Jeremy Clarkson has revealed the surprising snack that is aiding his weight loss after he stopped using Ozempic, a drug originally designed for diabetes treatment but often used off-label for weight loss.
The Clarkson’s Farm star, who underwent major heart surgery last year, has been focused on improving his health. Clarkson, determined to be around for his grandchildren, has made significant lifestyle changes in his effort to lose weight.
Clarkson shared that he initially tried Ozempic, which many people use to shed pounds quickly. However, the medication didn’t work for him. In his Sunday Times column, he admitted that, instead of losing weight, he actually gained half a stone while using the drug.
“My body lost the ability to handle overeating,” Clarkson wrote. “Once the initial enthusiasm wore off, I still craved breakfast treats like Cadbury Fruit & Nut. It made me sick, but after vomiting, I figured I could eat more — maybe another bottle of wine and a chocolate bar.”
Instead of turning to medications, Clarkson found an unlikely snack to help him slim down: snail caviar. He explained that while the snack is made from the eggs of land snails, it tastes surprisingly similar to the real thing. “A teaspoon of snail caviar on half a Ritz cracker is like a modern-day version of a medieval feast,” he said.
Snail caviar, a luxury item produced in countries like Austria, France, and Poland, has become a trendy food among gourmets. Clarkson noted that it has helped him feel fuller and avoid overeating.
Clarkson has also been motivated by a desire to live longer for the sake of his grandchildren. He has two grandchildren, with the most recent born just before Christmas. “I want to be around for as long as possible,” Clarkson wrote, expressing his wish to enjoy more time with them. “That means doing everything I can to avoid dying.”
In the past, Clarkson struggled to maintain an active lifestyle, saying, “Michelangelo’s David burns more calories than I do when I’m out and about.” This led to weight gain and breathlessness, prompting him to make serious changes for his health.
After his heart surgery, Clarkson took up Pilates. He humorously described his early experiences, noting that his pelvis was “so cockeyed it looked like a broken shotgun,” but he was committed to improving. He also joked that his fat now “hurts” when he exercises.
The former Top Gear host admitted that for years, he had relied on luck to stay alive. “But now, I’m in sniper’s alley and I have to work at dodging the bullets,” he said.
While Clarkson’s choice to use Ozempic sparked debate, medical experts have raised concerns about the drug’s widespread use for weight loss. Fiona Yassin, an eating disorder specialist, warned that Ozempic is not approved for weight loss in the UK for people without diabetes. She stressed the risks of using such drugs to alter one’s self-image, comparing it to behaviors seen in substance use disorders.
Some obesity experts have also pointed out that Ozempic doesn’t work for everyone. According to Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity expert at Massachusetts General Hospital, up to 20 percent of people may not respond to the drug. Side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, can be significant for some users.
Despite the controversy surrounding Ozempic, Clarkson’s focus on healthier habits continues, with the star finding success in less conventional methods like snail caviar and Pilates.
