Mounjaro and Cravings: What Real Users Say About Losing - and Regaining - the Urge to Eat
Cravings can be one of the most frustrating parts of managing weight - the persistent desire for sweets, snacks, or certain comfort foods, even when you’re not truly hungry. For many people starting on Mounjaro (tirzepatide), one of the most surprising effects is how quickly those cravings can vanish.
But is it permanent? What happens when cravings change or creep back? And how do real users manage these shifts over time?
This article explores what people on Mounjaro have shared about their cravings - the silence, the strange new fixations, and the moments when old habits try to return. Drawing on posts from Reddit and other forums, it offers an honest look at how tirzepatide affects not just appetite, but the emotional and psychological side of eating.
If you're wondering what to expect from your cravings on Mounjaro - or how to navigate their comeback - this is your guide.
The Silence: When Cravings Disappear Completely
One of the most striking experiences shared by Mounjaro users is the sudden and near-complete disappearance of food cravings - particularly for sugar, processed snacks, or emotional comfort foods. For many, this "food noise" doesn’t just quiet down - it shuts off entirely.
"I used to crave sweets constantly. Donuts, chocolate, cereal - it was a daily battle. Two weeks into Mounjaro, it was like someone flipped a switch. I could walk past a bakery and feel nothing." -u/CraveNoMore
"I keep waiting for the cravings to come back. It feels weird not wanting chips at night, but I’m not complaining." -u/SnackZombie
Some users describe this as freeing - finally able to think clearly without being pulled toward food throughout the day. For others, the absence of cravings is disorienting, even unsettling.
"I thought I was addicted to sugar. Now I don’t even finish a cookie. I didn’t realize how much of my day revolved around food until that noise was gone." -u/QuietHeadspace
The impact is often psychological as well as physical. With cravings silenced, users report greater focus, reduced emotional eating, and more consistent choices - often for the first time in years.
"I used to eat out of boredom or stress. Mounjaro made me pause and realize I wasn’t even hungry most of the time. It’s like I have control now." -u/MindfulFinally
While not universal, this rapid reduction in cravings is one of the most frequently reported effects of Mounjaro - and for many, it’s what sets the medication apart from previous attempts to manage weight or appetite.
Rewired Preferences: "I Crave Different Things Now"
While some users report a total shutdown of cravings, others experience a subtler but equally surprising shift: their food preferences change entirely. Formerly irresistible foods lose appeal, while lighter or more nutritious options take center stage.
"I used to be a pizza-and-pasta kind of person. Now I’m craving cucumbers with vinegar and grilled chicken. Who even am I?" -u/ResetMyTastebuds
"I was addicted to soda. Now the idea of it makes my stomach turn. Water with lemon feels like a treat." -u/BubblesNoMore
In many of these cases, the shift happens without conscious effort. Users aren’t forcing themselves to eat better - they genuinely want different things.
"It’s not about willpower anymore. I naturally want healthier food. My cravings have changed, not just disappeared." -u/FoodFlipFlop
Some even describe long-standing aversions melting away. Foods they once disliked are now tolerable - or even enjoyable.
"I used to gag at the thought of vegetables. Now I’m roasting brussels sprouts like a Food Network contestant." -u/VeggieCurious
This rewiring of preferences may be part of what makes tirzepatide effective - not just by suppressing appetite, but by realigning what the body and brain want. Whether driven by hormonal shifts, gut-brain signaling, or reduced emotional eating, users often describe this change as one of the most lasting benefits.
Cravings Creep Back: "It’s Not as Strong as Before, But It’s There"
While many Mounjaro users experience a near-total elimination of cravings early on, some report that the effect softens over time. Cravings may return - though often in a reduced or more manageable form.
"Month one was like a miracle - I didn’t want anything. But now in month four, I still have control, but I do think about snacks again." -u/FadingSilence
"Cravings never fully went away for me, but they were quiet. Now they’re whispering louder." -u/MostlyBalancedMJ
This creeping return doesn’t always mean failure - or that the medication has "stopped working." For many, it’s more a recalibration than a full relapse. Food begins to sound appealing again, but the urgency is reduced.
