Formulation Insights
2025 · Austrade Inc.
2025 · Austrade Inc.
More than 15 million Americans now use some form of GLP-1 drug, with growth expected to double by 2030.
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are reshaping the food and beverage industry. These appetite-suppressing medications reduce food consumption substantially, with many users consuming as much as 30–40% less food on average.
With reduced food intake comes reduced nutrition — creating risk of muscle loss and nutritional deficiencies for users. This rapid shift demands reformulation efforts focused on strategic nutrient selection. CPG brands must now innovate to deliver complete nutritional profiles in smaller, GLP-1-friendly portions. Premium protein, combined with high quality, intact dietary fiber, serves as an essential base for nutrient-dense formulations. Organic plant proteins deliver both — and in clean label formats.
15M+
Americans currently
using GLP-1 drugs
using GLP-1 drugs
2x
projected growth
in GLP-1 users by 2030
in GLP-1 users by 2030
30–40%
less food consumed
on average by users
on average by users
The Nutritional Impact of GLP-1 Use
Appetite suppression, slower digestion, and nutrient loss create a compounding set of formulation challenges. When daily food consumption declines significantly, consumers miss valuable minerals — iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc — that the body requires for basic metabolic function. Iron deficiency often manifests as relentless fatigue, while magnesium depletion causes muscle cramps and negatively impacts sleep. These mineral deficiencies often lead to discomfort that causes users to abandon weight loss programs altogether.
High quality plant proteins solve this challenge by concentrating nutrition into smaller servings. While most plant proteins require choosing between high protein or meaningful mineral content, certain sources deliver both.
Key nutritional challenges for GLP-1 users:
✓Protein deficiency accelerates muscle loss during weight reduction
✓Rapid satiety onset limits macronutrient intake
✓Reduced capacity demands maximum nutrition in minimum volume
✓Nutrient reduction increases risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies despite adequate calorie intake
✓Fat sensitivity causes digestive issues in many users
Strategic Plant Protein Selection for GLP-1 Formulations
Austrade’s Certified Organic and Non-GMO plant protein portfolio is uniquely positioned for GLP-1 formulations. Each protein offers a distinct nutritional and functional advantage — allowing formulators to match ingredient profiles to specific product goals and consumer needs.
1. Organic Pea Protein
Austrade’s Organic Pea Protein delivers ~25g of protein with minimal carbohydrates, and 7.4mg of iron per 30-gram serving — 41% DV for premenopausal women; 92% for men and postmenopausal women. Supplementation is often vital for GLP-1 users due to risk of iron deficiency from reduced food consumption.
In addition to iron, this single-ingredient plant protein contains a very high phosphorus content (950mg/100g). Phosphorus plays a direct role in protein metabolism by enabling phosphorylation — the process that activates amino acids and enzymes for muscle protein synthesis. During caloric restriction, adequate phosphorus ensures protein intake can be fully utilized for muscle preservation.
GLP-1 Formulation Advantages
→80% protein content with excellent essential amino acid profile — delivers maximum protein in small quantities for muscle preservation
→24.5mg iron addresses common deficiency risk when food intake is reduced
→950mg phosphorus fuels ATP production for energy metabolism
→Ultra-low fat (1.1g) maximizes nutrient density while minimizing calories
→Moderate fiber (2.2g) supports digestive health
→Low carbohydrates (6.75g, <1g sugar) aligns with weight management goals
→Neutral taste and color for a diverse range of formulations
Target Applications
RTD beverages, nutritional smoothies & shakes, protein bars & balls, meal replacement products, and protein-enhanced snacks.
2. Organic Heliaflor® 55 Sunflower Protein
Austrade’s Heliaflor® 55 functions as a mineral delivery system that balances substantial protein (51%) with exceptional fiber (20%) while maintaining minimal fat content (2–3%). Production begins with hulled organic sunflower seeds that are partially de-fatted by cold pressing, followed by a critical CO₂-extraction step that reduces overall fat content while simultaneously increasing protein. The result is a light beige powder with a neutral odor and flavor that is generally well tolerated.
