Latest news with #ultraProcessedFoods
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
MAHA's Focus On Improving Nutrition Is At Odds With Trump Policies
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 22: U.S. President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert ... More F. Kennedy Jr. attend an event introducing a new Make America Healthy Again Commission report in the East Room of the White House on May 22, 2025 in Washington, DC. The commission, which is tasked with studying the potential causes for the "childhood chronic disease crisis," recommends reassessing the nation's childhood vaccine schedule, scrutinizing ultra-processed foods and studying pesticides used in commercial farming. At the same time, the Trump administration has proposed a FY2026 budget of $94 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services — a reduction of about 26-percent from the 2025 level — cutting programs and staff at the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Photo by) In introducing the first Make America Healthy Again Commission report, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the focus is childhood chronic disease prevention, with a particular emphasis on nutrition. But several key Trump administration policies appear to be inconsistent with this goal. And the report does not include several notably absent topics that are known to cause certain chronic diseases. The first MAHA Commission report released in May identifies multifarious drivers of childhood chronic disease, including poor diet and specifically the shift over time to ultra-processed foods, overuse of pesticides in agriculture, food dyes in products for sale in grocery stores and a cumulative overload of chemicals in the environment. The document offers a potpourri of high-level policy recommendations to counter these trends. In a tweet, Kennedy touted on June 19th that 'artificial dyes and additives are being removed from America's food supply.' Thus far, however, only Red Dye No. 3 has been banned and this occurred under the Biden administration. Manufacturers have until Jan. 2027 to remove this specific dye from their products. The HHS budget for 2026 proposes $14 billion in discretionary funding for programs that aim to reverse what Secretary Kennedy calls the 'chronic disease epidemic,' as it consolidates entities housed under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention into the Administration for a Healthy America, namely the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. AHA is being called the 'primary federal agency committed to transforming the health of all Americans by addressing the root causes of chronic disease, promoting preventive care, advancing mental health and substance use services, and increasing access to a healthy environment and foods.' But only $2 million is being allocated to nutrition, an amount experts suggest is inadequate. They believe the figure should be doubled to at least $4 billion to achieve the objectives laid out by Secretary Kennedy. And despite the MAHA report raising concerns about American agricultural products, other Trump cabinet officials insist that the nation's food supply is safe. Differences in views on glyphosate, a commonly used chemical sprayed on crops, illustrate the disconnect. Glyphosate is cited in the report as a major contributor in the rise of chronic disease. It is a substance that may cause serious health problems, including cancer. But the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin, doesn't want to further regulate glyphosate. On food safety generally, Kennedy appears to be at odds with director Zeldin's decisions to deregulate pesticides. The MAHA report makes dozens of references to dietary guidelines and food standards in Europe that prohibit the use of certain pesticides in agriculture. However, Zeldin has promised no more regulations, arguing that European-style mandates would stifle economic growth. Furthermore, Congress and the Trump administration back cuts to assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that would seem to undermine efforts to improve people's access to food, whether of high or low quality. Food and diet researchers are also criticizing the direction the National Institutes of Health are going in possibly stifling debate regarding the merits and demerits of different foods. According to STAT News, more than 70 top U.S. nutrition scientists signed a letter last month demanding that NIH director Jay Bhattacharya address alleged censorship at the agency, writing that their colleagues 'need the freedom to present their findings in scientific meetings without political oversight, and to author and co-author freely in the scientific literature.' The letter is in part a response to censorship allegations from former top NIH nutrition scientist Kevin Hall, whose research on ultra-processed foods was cut short when he resigned in April, complaining of interference from his superiors. The MAHA Commission report attributes adverse health effects to nutrient depletion owing to 'ultra-processed grains, sugars, and fats,' as well as intake of more calories and inclusion of food additives. There is empirical support for this. For