One aspect of losing weight that doesn’t get much attention is its impact on finances. But it’s something worth thinking about, because the cost of weight loss treatments like Wegovy can add up over time. It’s not just about the cost of the medication, but also about changing your lifestyle and, ultimately, it’s a long-term investment in your health.

So is it worth it? Well, that’s totally up to you in the end. But let’s take a look at some financial considerations to help you make that decision.

  • Weight loss treatments like Wegovy might seem costly upfront, but can save you money long-term.8
  • Eating a healthy diet, which includes fresh fruit and veg, can be more expensive than less healthy options.
  • There are, however, ways to cut costs — like shopping smart or reducing treatment expenses.

Is it more expensive to eat healthy?

While this can vary from person to person, the answer is often yes (unfortunately). A diverse, healthy diet is more expensive than a calorie-sufficient one (one that provides enough calories for a day). The average cost for a healthy diet across the world was found to be $3.54 a day. That’s more than four times higher than the global average price for a calorie-sufficient diet, which is around $0.83 a day.6

On top of that, a systematic review looking at market and dietary surveys found that in wealthier countries, healthier eating habits generally come with a higher price tag compared to less healthy ones.5

Eating healthy (as recommended by the Eatwell Guide)1 involves including fresh foods like fruit and veg in your diet, which can be pricey. According to the Broken Plate 2023 report, in the UK, getting 1,000 calories’ worth of fruit and veg costs almost £12 on average. In contrast, the average cost for 1,000 calories’ worth of high-fat or sugary foods was £5.82, £4.61 for milk and dairy, and just £1.25 for staples like bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes.2

But keep in mind that a healthy, balanced diet will include most—if not all—of the above foods. So you can make adjustments based on your budget. And even though fresh fruit and veg might cost a bit more, you can still save some money with the following tips:

  • Check out your store’s weekly deals online or with an app before you head out. Then, make a shopping list based on what’s on sale.
  • Skip the pre-cut and pre-washed fruit and veg—it’s usually pricier. Buy whole carrots instead of baby ones, or a whole watermelon instead of pre-cut chunks.
  • Buy “ugly” produce. Look out for deals on these “imperfect” or “wonky” fruit and veg. Look out for deals or local companies that will deliver “imperfect” produce to your door.
  • Buy what’s in season. Produce like tomatoes, berries, and corn are often cheaper when they’re at their peak and locally grown.
  • Grow your own. You could start with a few potted herbs on your balcony. If you’ve got more space, try growing cucumbers, peppers or lettuce. They’re easy to grow and can taste better than store-bought produce.
  • Cook at home more often and cook in bigger batches for economies of scale. Cutting back on takeout and eating out is usually more budget-friendly.
  • Buy dried or raw beans and legumes, these workout much cheaper than canned or jarred options.
  • Buy dried spices and herbs rather than fresh, these are packed full of nutrients, reduce wastage and go way further.

You could also try frozen options. Frozen fruit and vegetables are frozen as soon as they’re picked, which helps lock in their nutrients until they reach your plate. One study that looked at the vitamin A, B2, C and E levels in both fresh and frozen foods, found that the frozen foods had pretty much the same or sometimes even more vitamins than the fresh produce. Only beta carotene (vitamin A) was found to be lower (by about 50%) in frozen peas, carrots and spinach, when compared to the fresh samples.3

Are some diets more expensive than others?

Yes, the cost of different diets vary based on what foods they include. A balanced, healthy diet usually includes a mix of different foods to cover all the nutrients your body needs (which can occasionally cause the bill to add up).

A study from Oxford University, which used food prices from the World Bank’s International Comparison Program 2017, compared nutritionally balanced vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian and flexitarian diets. The vegan diet was found to be the most affordable worldwide, followed closely by the vegetarian diet.4

On the other hand, diets that don’t include carbs, found in bread, pasta and rice as “cheap” staples, can be quite expensive. The ‘Carnivore diet’, for example, also known as the all-meat or zero-carb diet, includes high-fat, high-protein products of animal origin like red meat, eggs, fish and fatty dairy. With the rising prices of meat in the UK,7 carnivore diets aren’t a good option for those on a budget (and they’re not particularly nutrient-rich, either).