GLP-1 Formulation Advantages
→53.1% protein including 3,580mg leucine — activates mTOR signaling pathways that regulate muscle protein synthesis
→20.1g dietary fiber addresses digestive issues and constipation common with reduced calorie intake
→Ultra-low fat (1.9g) maximizes nutrient density while limiting calories
→10.6mg iron helps prevent deficiency when food consumption declines
→1,767mg phosphorus fuels energy metabolism and cellular function
→847mg magnesium supports muscle function, reduces cramping, and aids recovery
→1,649mg potassium offers critical electrolyte support during all phases of weight loss
→331µg folate (rare in plant proteins) supports cell health and overall metabolic function
→Excellent water and fat-binding (1:4 ratio) offers superior functionality for clean label formulations
Target Applications
Functional beverages (protein shakes, smoothies, RTD beverages), protein bars, energy balls, dressings and sauces, protein-enhanced dough, and baked goods.
3. Organic Heliaflor® 45 Sunflower Protein
Austrade’s Heliaflor® 45 strikes a harmonious balance between protein density, functional fiber, and moderate fat content. Certain ultra-low-fat proteins tend to create chalky, dry textures — Heliaflor® 45 delivers moderate fat content that helps with mouthfeel and palatability, which is crucial for keeping GLP-1 users engaged with products. The high fiber content supports digestive health while contributing to recommended daily fiber intake that many Americans fall short of.
GLP-1 Formulation Advantages
→45% protein content delivers strong protein density for sports nutrition formulations
→18g dietary fiber supports digestive health during reduced food consumption
→1,607mg potassium offers critical electrolyte support during weight reduction
→250mg calcium supports bone health when overall food intake is reduced
→Moderate fat (10g) provides satiety and mouthfeel while maintaining nutrient density
→Zero added sugars with only 4g naturally occurring sugars for clean label positioning
→Good water and fat binding with excellent emulsification delivers versatile functionality across a wide range of applications
Target Applications
Meat alternatives, spreads and dips, protein-enriched baked goods, and functional beverages.
4. Organic Unroasted Pumpkin Protein
Austrade’s Organic Unroasted Pumpkin Protein balances 62% protein and 15% fiber with a unique micronutrient profile. It boasts valuable ALA omega-3s, an exceptionally high amount of arginine (an amino acid that supports circulation and muscle recovery), and minerals like zinc and magnesium that are often depleted during rapid weight loss. Magnesium fuels muscle function and energy metabolism, ALA omega-3s help combat inflammation triggered by rapid weight loss, and a 17% fat content may help prevent digestive distress that higher-fat proteins tend to cause.
GLP-1 Formulation Advantages
→61.8% protein including 4,370mg leucine — activates mTOR signaling pathways that regulate muscle protein synthesis
→9,720mg arginine per 100g supports circulation, immune function, and muscle recovery during calorie restriction
→14.7g dietary fiber supports digestive health and satiety
→14.8mg iron addresses deficiency risk from reduced food intake
→1,660mg phosphorus supports energy metabolism and muscle protein synthesis
→11.2mg zinc supports immune function and wound healing during weight loss
→7mg manganese provides trace mineral support for metabolic function
→Moderate fat (10.2g) naturally rich in ALA Omega-3 provides beneficial fatty acids for cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory support
Target Applications
Functional beverages (protein shakes, smoothies, RTD beverages), baked goods, fortified soups, dressings, sauces, and spreads.
Texture Optimization Strategies for GLP-1 Formulations
Beyond nutrition, texture provides consumers with elevated eating experiences, and is often what drives a repeat purchase. When appetite suppression is constant, consumers become highly sensitive to mouthfeel and consistency. The solution is an ideal balance between taste, texture, serving size, and micronutrient profile.
Strategic functional properties by protein:
✓Pea Protein — exceptional iron density (24.5mg per 100g) with a neutral profile that serves as a versatile base for customization without competing flavors
✓Heliaflor® 55 — superior emulsification potential (1:4 water binding) delivering creamy, smooth textures to beverages and baked goods without excess fat
✓Heliaflor® 45 — strong binding capacity improves mouthfeel in both sweet and savory formats; prevents the dry, crumbly texture common in reduced-fat formulations
✓Unroasted Pumpkin Protein — superior moisture retention with moderate fat content, promoting excellent textural stability in dips, sauces, spreads, and vegetable-based formulations
Nourishing the GLP-1 Generation
The GLP-1 market represents a fundamental shift in nutritional requirements — one focused on strategically selected, nutrient-dense ingredients with excellent micronutrient profiles. Austrade’s Organic and Non-GMO plant protein portfolio delivers concentrated nutrition that includes essential minerals, functional fiber, and clean label positioning for the GLP-1-focused market.
Ready to formulate for the future of weight management? Contact Austrade’s sales team for GLP-1 application support, or to request a sample of one of our Certified Organic & Non-GMO ingredients.