Though GLP-1s can have a profound impact in offsetting the costly long-term effects of obesity (cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease) and other comorbidities, the steep upfront costs coupled with the fact that most patients stop using them after two years—while seeing no measurable improvement in their physical health—present considerable financial challenges for health plans, particularly those sponsored by small businesses.

On an even more macro level, the general consensus among obesity specialists, nutritionists, and dietitians is that while Wegovy and Zepbound can be a “game-changer” for countering obesity, developing sustainable lifestyle changes (i.e., those concerning nutrition and exercise) is still essential for individuals (and their respective health plans) to reap the long-term benefits of weight-loss drugs.

There’s also a general agreement among health care practitioners that, by far, the primary driver of healthy weight management is developing a well-balanced and nutritious diet. Though many Americans understandably face formidable barriers to pursuing a healthier diet, it appears that the lack of awareness as to what constitutes healthy food consumption may be a chief culprit behind the epidemic.

Earlier this month, The Washington Post came out with a fascinating report (“Most people aren’t following this important dietary advice. Are you?”) that has garnered serious attention well beyond the sphere of health care. Not because it detailed the salubrious effects of seafood—it’s chock-full of vitamins, minerals and protein, and is a terrific source of omega-3 fatty acids, a critical nutrient for cardiovascular health that our bodies need but can’t produce—as those have been well chronicled for years now, but because it highlighted the fact that 90% of American adults don’t eat the recommended two servings of seafood per week.

Judging by what the experts are saying, it seems that there may be a firm correlation between the dearth of seafood consumed in America and the skyrocketing rates of obesity. In fact, the American Heart Association has gone on record to corroborate the notion that having (at least) one to two servings of seafood per week can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, strokes and sudden cardiac death, especially when seafood replaces the intake of less nutritious foods.

Indeed, an abundance of research has demonstrated that both wild and farmed salmon, sardines, anchovies, mussels, oysters, and Atlantic mackerel are loaded with omega-3 fats while a single serving of rainbow trout contains more than an entire day’s worth of vitamin D and vitamin B12, as well as copious amounts of omega-3 fats, protein and minerals.

For plan participants taking GLP-1 drugs, consuming high-protein foods such as seafood can be very effective for magnifying the desired weight-loss effects. (In addition to the many cardiovascular health benefits inherent in seafood, exhaustive medical studies have concluded that regularly eating seafood can improve one’s brain health, alleviate depressive symptoms, and even bolster the effectiveness of antidepressant medications.)

All that being said, some Americans have compelling reasons for why they will not or cannot consume the requisite amount of seafood. While many food consumers have legitimate concerns about the deleterious environmental impact of commercial fishing and the potential exposure to mercury, a neurotoxin teeming throughout the ocean, there are still others who adhere to a very strict vegan or vegetarian diet. Social determinants of health also come into play here.

Generally speaking, whether it’s purchased in supermarkets or restaurants, seafood can be, quite simply, unaffordable. It’s one reason why it has been estimated that Americans buy seven times more chicken and beef than fish on an annual basis.

But at the very least, it would behoove more Americans to learn how consistent seafood consumption has strong potential to ward off coronary disease, which after all is one of the primary drivers for people to try GLP-1 drugs. And from a financial standpoint, integrating seafood into a diet in order to manage weight and ultimately prevent coronary disease could save self-funded health plans billions of dollars each year.