example, a 2024 review of the evidence, which included dozens of analyses, linked 'higher consumption of ultra-processed foods to poor cardiometabolic health, increasing the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease.' At the same time, the scientific evidence for how ultra-processed foods affect our health isn't unequivocal. In fact, according to a story by the New Scientist covering a recent meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, scientists don't agree that simply opting for less processed foods guarantees a healthy diet. Additionally, former Director of FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition during the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations from 2015 to 2023, Susan Mayne, says the report omits other well-accepted drivers of chronic disease, such as high intake of sodium and saturated fat. Instead, it criticizes the current set of U.S. dietary guidelines for 'problematic reductionist recommendations' in reference to advice to 'reduce saturated fat' or 'limit sodium.' But in the case of sodium, this seems to ignore decades of research showing that sodium is over-consumed in the U.S., contributing to chronic disease. There are other conspicuous apparent oversights regarding HHS policy. For instance, STAT News notes that the MAHA Commission report includes no mentions of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge-eating. Such eating disorders have been on the rise for decades, especially among young women and girls. Evidently, research on these eating disorders is being disproportionately affected by ongoing federal grant terminations, according to experts in the field. Also, Reuters reports that despite rising levels of alcoholism, which is conducive to a myriad of chronic diseases, revisions to the U.S. dietary guidelines under RFK Jr. may loosen federal guidance on alcohol consumption that currently advises no more than one to two daily drinks.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
11 sneaky ultra-processed foods you should avoid if you're over 50, according to doctor
The health risks associated with ultra-processed foods have been getting a lot of attention recently. Not only have they been associated with higher risk of obesity and several other chronic conditions, but new research is shedding even more light on the negative impact they can have on your health. What's more is that Canadians are consuming more ultra-processed foods than ever, with these products making up 43.4 percent of the daily energy intake of adults 20 and older, according to a recent study by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. You may also be surprised to learn that ultra-processed foods also include some surprising items labelled as health foods — it's not just junk food like candy and chips. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. Of course, risks associated with ultra-processed foods aren't limited to one age group, body type or socioeconomic demographic. But if you're over 50, you may want to be especially mindful of how much of these all-too-common staples you consume. Read on for more information on the risks — and which foods to avoid on your next grocery run. 'It's important to avoid ultra-processed foods, as there is mounting evidence that they negatively impact the diversity of bacteria in your gut,' said Dr. Michael Schopis, MD, a gastroenterologist at Manhattan Gastroenterology in New York. 'Studies suggest that ultra-processed foods may increase the growth of pro-inflammatory organisms and decrease the growth of protective bacteria in the intestine. Moreover, some studies suggest that ultra-processed foods may impair intestinal barrier function which may ultimately lead to an inflammatory state.' Inflammation isn't all bad — it's your body's response to injury, disease and infection-causing bacteria and viruses, and it aids in healing. But when inflammation persists, it can cause numerous health issues. Aging leads to persistent inflammation, which has been dubbed 'inflammaging." This chronic, low-grade inflammation can impact brain health and lead to frailty. Researchers believe it's also the reason our risk of certain diseases increases with age, including Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and heart disease. To boot, ultra-processed foods are now known to be responsible for more than a third of heart and stroke deaths in Canada. 'Ultra-processed foods can sometimes be difficult to identify,' says Schopis. 'The simplest way of knowing what's ultra-processed is by reading the nutritional label and looking for the presence of cosmetic or preservative additives that either improve the taste of the foods or extend its shelf-life.' Common ultra-processed ingredients to look for are things like: Additive colours Flavour enhancers Emulsifiers Artificial sweeteners A good rule of thumb is to look for the inclusion of ingredients you don't find in your kitchen. While all processed foods contain additives like these, ultra-processed foods typically contain many more added ingredients. 