GLP-1 is changing how America eats and CookUnity is seeing it in real time

• Since its launch, CookUnity GLP-1 meals have grown 44% YoY, with nearly 4 in 10 orders now including at least one GLP-1-aligned meal.

• Over 83% of GLP-1 meals are protein-based, led by poultry (47.8%) and seafood (35.7%), while plant-based meals account for just 3.7% of orders.

• GLP-1 meals ordered through healthcare partnerships grew +529% YoY, as providers are integrating food into treatment plans.

Nashville, Tennessee. April 29, 2026. The rise of GLP-1 medications is not just transforming how much Americans eat, it's reshaping what they choose to eat. New data from CookUnity, the chef-led meal delivery platform connecting eaters with award-winning chefs across North America, shows a clear shift toward protein-forward, balanced meals without sacrificing flavor. During the "Balancing Nutrition in the Age of GLP-1" panel at the Food & Health Conference, CookUnity shared how food, healthcare, and consumer behavior are converging in this new era.

From dieting to intentional eating

Since launching its GLP-1-aligned menu in February, CookUnity has seen the category grow 44% year-over-year, with nearly 4 in 10 orders from over 240K subscribers including at least one GLP-1 meal, signaling this is no longer a niche trend, but a mainstream shift. The data also challenges long-standing assumptions about "healthy eating": rather than choosing smaller portions or low-calorie meals, GLP-1 users are opting for protein-rich, satisfying dishes, with more than 83% of meals centered on animal-based proteins¹.

CookUnity data makes it clear that health does not mean sacrificing flavor. The most popular GLP-1 cuisines are Asian (+150% YoY), followed by European (+35%) and American (+34%). Top dishes like the Mexican Chicken Bowl, accounting for 12% of all GLP-1 orders, along with Lemon Baked Tilapia and Chipotle Lime Salmon, the three most-ordered meals in 2025, show that consumers are embracing bold, culturally rooted flavors while eating more intentionally.

When it comes to adoption, Millennials are leading the shift, accounting for 33.9% of GLP-1 meals, followed by Gen X and Baby Boomers. This reflects a broader evolution in how consumers approach food, moving away from restriction and toward structure, balance, and long-term health.

"GLP-1 is changing not just how much people eat, but how they think about food. What we're seeing is a shift away from restrictive dieting toward more intentional, balanced eating, where protein, satisfaction, and flavor all matter. Consumers don't want to give up the foods they love; they want meals that support their goals while still feeling enjoyable and culturally relevant", said Bruno Didier, CEO of CookUnity Business.

Where culinary meets clinical precision

CookUnity's GLP-1 category brings together chefs, dietitians, and its Clinical Advisory Board in 2025 launched last year, to create meals that are both nutritionally balanced and satisfying. By working closely together, they turn clinical guidelines into real dishes, focusing on protein, fiber, and portion size while keeping flavor and cultural identity at the center. The result is chef-crafted meals designed for real life, where healthy eating feels enjoyable, not restrictive.

To support this approach, CookUnity launched its Clinical Advisory Board in 2025 and expanded it in 2026 with the addition of Dr. Manijeh "Mani" Berenji (UC Irvine) and Dr. Marc R. Watkins, experts in occupational health, disease prevention, and lifestyle medicine. Alongside specialists from institutions like the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, the board helps guide the clinical integrity of CookUnity's Food as Medicine program.

Chef Hong Thaimee, who joined CookUnity in 2023 and has sold over 700,000 meals on the platform, is now part of the growing group of 80 chefs creating meals for the platform's GLP-1 category, developing dishes that balance bold flavors with the right nutritional profile. A Harvard-certified expert in health and wellness, Thaimee brings a science-backed approach to her cooking.

"I love cooking and eating healthy food, and with CookUnity, we're able to work closely with dietitians to design meals that are not only aligned with GLP-1 goals, but truly delicious," said Thaimee. "It's a unique collaboration where science and culinary creativity come together, so people don't feel like they're giving something up, but gaining a better way to eat."

Food moves into healthcare

The most significant shift is happening beyond the consumer space, as CookUnity sees rapid growth in healthcare-driven demand. Through its Food As Medicine program, the company partners with organizations like EmblemHealth and Anthem to provide meals for clinical programs and patients, with orders through these partnerships growing +529% year-over-year. In partnerships like FuturHealth, CookUnity meals are offered alongside GLP-1 treatments, helping patients build sustainable nutrition habits as part of their care.

This reflects a broader shift where food is becoming part of treatment, not just lifestyle. As GLP-1 adoption grows, consumers and providers alike are moving away from restrictive "diet food" toward chef-prepared meals that deliver protein, flavor, and long-term sustainability.

"As GLP-1 medications become more widely used, providers and patients need to be reminded of the critical role nutrition plays in supporting long-term outcomes," said Tara Schmidt, Lead Dietitian at Mayo Clinic Diet and host of the Mayo Clinic On Nutrition Podcast. "Volume-controlled meals that prioritize protein, fiber, and overall nutrient quality can help preserve muscle mass, support energy, and minimize side effects, but just as importantly, they need to be enjoyable. When food is both clinically sound and satisfying, people are much more likely to stay consistent."

CookUnity data points to a broader cultural shift: Health-forward eating is no longer about eating less, it's about eating smarter. As GLP-1 adoption continues to grow, CookUnity sits at the intersection of food, technology, and healthcare, helping define what the next era of eating looks like.

About CookUnity

CookUnity is America's first chef-to-you meal delivery. With a mission to empower chefs to nourish the world, CookUnity offers a solution that proves eating well can be convenient, affordable and delicious. The revolutionary model puts the power directly in chefs' hands, offering fully equipped kitchens, predictable revenue, and direct access to feeding millions across the nation. Subscribers get access to 180+ award-winning chefs, a rotating weekly menu of 300+ dishes, and fresh, fully prepped meals right at their doorsteps in sustainable packaging. Since 2016, the team has grown rapidly from a small kitchen in Brooklyn, New York, to eight kitchens across the nation and Canada. For more, head to cookunity.com.

¹ Based on CookUnity internal data on total meals ordered across the platform in 2025, including a breakout of GLP-1 meals.