March 23, 2025 — The campaign to Make America Healthy Again is cranking up with some eye-opening messaging. An early leader in this campaign turns out to be a burger chain, Steak ’n Shake. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised the chain last week for making french fries healthy again: “Congratulations @SteaknShake for being the […]
March 17, 2025 — Nothing succeeds like success. And thus, the success of GLP-1 medicines for obesity seems to be prompting a re-ordering of marketing for packaged food. Under the Healthy Choice brand, ConAgra has begun promoting an ON TRACK badge that identifies their meals as “GLP-1 Friendly,” as well as high in fiber and protein. ConAgra Senior VP […]
March 16, 2025 — A regulatory detail deep within the thicket of FDA rules is getting sharp attention. This week, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. asked FDA to find a way to restrict something called GRAS. That stands for generally recognized as safe. Right now, a food company can “self certify” that a chemical food additive is GRAS. Then they […]
March 8, 2025 — “It takes years for scientists to prove things we’ve always known were true – like food addiction.” This thought emerged from the meeting this week of the Roundtable on Obesity Solutions. The current science of food noise was a focus. In the course of some outstanding presentations, three distinct and distinctly challenging concepts mixed together […]
February 24, 2025 — Microgreens, those tiny, tender plants harvested just days after germination, are making a big splash in both the culinary and health worlds. Beyond their vibrant flavors and colors, these miniature greens score quite well in terms of nutrition and benefits to the environment. A new study in Scientific Reports tells us the the trend toward […]
February 16, 2025 — In its modern usage, cynicism has two principal meanings. It is a belief that only self-interest motivates people, an outlook that distrusts human sincerity or integrity. Expressions of contempt and mocking follow from such thinking. The other meaning is to show concern for self-interests while disregarding accepted norms. Under either meaning, the U.S. Senate this […]
February 1, 2025 — The sincerity and passion of Dariush Mozaffarian is easy to recognize and admire. His deep belief in the opportunity for good food to make us healthier is familiar. It echoes the impassioned pitch of a politician before Senate hearings this week. Too many Americans have too many “diet-related” diseases. Time’s a wastin’! Let them all […]
January 18, 2025 — In the midst of lot of news about obesity this week came a pretty big announcement from FDA. The agency is proposing to require front-of-pack nutrition labels for most packaged foods in the U.S. FDA is optimistic. Food policy advocates are cheering. This will be a big opportunity to reduce obesity says FDA: The U.S. […]
January 11, 2025 — Yes. This is a relief. We are in the midst of what used to be called “diet season.” Yet we are not getting an onslaught of advice about Atkins, paleo, vegan, or an assortment of obscure dietary approaches for fast weight loss. Instead, we are getting tips for healthy eating – such as this advice […]
December 26, 2024 — This has been quite a year. We’ve seen endless death and destruction in Ukraine and the Middle East. People expressed discontent with the status quo in elections all over the world. But most notably for our readers – more than 100,000 of you this year – the progress on obesity and health has been nothing […]