'Typical foods that fall into this category are sugar-sweetened beverages — think energy drinks or sodas, candies, savoury or sweet packaged snacks — think flavoured chips or cookies, instant noodles, ready-to-heat pizzas or pastas or processed meats,' says Schopis. These are typically considered the worst ultra-processed foods because they tend to be highest in sugar, sodium and saturated fats which can raise cholesterol and lead to obesity. But, if you're over 50, there are several seemingly-healthy staples to also be aware of, including those found in the health food aisle. Research shows that many older adults consume ultra-processed foods regularly for several reasons, ranging from their affordability and convenience, to simply being foods that they've consumed throughout their lives. And, with many Canadians over 50 reporting that they actively try to eat healthy, some may be turning to ultra-processed foods labelled as being natural, healthy or organic without even realizing it. Keep in mind that while the original ingredients in a product may well be natural or organic, the process by which the food was made is what makes it ultra-processed, and in turn, less healthy. Packaged breads Margarines and spreads Cereals Fruit-flavoured yogurt Ready-to-eat meat, seafood and poultry products Plant-based meat Protein bars Protein and energy shakes Meal replacement shakes and powders Instant soups (powdered and packaged) Boxed pasta Availability and affordability may make it difficult to completely avoid ultra-processed food — and some ultra-processed foods are fortified with important vitamins and minerals, like vitamin D and iron, which are crucial for good health. And, let's face it, some of these are just so darn tasty that you can't imagine saying goodbye to them forever. If you're looking to cut back, here are some ways to help you eat better and cut back on ultra-processed foods: Read nutritional labels and avoid foods with lots of additives Limit ultra-processed foods to those with a higher nutritional value Look for healthier substitutes, like plain yogurt over flavoured options Cook yourself more often using whole foods as much as possible
The Guardian
21-06-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Key RFK Jr advisers stand to profit from a new federal health initiative
Federal health officials are seeking to launch a 'bold, edgy' public service campaign to warn Americans of the dangers of ultra-processed foods in social media, transit ads, billboards and even text messages. And they potentially stand to profit off the results. Ultra-processed foods are a fixation for the US health and human services (HHS) secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, a vaccine skeptic who believes the US industrialized food supply is a 'primary culprit' behind many chronic diseases. 'We need to fix our food supply. And that's the number one thing,' Kennedy said at his confirmation hearing. Bringing healthier foods to Americans has proved to be one of the most resonant issues of Kennedy's 'Make America healthy again' (Maha) campaign – and arguably the only one that Democrats and Republicans agree on in principle. Kennedy has spent most of his tenure as health secretary dismantling key components of US vaccine infrastructure, instituting mass firings and defunding chronic disease prevention programs, such as for tobacco use. The secretary has been less successful in reigning in food makers. Food advocates have described voluntary changes between the government and manufacturers 'disappointing'. Kennedy was criticized by congressional Republicans for targeting agricultural pesticides in the 'Maha' report before it was even released – showing the limits of Republicans appetite for regulation, then the report itself was riddled with errors, likely generated by AI. 'The campaign's creative content will turn heads, create viral moments on social media, and – above all else – inspire Americans to take back their health through eating real food,' said a document published by the federal government that described the campaign. The campaign is expected to cost between $10m to $20m, according to documents. Anyone seeking to apply for the award will have a quick turnaround – the deadline is 26 June. 'The purpose of this requirement is to alert Americans to the role of processed foods in fueling the diabetes epidemic and other chronic diseases, inspire people to take personal responsibility for their diets, and drive measurable improvements in diabetes prevention and national health outcomes,' it continued. The new public relations campaign also highlights the Trump administration's unconventional approach to hiring – including its reliance on special government employees. A key adviser to Kennedy, Calley Means, could directly benefit from one of the campaign's stated aims: popularizing 'technology like wearables as cool, modern tools for measuring diet impact and taking control of your own health'. Calley Means is a senior Kennedy adviser, and was hired as a special government employee to focus on food policy, according to Bloomberg. He founded a company that helps Americans get such wearable devices reimbursed tax-free through health savings accounts. Casey Means is Calley's sister. She also runs a healthcare start-up, although hers sells wearable devices such as continuous glucose monitors. She