As millions stop GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy, nutrition researchers say eggs may help curb hunger, preserve muscle and reduce post-treatment weight gain by supporting natural appetite hormones and nutrient intake.
GLP-1 Drugs Spur f but Regain Follows
Weight-loss injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro have transformed obesity treatment by reducing appetite and making it easier to eat less. But evidence shows that stopping the drugs often leads to significant weight gain.
Long-term studies indicate that people regain more than half the weight they lost after discontinuing GLP-1 medications, according to published research cited by nutrition scientists. The body responds to weight loss by increasing hunger and slowing metabolism, pushing weight back up.
“The body has a strong drive to restore lost weight,” said Adam Collins, an associate professor of nutrition at the University of Surrey. “That drive does not disappear when the injections stop.”
Researchers say the rebound may be stronger with GLP-1 drugs than with other diets. Studies suggest the body’s own release of the satiety hormone GLP-1 after meals may decline, or the body may become less sensitive to it, allowing hunger to return more quickly.
People stop taking a GLP-1 weight-loss drugs for reasons such as cost, side effects, or satisfaction with their weight. As use expands, more patients are seeking practical ways to maintain weight without medication.
Eggs Trigger Fullness Hormones, Studies Find
One simple option may be eggs, Collins wrote in an analysis published Jan. 6 in The Conversation. Eggs are rich in high-quality protein, contain all essential amino acids and provide vitamin D and other micronutrients.
“Eating eggs has been repeatedly shown to help people feel fuller for longer and eat less later in the day,” Collins said. Research shows egg protein stimulates the body’s own GLP-1 release while suppressing ghrelin, a hormone linked to hunger.
In that sense, eggs act as a food-based aid to appetite control rather than a drug, he said. The effect is stronger when eggs are paired with fiber-rich foods such as whole-grain bread, which further boosts satiety hormones.
UK consumption data show about thirty-seven million eggs are eaten daily, roughly three to four per person each week. Health concerns about eggs and cholesterol have eased as evidence has accumulated, according to nutrition experts.
“Eggs are affordable, widely available and portion-controlled,” Collins said. “That makes them practical for people trying to replace some of the appetite effects of injections.”
Protein, Nutrients Aid Muscle and Health
Eggs may also benefit people who are still taking a GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. Because weight loss often includes muscle loss when overall food intake drops sharply, preserving muscle requires adequate protein.
Studies associate protein intakes of about one gram per kilogram of body weight with better muscle retention. “Hitting those targets can be difficult when appetite is low,” Collins said. “Eggs make it easier.”
Beyond protein, eggs provide nutrients many people lack. UK surveys show widespread low vitamin D intake, especially in winter. A 2025 study found that individuals using a GLP-1 weight-loss drugs often fall short on calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and several vitamins.
People with obesity may already be deficient in nutrients such as vitamin E, selenium and zinc, researchers say. Eggs can help address those gaps at relatively low cost.
Collins disclosed that he serves as a paid consultant to the British Lion Eggs Nutrition Advisory Group.
“Eggs are not nature’s Wegovy,” he said. “But as more people come off these drugs, simple foods like eggs could play a meaningful role in what comes next.”
