Jeremy Clarkson has shared the surprising snack aiding his weight loss after he stopped using Ozempic, a drug originally designed for diabetes but increasingly used as a weight-loss aid.
The Clarkson’s Farm star, who underwent major heart surgery last year, has made significant lifestyle changes as part of his effort to lose weight. Clarkson, determined to live longer, opened up about his health journey and the changes he’s made to get fitter.
Clarkson initially tried Ozempic, but it didn’t work for him. In his Sunday Times column, he admitted he gained half a stone while using the drug. “My body lost the ability to deal with gluttony,” Clarkson wrote. “But once the initial excitement wore off, I still craved Cadbury Fruit & Nut for breakfast.” This led to frequent sickness as he continued indulging. “After vomiting, I figured I was empty and could have another bottle or another bar of chocolate,” he added.
Instead of continuing with Ozempic, Clarkson discovered an unexpected snack that has helped him lose weight: snail caviar. He explained that while it might sound strange, it has been surprisingly effective. “It’s actually unborn snails, but weirdly it tastes and feels like the real deal,” he said. Clarkson enjoys it with a Ritz cracker, calling it “the 21st century’s answer to a medieval banquet.”
Snail caviar, made from the eggs of land snails, is a luxury delicacy produced in countries like Austria, France, and Poland. It’s known for being a gourmet treat.
Clarkson has also been motivated to make these changes by a desire to be around for his grandchildren. He has two grandchildren, the most recent of whom was born just before Christmas. Reflecting on them, he wrote, “I want it to go on for as long as possible, which means I must do everything I can to not die.”
In the past, Clarkson had tried to become more active, but without much success. “Michelangelo’s David burns more calories than I do when I’m out and about,” he quipped. “I continued to get fatter and more out of breath, which isn’t good enough when you want to see your grandchildren grow up.”
Since his heart surgery, Clarkson has embraced Pilates. He humorously noted that his body is in poor shape, saying his pelvis is “cockeyed” and his legs feel “heavy,” but added that his fat can now be made to hurt.
Reflecting on his previous lack of a consistent health routine, Clarkson admitted, “I’ve relied on luck to keep me alive. But now, I’m in sniper’s alley, and I have to work at dodging the bullets.”
While Clarkson has shared his journey, the use of Ozempic for weight loss has faced criticism. Fiona Yassin, an eating disorder specialist and clinical director of The Wave Clinic, emphasized that Ozempic is not licensed for weight loss in the UK for people without diabetes. “It’s concerning to use medication like this to change how we feel about ourselves, as it mimics behaviors seen in substance use disorders,” she said.
Experts in obesity medicine, including Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford from Massachusetts General Hospital, noted that up to 20% of patients may not respond well to the drug, with side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dr. Stanford added, “It’s important to understand that different people have different responses to these treatments.”