Does losing weight save money long-term?

Research suggests that losing weight leads to significant cost savings for both the individual and the government. That’s because when your body mass index (BMI) is high, it puts you at greater risk for serious health problems like diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. And dealing with these medical issues can be expensive and reduce productivity. In the US, for example, more than 70% of adults are overweight or obese, which can be translated to $210 billion a year in medical expenses.8

So gym memberships and spendings on healthy diets might seem like a bigger expense upfront, but can pay off long-term. Similarly, spending money on weight loss treatment may prove to be a good investment in the long run.

How much does weight loss treatment cost?

The costs of weight loss treatments can differ based on factors like type of treatment, dosage, duration, and where you purchase the medication. Since these treatments are usually long-term, spanning over a year or more, it’s helpful to compare prices on an annual basis.

For instance, capsules and tablets, which may require up to three doses a day, tend to cost less than injections. As for specific treatments, Xenical (with the active ingredient orlistat) typically costs around £600 per year if obtained privately, and Mysimba (containing naltrexone and bupropion) is about £1,600 per year.

In comparison, costs for weight loss injections like Wegovy (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Saxenda (liraglutide) are typically around £3,000-£3,500 per year. The price of Wegovy for a year is typically around £3,500 if you’re starting at the lowest dose and move up every month until you reach the maintenance dose.

But most suppliers offer ways to save money over time. For example, if you buy two months’ worth of Wegovy at a time, it’ll cost you around £3,000 for the whole year. If you get three months of Wegovy at a time, you’re looking at around £2,900 for the year.

When you’re looking at treatment costs, it’s essential to consider how well a medication works because this often reflects in its price tag. For instance, part of the reason why Wegovy is so pricey is that it’s very effective—on average, it can help you lose about 15.9kg per year.12 In comparison, orlistat was found to promote weight loss of 10.3kg per year on average.13

Can you get weight loss treatment on the NHS?

Yes, you can. But to access weight loss treatments through the NHS, you’ll need to show that you’ve tried to lose weight by changing your diet, exercising or making lifestyle adjustments.

For example, if your BMI is 28 or higher and have other weight-related issues like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes, or if your BMI is 30 or above, you might be prescribed orlistat.9

To qualify for Wegovy through the NHS, your BMI should be over 35 (or 30 with other weight-related health conditions). You also need your GP to refer you to a specialist weight management service.10 But getting Wegovy on the NHS is not always a straight-forward process and can take several months or even years due to its high demand.

How about health insurance?

If you’re in the UK, it’s important to know that medical insurance typically covers only weight loss surgery, and only under certain conditions. You might be eligible for a 75% contribution towards weight loss surgery costs if you meet certain criteria:

  • you must be at least 18 years old;
  • your BMI should be 40 or higher, or if it’s between 35 and 39.9, you must have specific health conditions like diabetes or hypertension;
  • your medical insurance policy must have been active for at least 12 months;
  • you should not have any uncontrolled, severe psychiatric illnesses; and:
  • you should not be undergoing treatment for drug or alcohol addiction.

In the US, some insurers actually do cover the expenses for weight loss treatments like Wegovy. Many health insurance plans use a BMI of 30 or above as a key factor for eligibility. Also, if you have obesity-related health issues like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure, it could up your chances of getting coverage.

Is weight loss treatment worth the money?

In the end, it’s down to you. Many people think weight loss treatment is a good investment because it helps them hit their weight and health goals. But it may not be for everyone, as it is a long journey of several months or years, for which commitment and resilience are key. So, before making any decisions, it’s essential to think about how losing weight affects your health (or talk to a clinician about it) and weigh up all the costs involved.

And when considering the cost of the treatment and diet, it’s also worth considering the high cost (both in terms of money and time) of treating medical conditions like heart problems, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, depression, erectile dysfunction and more.11 These are all conditions that weight loss can actually help lower the risk of.