a pharma trend ruin your brunch bliss.
Food is joy. Brunch is therapy. And carbs? They’re not the enemy—they’re the main character.
Now excuse me while I go order Belgian waffles and judge literally no one.
XOXO,
Valley Girl News
