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Vox
03-07-2025
- Health
- Vox
Ultra-processed foods: A patriotic American tradition!
covers health for Vox, guiding readers through the emerging opportunities and challenges in improving our health. He has reported on health policy for more than 10 years, writing for Governing magazine, Talking Points Memo, and STAT before joining Vox in 2017. Eating a hot dog on July Fourth isn't just traditional. It's patriotic. From iconic red, white, and blue rocket pops (hello, Red Dye 40!) to nitrate-loaded hot dogs and the all-day parade of sugary drinks and alcohol, this quintessential American holiday is a celebration of freedom — and, often, dietary chaos. And yet these days, many of us seem to be having second thoughts about the American diet. Our food is too processed, too loaded with dyes and preservatives. The country's obesity and diabetes epidemics, which have led to an explosion in the diagnoses of related chronic health conditions, have put the issue front and center, with much of the blame being placed on what we eat and all of the additives and preservatives it contains. About half of US adults believe food additives and chemicals are a large or moderate risk to their health — higher than the perceived risks of infectious disease outbreaks or climate change, according to a recent poll from Ipsos, a global market research firm. We all worry about microplastics, nitrates, food dyes, and ultra-processed foods. And US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made improving Americans' diets and our food supply a top priority. It's a policy emphasis that's popular with the public: Two-thirds of US adults believe artificial dyes and pesticides make our foods unsafe to eat — and these are opinions that transcend political leanings, according to Ipsos. Related 40 maps that explain food in America And regardless of our entrenched food system, people are trying to make healthier decisions in their daily lives: 64 percent of US adults say they pay more attention to food labels than they did five years ago, according to the public health nonprofit NSF International. But we are frustrated: Only 16 percent of Americans say they find claims on food labels trustworthy. It may sound unbelievable on a holiday when Americans will gladly stuff their faces with ultra-processed junk while wearing flag-laden paraphernalia, but these days, many of us actually wish the products in our grocery stores looked a little more like the ones across the Atlantic. Just 37 percent of American adults said in the NSF International survey that our food labeling was better than in other countries. Most Americans say they want changes to how foods at our grocery stores are labeled. American food really is different from what can be found in Europe, both in its substance and in its packaging. But while we're probably not doing any favors to our health by consuming ultraprocessed foods loaded with artificial ingredients that are banned elsewhere, the biggest source of our health woes isn't necessarily these artificial dyes and preservatives. It's the cholesterol and saturated fat in that hot dog, the sugar in that lemonade, and those ultra-processed potato chips. Americans consume about twice as much sugar as other rich countries do on average, eat more ultra-processed foods, and consume more trans and saturated fats than Europeans. We also eat enormous portions, and calories, no matter where they come from, are a big part of the problem. Americans are generally in poorer health than our peers in Europe, and US life expectancy continues to trail behind other wealthy countries. Rich Americans actually fare worse than poor Europeans, according to one study. A new era of American greatness starts at the picnic table this July Fourth. Yes, we ostensibly rebelled against an English monarchy in order to be able to do whatever we want, even eat whatever we want. But if we want to catch up to our European rivals again in how healthy we feel, how productive we are, and how long we live — we need to take a closer look at the stuff we're putting in our bodies. American food really does have different stuff in it Doctors widely agree that ultra-processed foods and food additives are bad for children's health. Yet they have become more and more readily available over the decades: One 2023 study found 60 percent of the food that Americans buy has additives, a 10 percent increase since 2001. Kennedy, the head of the Department of Health and Human Services, the country's top health agency, has made overhauling US food production a top priority. His department's recent MAHA report highlights steps taken by other countries, including France and the Nordic countries, to discourage people through their dietary guidelines from eating ultra-processed foods. The report lists several additives and artificial ingredients that are permitted in American food but are banned or heavily restricted across the pond. Kennedy suggests that the US should follow suit. So where might we begin? Let's start with Red Dye 40, the color additive found in foods such as Froot Loops and M&Ms that has been linked to hyperactivity in children and, according to some animal studies, has been shown to accelerate tumor growth in mice. The US has not placed any special requirements on Red Dye 40, aside from its listing alongside other ingredients. But the European Union has required a clear warning label on any food with the dye, and some