In the UAE, food has become something of a spectacle. Weekend brunch buffets stretch across ballrooms, with towers of oysters, live cooking stations plating up every imaginable cuisine and free-flowing chocolate fountains.
The dining scene comes with a liberal garnish of indulgence.
Lately, that indulgence seems to be taking on a new shape. Diners are still filling tables, but many are ordering less. Several chefs, doctors and patrons cite one common theme: a growing number of diners are using GLP-1 medication, such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy.
Originally developed to help manage diabetes, the drugs are now prescribed more widely for weight control and decreased appetite. They dull hunger, steady blood sugar and, for many, change their relationship with food.
A surge, even without clear numbers
There’s no definitive figure for how many people in the UAE are on GLP-1s, but the supply offers some context.
I never skip social meals. I still enjoy going out to dinner with friends, I just eat less
Sarah Rice,
Dubai resident
According to global clinical research service IQVIA’s 2025 Middle East & Africa Business Insights, the UAE’s pharmaceutical market reached $4.87 billion last year, up 10.8 per cent from 2023. The class of newer Type 2 diabetes treatments – which includes GLP-1 drugs – grew 15.9 per cent, among the fastest of any therapy area in the region.
Eli Lilly, the American pharmaceutical company that makes Mounjaro, was the region’s fastest-growing pharmaceutical company, with sales climbing almost 29 per cent.
“We continue to experience extraordinary demand for our incretin medicines,” Tony Terzis, Eli Lilly's associate vice president of medical affairs for the Middle East and Turkey, tells The National. He adds that the company has invested more than $55 billion since 2020 to expand manufacturing capacity.
He emphasises obesity remains “a serious, chronic disease” and urges that the drugs be used only under medical supervision.
From prescription to habit
Clinics in Dubai confirm rapid increase in prescriptions, too. At GluCare, a diabetes centre in the city, doctors say the number of patients who are on GLP-1 therapy rose by an estimated 110 per cent per year between 2021 and 2023, peaking when nearly half of the centre's diabetic patients were using the medication.
Now, the pattern is stabilising. Patients start on the course with close medical oversight and complementary nutrition and exercise plans. Once health goals are met, doctors gradually taper the dose. Those on Mounjaro specifically have lost an average of 9kg over 12 months while maintaining most of their muscle mass, according to GluCare data.
For many, the change has shifted outside the medical chart.
'I still go out, I just eat differently’
Dubai resident Sarah Rice has been taking Mounjaro for three years. She began the medication for weight management and now uses it for maintenance, having lost more than 25kg.
“As the desire to eat reduced, it affected my decision to eat out or order takeout in the beginning,” she says. “But after a while, I adapted. Even though I only use Mounjaro for maintenance now, it still helps keep my cravings at bay and quiets the food chatter.”
Rice's approach to dining has changed, although her social life hasn’t.
“I never skip social meals,” she says. “I still enjoy going out to dinner with friends. I just eat less. I don’t order a starter, main and dessert like I used to – maybe two starters, or one main and a side. And usually I am unable to finish them.”
Rice says she approaches restaurants and food on her own terms.
“I rarely finish a plate now, and I’m fine with that,” she says. “Sometimes I over-order and realise halfway through that the Mounjaro is kicking in – and I just can’t eat any more. But the social part of dining out is still important to me.”
Another Dubai resident, who requested anonymity, and who has been on the medication for two years, echoes Rice's sentiments.
“It hasn’t affected how often I eat out,” she says. “I just can’t eat as much, so I’ll skip a starter or dessert. I still enjoy the food – I just don’t finish the whole portion.”
Restaurants come into the mix
At The Banc, a restaurant in Business Bay, Dubai, co-founder Mazlum Topcu noticed regulars ordering fewer dishes and leaving more behind. Earlier this year, he introduced the Mini Bancer, a menu of half-size, protein-forward dishes such as grilled sea bream and barbecue chicken.
“We wanted to make the ordering process easier for the people who told us they were coming in on these medications and didn’t want to waste food,” Topcu says.
Hotels are clocking the same trend. Carlos Solares, director of food and beverage at Movenpick JLT and Voco Bonnington Dubai, says diners are “opting to skip starters and desserts, focusing primarily on main courses. Many guests are requesting smaller portions or lighter dishes.
“This shift is influenced by dietary preferences, health considerations, and a desire to manage food intake more effectively.”
Solares adds that the average spend per guest has also fluctuated, with some restaurants seeing slight increases and others small drops, depending on menu pricing and how they respond to changing demand.
“Diners are prioritising health-conscious options,” he says. “There’s growing interest in high-protein dishes, vegetarian or vegan meals, and non-alcoholic beverages. At Rohini, our modern Indian restaurant, vegetables are the stars.”
Meal plans for smaller appetites
The same recalibration is happening at home. Mitun De Sarkar, clinical dietitian and founder of Simply Healthy, says many of her new clients arrive already on GLP-1s. “They tell me they get full after a few bites or that heavy food makes them nauseous,” she says. “However, while appetites change, nutritional needs don’t.”
De Sarkar's team has created a GLP-1-specific meal plan built around smaller portions and balanced nutrients. “We focus on protein, fibre and anti-inflammatory foods,” she says. “For years, people asked how little they could eat. Now they’re asking how to eat well with less.”
Experts at Eli Lilly and GluCare agree that change could carry public health benefits in a country battling high rates of diabetes and obesity. However, they warn against unregulated versions of the drugs and the temptation to view them as a shortcut to sustainable weight loss.
For the dining industry, it’s simply another moment to evolve – to reimagine indulgence for a new kind of diner.
“These shifts are part of a broader pattern we’re seeing across the dining industry,” Solares says. “Restaurants are adapting with lighter options, smaller portions and new menu ideas to meet evolving expectations.”
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Samaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Pros%20and%20cons%20of%20BNPL
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Ain Issa camp:
- Established in 2016
- Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
- Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
- Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
- 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
- NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
- One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Enterprise-grade%20security%20and%20privacy%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Unlimited%20higher-speed%20GPT-4%20access%20with%20no%20caps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Longer%20context%20windows%20for%20processing%20longer%20inputs%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Advanced%20data%20analysis%20capabilities%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customisation%20options%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shareable%20chat%20templates%20that%20companies%20can%20use%20to%20collaborate%20and%20build%20common%20workflows%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Analytics%20dashboard%20for%20usage%20insights%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Free%20credits%20to%20use%20OpenAI%20APIs%20to%20extend%20OpenAI%20into%20a%20fully-custom%20solution%20for%20enterprises%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ashes 2019 schedule
August 1-5: First Test, Edgbaston
August 14-18: Second Test, Lord's
August 22-26: Third Test, Headingley
September 4-8: Fourth Test, Old Trafford
September 12-16: Fifth Test, Oval
MANDOOB
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HWJN
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When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Burnley 0
Man City 3
Raheem Sterling 35', 49'
Ferran Torres 65'
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Five personal finance podcasts from The National
To help you get started, tune into these Pocketful of Dirham episodes
·
Balance is essential to happiness, health and wealth
·
What is a portfolio stress test?
·
What are NFTs and why are auction houses interested?
·
How gamers are getting rich by earning cryptocurrencies
·
Should you buy or rent a home in the UAE?
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
The Lowdown
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss
Rating: 4/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20CarbonSifr%3Cbr%3EStarted%3A%202022%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Onur%20Elgun%2C%20Mustafa%20Bosca%20and%20Muhammed%20Yildirim%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Climate%20tech%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%241%20million%20raised%20in%20seed%20funding%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
