“The combination of a half-cup of oats, lime, water, and cinnamon is about 150 calories,” Dr. Cardel explains. “If meals are being replaced by this low-calorie combo, weight loss may occur because individuals are consuming fewer calories than they typically would—rather than the ‘magic’ drink itself directly causing weight loss.” What’s more, combining this drink with intermittent fasting “may further produce a caloric deficit as individuals are limiting the amount of time spent eating,” she says.
As for whether or not experts recommend this regimen for weight loss? Short answer: No, they don’t. The oatzempic drink is simply not nutritionally adequate enough for anyone.
“If we were to only consume the ingredients in oatzempic for long periods of time, we would be at risk for significant nutrient deficiencies,” says licensed dietitian nutritionist Sara Riehm, RD, a specialty dietitian certified in obesity and weight management at Orlando Health Center for Health Improvement. “While all of these ingredients offer health benefits and are limited in their health risks, they do not offer a complete nutrient profile and are not appropriate to be used as the sole source of nutrition for anyone.”
What about intermittent fasting?
A key component to the oatzempic drink challenge is the inclusion of intermittent fasting, which according to Riehm is the practice of decreasing the times of day in which you eat in an attempt to decrease calories.
However, Riehm doesn’t recommend intermittent fasting to her clients. “There is very limited research to support the efficacy of the diet for weight loss and other health benefits,” she says. “It can also be difficult to sustain in the long term: Often it can lead to rapid weight loss and regain. This sort of weight cycling can cause metabolic abnormalities that make it even harder to lose weight later on.”
Dr. Cardel also notes that while intermittent fasting can work in theory, it’s not at all necessary for weight management. “While studies indicate that this practice is generally safe and may result in weight loss, intermittent fasting is not essential for managing weight,” she says.
How to include oats in a healthy diet
While the experts agreed that exclusively consuming oats is not healthy, they do make for a great part of an otherwise balanced diet.
“Oats themselves offer several nutritional benefits, serving as a rich source of fiber and whole grains, and providing micronutrients such as iron, magnesium, and zinc, among others,” says Dr. Cardel. But she reiterates the importance of eating other healthy foods too. “A diet consisting primarily of these ingredients that are included in the oatzempic drink is not nutritionally adequate over the long term.”
If you’re dead set on trying oatzempic, however, Riehm suggests only doing so with your breakfast. “Oatzempic can be part of a balanced, healthy diet,” she says. “If you want to consume oatzempic, I would recommend doing so as part of a healthy breakfast. You can use patzempic as a quick, easily prepared option to get your day started. You could also add protein powder to make it more substantial and satisfying.”