countries (including Germany, France, and Denmark) have banned it outright. A similar warning could be adopted here. There are other additives casually lurking in American foods that have been restricted in other countries. Here are a few: Titanium dioxide: Another food coloring that can be added to candies like Skittles and coffee creamers for a bright white effect. The EU banned it in 2022 because of Another food coloring that can be added to candies like Skittles and coffee creamers for a bright white effect. The EU banned it in 2022 because of evidence it could affect the human body's genetic material, while the US continues to allow its use. Propyl paraben: This preservative is regarded as safe in the US, often This preservative is regarded as safe in the US, often added to mass-produced American baked goods such as Sara Lee cinnamon rolls or Weight Watchers lemon creme cake. But its use has been prohibited in the EU because of research indicating it could mess with hormone function. Butylated hydroxytoluene: Another preservative that's sometimes added to breakfast cereals and potato chips to extend their shelf life. It's generally regarded as safe for use in the United States despite evidence that it could compromise kidney and liver function and Another preservative that's sometimes added to breakfast cereals and potato chips to extend their shelf life. It's generally regarded as safe for use in the United States despite evidence that it could compromise kidney and liver function and concerns that it could cause cancer. In the EU, however, its use is subject to strict regulation. There are some artificial sweeteners, too — aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin — that are permitted in the US and the EU, but generally, Europe puts many more restrictions on unhealthy artificial ingredients than the US does. Kennedy is pledging he'll do something about it. His biggest win so far is securing voluntary commitments from food manufacturers to remove a variety of artificial dyes — yes, including Red Dye 40 — from their products before the end of 2026. If they fail to comply, he has suggested new regulations to put a limit on or outright prohibit certain substances of concern. But are these ingredients the most important problem with our July Fourth cookouts? They are part of the issue. But there's more to it. The real problem is the American diet, dyed or not Here's a revealing comparison: In 2018, the United States banned trans fats, an artificial ingredient derived from oils that has been linked to heart disease and diabetes — 15 years after Denmark did the same thing. For more than a decade, Americans kept eating a ton of trans fat — something that is so bad for you that it can simultaneously increase bad cholesterol while lowering good cholesterol. While that is probably not the entire reason that the US has double the obesity and diabetes rates as Denmark does, it is a telling example. A fatty and highly processed ingredient that is linked to two of the biggest health problems in the United States persisted for years in American food, long after the Europeans had wised up. It's a pattern that, across the decades, explains the enormous gulf between the typical American's diet and the Mediterranean diet that dominates much of Europe. During the 20th century, amid an explosion in market-driven consumerism, convenience became one of the most important factors for grocery shoppers. Americans wanted more meals that could be quickly prepared inside the microwave and dry goods that could last for weeks and months on a pantry shelf, and so these products gained more and more of a market share. But that meant that more American food products were laced with more of the preservatives and additives that are now drawing so much concern. Americans have also always eaten more meat, cheese, and butter, animal products high in saturated fats as opposed to the unsaturated fats that come from oils like olive oil and are more common in European diets, for years. Our meat obsession was turbocharged by a meat industry that tapped into patriotic sentiments about pioneering farms making their living off the frontier. Eating a diet with more animal products is associated with a long list of health problems, particularly the cardiovascular conditions that remain the biggest killers of Americans. Related What the MAHA movement gets wrong about meat We should push our policymakers to pass regulations that get rid of artificial additives, but that alone is insufficient. You can find too much fat and too much sugar around the picnic table. Some of it is unnatural, but plenty of it is. America has to figure out how to encourage people to eat low-fat, low-sugar, whole-food diets. That's the real path to better health. MAHA has some good ideas. Its emphasis on whole foods, not processed ones, is a step in the right direction. But Kennedy's prescriptions are contradictory: Kennedy wants to make it easier for people to find whole foods at their nearby store, while Republicans in Congress propose massive cuts to food stamps. Kennedy's MAHA report rails against the overuse of pesticides, but Trump's Environmental Protection Agency is rolling back restrictions on their use. Those contradictions are a reminder that, though Kennedy has shone a light on a worthwhile issue, we can't and we shouldn't expect the government to fix our food problems all on its own. This is America, after all, where we pride ourselves on individualism.
