Berry Street, a nutrition therapy company, has launched its GLP-1 Nutrition Pathway Program, which is meant to provide nutrition support for those starting, taking and getting off of GLP-1s.
The New York City-based company works with health plans and connects patients in need of nutrition support to a network of registered dietitians. It provides personalized treatment plans for patients struggling with weight management, diabetes, heart health, kidney disease and numerous other conditions.
The new GLP-1 program is meant to support patients across three phases:
The “explore” phase for patients looking to start GLP-1s. A Berry Street clinician helps patients determine whether the drugs are the right fit for them.
The “optimize” phase for patients currently taking GLP-1s. Clinicians help patients get the best outcomes by combining the medication with nutrition therapy.
The “sustain” phase for patients getting ready to stop GLP-1s. Clinicians provide nutrition support so that patients don’t gain weight back after going off the drugs.
With the program, patients receive access to virtual visits with registered dietitians and certified nutrition specialists, as well as educational content tailored to their condition and digital tools in the Berry Street app. It is also “flexible” for patients, meaning patients don’t have to move through all three phases, according to Richard Fu, Berry Street’s chief commercial officer.
“For example, if a first-time Berry Street user wants to get off a GLP-1, they would only go through the “Sustain” phase,” he said in an email.
While Berry Street clinicians are supporting those taking GLP-1s, they’re not actually prescribing the drugs, according to Dr. Michele Rager, Berry Street’s head of clinical nutrition. Rather, patients have to get prescriptions from other providers.
The use of GLP-1s for obesity has surged in recent years. About one in eight adults have used GLP-1 drugs to lose weight or treat a chronic condition, according to KFF. In addition, between 2018 and 2023, total spending on GLP-1s in the U.S. has increased by 500%. Research shows that GLP-1s work best when paired with behavior change support like a healthy diet and exercise.
“We can no longer ignore the role of nutrition care in a patient’s GLP-1 care journey. Proper nutrition education and behavioral support should go hand-in-hand with GLP-1s, but routine care for these drugs often does not include nutrition interventions,” Rager said in a statement. “Our new program addresses this critical gap by providing patients with structured nutritional guidance and personalized, evidence-based support to help them get the best results from their GLP-1 treatment, no matter what stage they’re in.”
Berry Street has already produced results for patients looking to lose weight, according to its announcement. Among patients with clinical obesity who participated for 6 to 12 months, 74% without GLP-1 treatment lost an average of 16.9 pounds (7.3% of body weight), while 84.8% of those on GLP-1s lost an average of 24 pounds (9.34% of body weight).
Numerous other digital health companies have also launched behavior change programs tailored for people taking GLP-1s, including Omada Health, Nourish and WeightWatchers.
Photo: vgajic, Getty Images