"Before Mounjaro, I felt powerless around cravings. Now they’re back, but I can say no. That’s a huge difference." -u/PowerShifted
Sometimes, the reappearance of cravings corresponds with dose changes, time since injection, or even weight stabilization.
"I notice cravings more on day 6 or 7 of the week. That last day before the next dose is always harder." -u/ShotClockWatcher
For others, stress, boredom, or emotional triggers can still light the fuse - especially after months of reduced food preoccupation. But the key difference? Awareness and control.
"I still emotionally eat now and then, but the volume and intensity are way lower. I can catch myself now." -u/NewPatternsForming
This phase often becomes a test of the new habits formed while cravings were muted. For many, it's proof that even if Mounjaro quiets the cravings, lasting change comes from learning how to respond when they return.
Emotional vs. Physical Cravings: Learning the Difference
One of the most common realisations shared by Mounjaro users is how clearly the medication helps them distinguish between physical hunger and emotional cravings - often for the first time in years.
"Before Mounjaro, I thought I was hungry all the time. Turns out, I was just stressed or bored." -u/MindfulNow23
"It’s like someone turned down the background noise and I could finally hear what real hunger feels like." -u/FeelingTheDifference
This shift can be jarring - even emotional. Many users describe moments of grief, reflection, or even anger as they realise how much of their eating was emotionally driven.
"I’ve cried a few times. Realising how much food was my coping mechanism is… a lot." -u/HealingWithoutEating
"I thought cravings meant I needed food. Now I realise they often meant I needed comfort." -u/CravingConnection
Some share how they now pause to ask themselves whether a craving is coming from their stomach or their mind, and use tools like journaling, hydration, or even a short walk to ride it out.
"If I still want it after drinking water and walking for five minutes, I consider it. But 9/10 times, it passes." -u/CuriousPattern
For many, this self-awareness becomes a lasting benefit of Mounjaro - even as the medication begins to fade in intensity. Understanding the emotional roots of cravings allows users to break lifelong habits, with or without ongoing pharmacological support.
Cravings That Won’t Quit: When Mounjaro Isn’t Enough
While many users report reduced cravings, others find that some urges persist, particularly for specific foods like sweets, salty snacks, or fast food. For this group, Mounjaro helps to pause the impulse - but doesn’t erase it.
"I still crave chips like crazy. I don’t always act on it, but the thought is there every night." -u/SnackAttack42
"Sugar is my nemesis. Even on Mounjaro, I dream about donuts. It’s wild." -u/CravingQueen
Some users suspect that habitual eating patterns, especially those tied to specific times or emotions, may override the appetite suppression effects.
"I want junk around 9pm. Same time every night. Mounjaro doesn’t touch that craving - it’s mental, not physical." -u/EveningMunchies
Others note that cravings often spike around dose wear-off, particularly toward the end of the weekly injection cycle.
"Day 6 and 7 are the worst. I start raiding the fridge again like old times." -u/WeekLagsMe
In these cases, users stress the importance of tools beyond medication - such as therapy, journaling, structured meal plans, and building new habits - to address the psychological components of food craving.
"Mounjaro helps, but it’s not magic. I had to learn new coping skills or I’d keep slipping into old patterns." -u/StillDoingTheWork
Ultimately, even when cravings persist, having the pause button can be enough for many users to make better choices - or at least understand what’s driving the urge.
Hormonal Cravings: PMDD, PMS, and Other Triggers
A subset of users - particularly women - report recurring cravings that seem hormonally driven, often tied to their menstrual cycle or hormonal disorders such as PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) or PCOS.
"The week before my period, all bets are off. I want carbs, chocolate, and everything in between." -u/MoonCycleCraver
"Mounjaro helps the rest of the month, but PMS cravings are a beast. I still end up eating a pint of ice cream." -u/NotSoMellowYellow
Others find the severity of cravings decreases, even if the pattern remains.
"I still get period cravings, but they’re not as intense. I can say no now - before it felt impossible." -u/CravingCurve
Hormonal shifts, especially those involving oestrogen and progesterone, can impact serotonin levels and blood sugar regulation, making carb-heavy comfort food feel especially appealing.
