The Oatzempic Diet

Medically Reviewed by Zilpah Sheikh, MD on September 23, 2024
5 min read

Oatzempic — a blended oat drink — is a viral social media diet trend. It's also a clever reference to the popular weight loss drug, Ozempic (semaglutide, also known as Wegovy). Many claim that, like Ozempic, drinking Oatzempic daily decreases your appetite and helps you shed pounds fast. But does this viral trend live up to the hype? Read on to learn how to make Oatzempic, its potential benefits, and what to know about including this trendy drink in your nutrition journey.

How to make the “Oatzempic” drink

Blend 1/2 cup oats, 1 cup water, and juice from half a lime until smooth. Add cinnamon if you like.

Oats, the key ingredient in this limey drink, contain lots of fiber, which helps you feel fuller for longer. This means you might be less likely to snack between meals. If you snack less, you’re consuming fewer calories than you’re used to. And this may naturally result in some weight loss. 

Plus, you’re swapping a meal (such as breakfast) to sip Oatzempic instead. At around 150 calories, this might be a lower-calorie alternative to your usual breakfast.

“Everything about oats is really healthy and really good for you,” says Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RDN, a registered dietician nutritionist. She explains oats contain beta-glucan, a fiber that turns into a gel when combined with water, which helps slow digestion. Slower digestion leads to feeling full. This can help reduce your appetite.

Oatzempic for weight loss

Like most viral social media trends, there’s little research to back up Oatzempic weight loss claims. But scientific studies show that oats, when eaten as part of a balanced diet, are beneficial. They can regulate your appetite, lower blood cholesterol levels, and support gut health. When eaten as part of a balanced diet, oats can help you lose weight.

Swapping processed foods with a blended oat drink helps you cut calories and provides vital nutrients, vitamins, and fiber — a choice you can feel good about, no matter your weight loss goal.

The CDC recommends slow and steady weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week. People who lose weight gradually are more likely to keep the weight off. Although the claim that Oatzempic can help you lose 40 pounds in 8 weeks may sound appealing, such rapid weight loss isn’t sustainable.

Drastically cutting calories may lead to weight loss but can also cause extreme hunger and low energy levels, explains Zelman. This unsustainable approach will probably lead you back to your starting point because you haven’t formed any long-term healthy habits — a common result of quick-fix weight loss trends.

Weight loss involves more than just the foods you eat. If you want to lose weight, focus on gradual improvements through healthy habits and smart nutrition choices in your daily routine. Zelman says it’s important to look at your current diet, lifestyle, stress levels, and exercise and sleep patterns. These factors contribute to health, including weight loss.

Rather than relying on a diet trend to lose weight, take steps to improve your overall health, such as:

  • Exercise regularly.
  • Eat a balanced diet of nutritious foods.
  • Get 7-9 hours of sleep a night.
  • Manage stress by doing activities that help you relax and recharge.

Oatzempic isn’t the only way to get your fill of oats. Zelman recommends maximizing the health benefits of oats by including them into your diet in different ways. Try cooked oatmeal or overnight oats for breakfast or a snack. But if you’re watching your carb intake because of diabetes or for other reasons, be aware that oats contain a large amount of carbohydrates — approximately 27 grams in 1/2 cup of uncooked oats, the same amount found in Oatzempic.

Reach out to your doctor before starting a new diet or exercise program if you’d like to improve your health or lose weight. A registered dietitian nutritionist can help you make minor dietary changes that become sustainable habits— habits that lead to long-term weight loss and improved health outcomes.

Oatzempic is a viral drink trend. It is made from blended oats, water, and lime juice, claiming to aid in weight loss by reducing appetite. While oats are nutritious and can help you feel fuller because of their fiber content, Oatzempic’s rapid weight loss claims aren’t supported by research. Experts suggest focusing on balanced, sustainable habits, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet, for effective long-term weight loss. Talk with your doctor and work with a registered dietitian nutritionist to come up with a diet and lifestyle plan to best meet your health goals.

Does the Oatzempic drink really work?

Research doesn’t support the extreme weight loss claims of this diet. And this sort of rapid weight loss is both unhealthy and unsustainable. However, oats — the key ingredient in Oatzempic — are healthy and nutritious. Oat fiber helps you feel fuller for longer, which may help curb your appetite and reduce snacking. Oatzempic is a healthy alternative to processed meals and snacks. So, swapping a high-calorie, processed snack or meal for Oatzempic as part of a balanced diet may help reduce your calorie intake and lose some weight.

What is the Oatzempic shake diet?

The Oatzempic diet replaces a meal (usually breakfast) with a blend of uncooked oats, water, and lime juice for 8 weeks.

How many times a day do you drink Oatzempic?

You can drink an Oatzempic smoothie as many times a day as you’d like. But the viral social media trend encourages you to drink it once a day, swapping out your usual breakfast for this blended drink instead. Remember that a healthy, sustainable approach to weight loss includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, plenty of sleep, and good stress management.