is Kennedy's nominee for US surgeon general, and a healthcare entrepreneur whose business sells continuous glucose monitors – one such wearable device. Calley Means's company also works with Casey's company. Due to Calley Means's status as a special employee, he has not been forced to divest from his private business interests – a situation that has already resulted in an ethics complaint. Consumer advocates, such as the non-profit group Public Citizen, had warned such hiring practices could cause conflicts of interest. HHS did not respond to a request for comment about Calley Means's private business interests, or his role in crafting the publicity campaign. Although the publicity campaign focuses on the ultra-processed foods connection to diabetes, at least one high profile nutritionist was queasy about its focus. 'The ultra-processed foods – some of those include breakfast cereals that are ultra-processed because they are fortified with vitamins,' said Walter Willett, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. 'Those are good if they're whole grain breakfast cereals and whole grain breads,' he said. Ultra-processed foods are generally recognized as sodas, salty snacks and frozen meals engineered to be shelf-stable, convenient and inexpensive. Such foods are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes – or insulin resistance. The mechanism by which such foods could increase risk of diabetes is unknown, a problem that extends in part from the 'heterogeneous category' of foods that the ultra-processed category encompasses. The publicity campaign proposal does not venture into defining the category, even as Kennedy has fixated on it 'poisoning the American people'. 'When you say processed foods you don't envision a Coke in your brain, and that's the biggest problem,' said Willett, who added that most public service campaigns are carefully crafted and tested for effectiveness.
Fox News
18-06-2025
- Health
- Fox News
YouTube star Doctor Mike has warning for RFK Jr.'s MAHA movement
Social media star Doctor Mike shared his thoughts in a new interview on the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement and how he believes the movement can be improved. Board-certified physician and YouTuber Dr. Mikhail Varshavski has been outspoken about his criticisms of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. However, he told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview that he would "without a doubt" be open to sitting with Kennedy if given the opportunity. The Make America Healthy Again commission chaired by Kennedy has been "tasked with investigating and addressing the root causes of America's escalating health crisis, with an initial focus on childhood chronic diseases," the White House explained to Fox News Digital at the beginning of the second Trump administration. Doctor Mike said of the MAHA movement, "I think the movement has ignited a good conversation in that we're talking about health. So I like it for that." But the physician is skeptical of the movement's methods. Doctor Mike applauded the desire to limit the amount of ultra-processed foods consumed by children, but believes the problems with these foods go beyond the ingredient list. "The reason why ultra-processed food has been so harmful to us as a society is not because there's one specific chemical found in each of these foods. It's because the foods have been engineered in a way where they make you feel hungry very soon upon eating them, so they don't satiate you," he said. "Two, they're usually empty calories, meaning that there are not good micronutrients in them." He believes the overconsumption of these foods is partially responsible for the obesity epidemic facing America today, and therefore argues that the problem is with overconsumption rather than simply what is in these foods. "I want to be as useful and practical as possible," he said. "That's what family medicine does. We find practical solutions for complex problems with our patients. And focusing and nitpicking on specific chemicals won't get us there." A board-certified family medicine physician with 14 million YouTube subscribers, he makes videos focused on providing entertainment, information and answering questions on a variety of health-related topics. Doctor Mike immigrated to the United States from Russia with his family at the age of 6. Doctor Mike doesn't believe focusing on ingredients will result in "drastic changes." "These manufacturers are still trying to get kids to consume ultra-processed foods. That's their fiduciary responsibility. They want to make money for their shareholders. But what we have to do is shift that incentivization away and actually put laws on the books, guidelines on the book, where it's not just a handshake agreement and saying, please phase out these ingredients, but make sure what we're phasing out will actually help," he said. Doctor Mike uses his YouTube channel to provide health information to millions of his subscribers, but also believes government agencies need to take a role in education to help Americans make better dietary decisions. "We need to bring back education surrounding nutrition labels. And this needs to happen on a massive