Prue Leith, the former judge of the popular television series ‘The Great British Baking Show’, has recently spoken candidly about her experience with Mounjaro, a drug originally designed to manage type 2 diabetes but which has gained attention for its weight loss properties. In an interview with PEOPLE, the 86-year-old culinary personality detailed the challenges she faced while using the medication, stating that it left her feeling persistently fatigued and did not facilitate any weight reduction.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/great-british-bake-off-tout-52126-ec7c5d85ea92429ea8498717fb4e3b79.jpg)
Leith began her exploration of Mounjaro last year, spurred on by the success her husband, John Playfair, found with the medication. Playfair managed to shed 28 pounds by following a regimen that included reducing his snacking and alcohol intake. In contrast, Leith’s experience was far less successful. Reflecting on her time with the drug, she expressed frustration, noting, “I didn’t lose an ounce, not one ounce. I was so sleepy all the time because I was starving.”
One of Leith’s primary complaints was the side effect of a reduced appetite. She explained that while the drug left her disinterested in food, she mistakenly assumed this meant she would rapidly lose weight. “It just took away my appetite completely,” she lamented. Unfortunately, her approach was misguided, as she admitted to consuming only around 200 calories each day—far less than the recommended amount. “I was on about 200 calories a day, nothing really,” she recognised.
Initially, Leith blamed Mounjaro for her lack of success but soon realised that she had not adhered to the guidelines for using the drug. “I didn’t do it right. I didn’t read the instructions, basically,” Leith admitted. Her husband played a crucial role in helping her understand that her calorie intake was far too low and needed to be balanced with adequate protein. She acknowledged that the fault lay with her own approach to the drug.
Mounjaro, according to the Cleveland Clinic, functions by lowering blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics while also assisting with weight loss by curbing appetite and delaying digestion. The drug is administered via weekly injections, with common side effects including nausea and diarrhoea. Proper usage instructions emphasise the importance of listening to one’s body and stopping consumption once feeling full, advising users to split meals into several smaller portions.
Leith also spoke positively of her husband’s transformation, noting that Mounjaro seemed to significantly alter his eating habits. “It worked absolutely perfectly for him,” she said. With Playfair’s newfound control over his snacking urges and reduced alcohol consumption, she found it more enjoyable to prepare meals for him. “It’s nicer feeding him now because when he was hungry all the time, he was snacking and didn’t really enjoy his meals,” she added.
While Leith did not achieve the results she had hoped for, her journey led her to valuable insights about her own body image and expectations. Despite her ongoing desire to lose a stone, she candidly shared her realisation that low body weight should not dictate her self-worth. “I’ve always wanted to lose a stone. I think, you know what? I’m 86 and I’m not seriously overweight, so stop worrying about it,” she concluded.
Leith’s account is a reminder that the journey of weight loss and body image is highly individual, with varying outcomes based on personal circumstances and adherence to health regimens. For those considering Mounjaro or similar drugs, her experience underscores the importance of proper education on medication use and a balanced approach to dieting.
Prue Leith’s reflections are further detailed in her latest book titled “Being Old and Learning to Love It!”, which offers insights not just into weight management, but also into embracing the realities of getting older. The book is now available at various retailers, providing readers with an opportunity to engage with Leith’s philosophy on life and body image.