Weight-Loss Drug Disrupts Family Meals and Bonds

A shift in appetite, courtesy of a weight-loss medication, has dramatically altered a family’s culinary traditions and dynamics. The author, accustomed to preparing elaborate meals, now finds the kitchen a place of disinterest, impacting the family’s shared experience of food.

Appetite’s Absence

The first sign of trouble came when Lucy Cavendish’s daughter deposited cheese strings in the refrigerator, a deliberate act to rile her mother. After starting Mounjaro, Lucy stopped cooking due to a loss of appetite. Her children, aged 22, 21, and 18, were unhappy with this change.

“What’s it got to do with you?” she asked. “Since you stopped cooking for us, I think I can eat whatever I want.”

—Lucy Cavendish, Observer Food Monthly Launch Editor

Cavendish was once passionate about cooking, even going on courses with chefs like Gordon Ramsay. The family used to enjoy a traditional Sunday roast together. The weight-loss injections, however, changed all that.

Altered Eating Habits

Now, the lack of desire for food extends to grocery shopping. Cavendish finds little inspiration in the supermarket, a stark contrast to her former enthusiasm. The simple act of eating, once a joy, has become an effort. Even red pepper hummus, a previous favorite, makes her feel queasy.

The shift has led to changes in the family’s eating habits. Cavendish’s daughter started experimenting with cooking, while her son, Jerry, adopted a protein-heavy diet. The family now eats separately, which causes Cavendish sadness. The rise in the use of weight loss drugs like Mounjaro has led to an increased risk of side effects for some users (CDC, 2024).

Family Dynamics Shift

The family dynamics have changed, as the shared experience of eating together has diminished. She misses the family meals. After the first Sunday without a roast, her daughter questioned the absence of their usual meal.

“Oh, are we having a roast today?” my daughter asked, because she loves a Sunday roast.

—Lucy Cavendish, Observer Food Monthly Launch Editor

Cavendish told her children she no longer wanted to cook. The children looked at her as if she’d slapped them. They are trying to find a new way to relate to one another, though she isn’t quite sure how it will work out.

In the interim, the kitchen will smell of eggs and the fridge will be full of cheese strings.