A new social media craze is making the rounds with the emergence of a drink trend called ‘oatzempic’ promising remarkable weight loss results. Yet as the excitement grows, one nutrition expert warns of the potential risks associated with this trend.
The name ‘oatzempic’ combines a reference to oats (the main ingredient in the drink) with a play on Ozempic, the popular weight loss drug manufactured by Novo Nordisk. However, there is no medicinal ingredient in the mixture, which consists of half a cup of rolled oats, one cup of water, the juice of half a lime, and a pinch of cinnamon.
Some TikTok users claim to have lost 40 pounds in two months thanks to the drink. Another user said she lost seven pounds in 10 days with oatsempic.
One TikTok user said that drinking the oatzempic drink twice a day helped her lose weight. She added that she has historically struggled with weight loss due to her polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis, but drinking the oat-based concoction twice a day makes a difference.
“I’ve never gotten the results I’m getting right now with this drink,” she claims in the video.
Natalie Riediger, associate professor in the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences at the University of Manitoba, said the oat-land trend is a recent food fad she’s seen emerge, and she believes these types of trends tend to “come and go.” they go”.
“For the past, I don’t know how many decades, we’ve been concerned about weight loss. So this is not surprising,” she told Global News. “And of course, Ozempic really seeped into the public consciousness.”
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While she acknowledges the nutritional benefits of eating oats, she emphasized the importance of not relying solely on diet trends to achieve sustainable weight loss.
Is it useful to consume oatsempic?
A small, steady weight loss of one or two pounds per week is much easier to achieve and healthier for your heart than a larger loss, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
This allows the body to adjust to the change and may reduce the risk of developing cravings and feelings of deprivation that often accompany faster weight loss, said Harvard School of Public Health’s TH Chan.
But those who consume oatzempic claim it helps them lose up to five pounds a week, which Riediger called “concerning.”
Although oats are a valuable source of fiber and B vitamins, she noted that there is no evidence that daily consumption of oats helps with weight loss. She also pointed out that the drink lacked the necessary vitamins and minerals to effectively replace a meal.
“There are probably anecdotes of people losing weight on almost any type of food or diet pattern. But in terms of sustained weight loss, we don’t have good evidence for any specific diets,” Riediger said.
She also noted that the drink lacked essential nutrients.
“I wouldn’t recommend that anyone consume any of anything because you’re not going to get enough protein by itself,” she said. “There’s some protein in oats, but it wouldn’t be complete protein, and (there are) other vitamins and minerals you’re missing out on (like) iron and calcium, which most Canadians don’t get enough of.” “
Canada’s Food Guide suggests eating plenty of vegetables and fruits, choosing whole grains and eating protein foods, such as legumes and beans, as part of a healthy diet.
Despite the name, the oatzempic drink does not contain Ozempic. Riediger believes he is simply playing on the weight loss trend and Ozempic’s popularity to help him gain traction on social media.
“Ozempic is recognizable,” she said.
She believes this diet fad is an example of how Ozempic has shifted cultural attention back to weight, potentially reversing the strides made by body-positive movements.
“There are adverse health impacts of diet in general and weight concerns, such as poor nutrition and other mental health impacts,” she said, adding that it also causes “fat phobia, weight stigma and discrimination.”
While she acknowledges that eating oatmeal for breakfast is a healthy choice, she emphasized the importance of including a variety of nutrient-dense foods rich in vitamins, minerals, protein and fat in the diet for optimal health.
For those considering weight loss for health reasons, she advised consulting with their health care provider. But even with weight loss goals in mind, she emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced diet and adding regular exercise to your routine.
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