CNET
05-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
5 Best Supplements to Gain Weight
When it comes to working out, your end goal may be to lose weight. But if you struggle to keep on weight, want to pack on muscle or need a boost in pounds for sports or lifestyle, there are certain foods and supplements that can help you attain your goals. Several factors play into your body's ability to gain weight, such as age, gender, genetics, diseases and physical activity. It should be noted that if you want to gain weight, you should first start by gaining muscle. Here are the best supplements, nutrients and vitamins you should take to gain weight and muscle. What to look for in your weight gain supplements Finding the right supplements to gain weight can be tricky. Here are a few tips to navigate the many options. Verifications : Look for vitamins and supplements that have official certifications. In the US, the Dietary Supplement Verification Program ensures any product with a USP-verified label contains accurate, pure ingredients and has been manufactured using Good Manufacturing Practices. NSF International certifies products for label and content accuracy, checks for purity and contaminants and audits the manufacturing process for Good Manufacturing Practices compliance. The Consumer Lab also tests supplements for accuracy of ingredient identity, content and purity. Lastly, the Natural Products Association also has a Good Manufacturing program. : Look for vitamins and supplements that have official certifications. In the US, the Dietary Supplement Verification Program ensures any product with a USP-verified label contains accurate, pure ingredients and has been manufactured using Good Manufacturing Practices. NSF International certifies products for label and content accuracy, checks for purity and contaminants and audits the manufacturing process for Good Manufacturing Practices compliance. The Consumer Lab also tests supplements for accuracy of ingredient identity, content and purity. Lastly, the Natural Products Association also has a Good Manufacturing program. Dietary restrictions : If you have dietary restrictions, look for supplements that do not contain the ingredients you want to avoid like milk, egg, soy, gluten or shellfish. There are also supplements that are made for vegetarians and vegans. : If you have dietary restrictions, look for supplements that do not contain the ingredients you want to avoid like milk, egg, soy, gluten or shellfish. There are also supplements that are made for vegetarians and vegans. Non-GMO: The best supplements will be non-GMO and have no added sugars, colors or dyes. Best supplements for weight gain Huizeng Hu/Moment/Getty Images These are our top five supplements to gain weight that are worth your money. Protein powder The first place to start if you're looking to gain weight is your protein. If you prefer to not take any protein powders, you can try increasing the amount of protein-rich foods in your diet. These include: Beef, lamb, chicken and pork Eggs Dairy Nuts Soy Fish However, you might find it easier to add protein shakes to your workout routine. Whey protein is an easy way to exponentially increase your protein intake. Studies show that whey protein helps increase lean body mass and muscle. Creatine Creatine is an amino acid that provides energy directly to the body and creates the energy compound adenosine triphosphate. ATP helps the muscles quickly contract during workouts. Creatine is found naturally in red meats, poultry and fish. Creatine is available in powder or pill form and can be flavored. It can be taken before or after a meal, and it is recommended to stay hydrated during the day. Studies have found that creatine is effective in long- and short-term muscle growth and improved athletic performance. However, individuals with suspected renal dysfunction should refrain from creatine supplementation. Fats and carbohydrates It's no secret that fats and carbohydrates help increase your body mass. There are three categories of fats -- unsaturated fats, saturated fats and trans fats. Unsaturated fats are considered "good fats," and studies have found that these fats can help increase muscle and overall mass. "Good fats" can be found naturally in foods such as: Salmon, tuna Avocados Olive, canola and peanut oils Peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts and pecans Pumpkin, sunflower and sesame seeds Carbohydrates are transformed into energy, which is essential for working out and exercising. Studies suggest that carbohydrates and protein work together to increase muscle mass. Carbohydrates can be found naturally in foods such as: Bread Beans Milk Grains Pasta Fruit Thiamine (B1) Vitamins and micronutrients don't naturally contain any calories, so they cannot contribute to weight gain. However, if you're deficient in specific vitamins, such as thiamine, weight gain may be more difficult. A deficiency in thiamine can suppress your appetite and cause fatigue, therefore making it harder to eat more and build body and muscle mass. Thiamine is found naturally in foods such as: Enriched white egg or rice noodles Pork Black beans Yogurt Corn Sunflower seeds If you're deficient or lacking in B vitamins, consider a supplement. Iron An iron deficiency also may decrease your appetite. Iron is important for your red blood cells and the transportation of oxygen. This nutrient is found naturally in foods such as: Red meats Beans Nuts Dried fruits Fortified cereals If you're deficient or lacking in iron, consider a supplement. Bottom line If you want to increase your body mass, the most important steps are to take in more calories and work out. This way, you will have more energy to burn while exercising and you should pack on muscle. It's healthier to have more of your body weight come from muscle than fat. In addition to these two important steps, you can add certain supplements, nutrients and vitamins to your diet or exercise routine. Protein in the form of foods, such as meats, nuts, eggs or dairy, or the form of powders, shakes or supplements is a great place to start. Creatine powder is also often used as an after-workout shake. Fats and carbohydrates, vitamin B1 and iron are also good additions to any meal that you may already be making, especially if you are deficient. If you aren't getting enough vitamins or nutrients from your regular day-to-day diet, vitamin supplements are recommended. It might be the extra boost you're looking for.