"I have PMDD and food was my coping tool. Mounjaro helps reduce the urgency, but the desire is still there." -u/PMDDwarrior
Some users mention considering cycle-aware dosing, though this remains anecdotal and should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
This highlights an important nuance: not all cravings are created equal, and for some, hormonal fluctuations still override even the most potent GLP-1 effects.
When Mounjaro Isn’t Enough: Cravings That Persist
While many users report a dramatic drop in cravings, not everyone experiences complete relief. For a minority, strong urges for specific foods continue despite being on tirzepatide.
"It didn’t kill my cravings completely. I still think about sweets, just less often." -u/StillSweetTooth
"Mounjaro helped with portion control but not with emotional eating. I still crave junk when I’m stressed." -u/ComfortCruncher
Some users attribute this to habit, stress, or unresolved emotional patterns, rather than hunger itself. Others say certain foods - like sugary snacks or processed carbs - retain their pull no matter what.
"The physical hunger is gone, but the craving for chips? Still there, especially after a long day." -u/SaltySnackMode
A few users explore therapy or mindful eating techniques alongside medication to manage these lingering urges.
"I had to work on why I eat, not just what I eat. Mounjaro was just the start." -u/BeyondTheFridge
These perspectives serve as a reminder that GLP-1s aren’t magic bullets. For some, cravings are deeply wired - emotional, habitual, or sensory. Mounjaro may quiet the noise, but not erase it completely.
Cravings Coming Back: What Users Say About the Return of Urges
For some Mounjaro users, initial relief from cravings doesn’t last forever. After weeks or months of diminished desire for certain foods, cravings can gradually - or suddenly - return.
"Month 3 was bliss. Then I started thinking about pastries again out of nowhere." -u/FlakyThoughts
"I was doing great, but lately I’ve been wanting sugar again. Not like before, but it’s creeping in." -u/SugarPhase2
Often, this shift is linked to dose changes, tolerance buildup, or changes in routine or stress levels.
"I lowered my dose temporarily and immediately noticed cravings were back." -u/DownADose
"Stressful week and bam - I wanted all the comfort food. Mounjaro couldn’t stop that." -u/ComfortEatingReturns
Some users find that adjusting the dose upward helps restore appetite control, while others explore behavioral tools or stricter meal planning to manage resurging cravings.
"I had to go up to 10mg. That brought the control back. But I’m more mindful now too." -u/DoseMattersMJ
"I created a ‘craving protocol’ - herbal tea, 10-minute walk, then reassess. Sounds silly, but it works." -u/CravingTamer
These accounts illustrate that the journey isn’t always linear. While many enjoy sustained freedom from food cravings, others face ups and downs - requiring flexibility, awareness, and sometimes medical support to stay on track.
Conclusion: Cravings, Control, and the Ongoing Journey
For many Mounjaro users, freedom from cravings is one of the most powerful and liberating changes they experience. Whether it’s the end of late-night snacking, the ability to walk past a bakery without flinching, or finally feeling neutral toward sugar, the shift can be life-altering.
But it’s not always permanent - and it’s not always perfect. Cravings can return, especially during periods of stress, dose changes, or emotional upheaval. What users consistently share is that managing cravings on Mounjaro still requires awareness, self-compassion, and in some cases, strategy.
The medication can reduce the noise - but learning to live in the new silence is part of the work. For some, that means addressing emotional eating triggers. For others, it’s building new habits or understanding what satisfaction means beyond just food.
"Cravings are less about the cookie and more about why I wanted the cookie." -u/FoodForThoughtMJ
We asked Alessandro Grenci, Superintendent Pharmacist at Medino, for his take on why cravings change with Mounjaro and what to do if they persist:
"Tirzepatide works by targeting hormones like GLP-1 and GIP, which help regulate blood sugar and slow gastric emptying - but they also influence reward and satiety signals in the brain. That’s why many people notice a significant reduction in cravings and food-related urges." "However, if cravings return or persist, it doesn’t mean the medication isn’t working. It may be linked to stress, emotional habits, or other factors. Don’t hesitate to speak to your doctor or pharmacist - sometimes a small adjustment in dose or timing can make a big difference."
Ultimately, progress isn’t linear - but the ability to pause, reflect, and make a conscious choice is a huge step forward. Even if cravings return, you’re not back at square one. You're better equipped, more aware, and still on your path.