scale. Like I can do it on my social media all day long. But if the government agencies are now participating in this research, if it's not making its way to middle schools, junior high schools, high schools colleges, we're doing a disservice to our children," he said. Doctor Mike wrote a Fox News op-ed in May about his opinions of RFK Jr. and the direction of the HHS, stating "our nation's health system is in shambles, and the leadership of HHS plays a pivotal role in fixing this disaster." Doctor Mike alleges that Kennedy, known for his vaccine skepticism, shares medical "misinformation," and doesn't believe he is the right person to lead the department. "Today, I say that Kennedy is the wrong person to lead HHS. The integrity of our nation's health agencies demands leadership grounded in facts, research, and transparency — not misinformation," Doctor Mike said. However, he is open to talking with him. "I think no matter how much you disagree with someone, the first step is to find common ground," Doctor Mike said. "And if there's truly an appetite for wanting to make people healthier, wanting people to make better decisions for themselves, I'm all for it." The MAHA commission is focusing on four policy directives to reverse chronic disease, including providing Americans transparency on health data to "avoid conflicts of interest in all federally funded health research;" prioritizing "gold-standard research on why Americans are getting sick" in all federally-funded health research; working with farmers to ensure food is healthy, as well as affordable; and expanding health coverage and treatment options "for beneficial lifestyle changes and disease prevention." Reached for comment, an HHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "Targeting harmful additives isn't 'nitpicking,' it is a necessary first step in confronting a broken food system that's fueling America's chronic disease epidemic. As highlighted in the MAHA report, our nation's children are increasingly neglecting the whole foods essential for their health as the consumption of ultra-processed foods has surged. More than 1 in 5 U.S. children over age 6 are obese—a 270% increase since the 1970s. "Meaningful, systemic change requires more than general advice; it demands bold action and accountability. That is exactly what Secretary Kennedy is delivering."
Forbes
17-06-2025
- Health
- Forbes
5 Harmful Foods To Avoid For Better Health & Weight Loss
When people decide it's time to eat healthier to lose weight or manage a health condition, they ask the same question: What should I eat? Answers typically come in the form of which diet to follow: keto, paleo, plant-based, Mediterranean or something else. But here's a better question and one that may lead to bigger, longer-lasting change: What harmful foods should I not eat? We've lost sight of a deceptively simple truth. Most health improvements from dietary change don't come from adding so-called superfoods. They come from removing the foods that are actively hurting our health. There may be individual reasons to follow a specific diet — food sensitivities, religious or cultural preferences or a physician's guidance. But for most, focusing on what not to eat may be the most impactful and sustainable diet of all. The modern American diet is dominated by ultra-processed, calorie-dense nutrient-poor foods. More than 60% of the average American's calories come from ultra-processed products. Think packaged snacks, sugary drinks, frozen meals, fast food and refined carbohydrates. These foods are actively harmful to health. Study after study links diets high in ultra-processed foods to obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and early death. In one randomized trial, just two weeks on an ultra-processed diet led to significant weight gain and increases in hunger hormones — even when calories and macronutrients (e.g. proteins, carbohydrates and fats) were matched. Ultra-processed foods don't just make us sick, they're designed to override satiety signals, encouraging us to eat way more than we need. People often begin a diet by trying to add in healthier foods: a protein shake, oatmeal with blueberries or a salad at lunch. That's great — unless it's followed by a soda and a bag of chips later. Here's what works better: subtraction first. Cutting out refined sugar, white flour, ultra-processed snacks and heavily refined seed oils creates space for healthier choices to naturally take their place. People often report feeling better, craving less and even losing weight without counting calories. Just by cutting out the junk food. Think of it as nutritional minimalism: instead of obsessing over what to eat, ask what you can do without. This gives you flexibility. You can eat Mediterranean on Monday, Asian on Tuesday and plant-based on Wednesday. As long as the foods are whole and minimally processed, you're moving in the right direction. Yes, calories matter. But where they come from matters more. Two-hundred calories from salmon and broccoli is not the same as 200 calories from soda and cookies. The former fuels satiety, muscle repair and leads to stable blood sugar levels. The latter triggers glucose spikes, inflammation and rebound hunger. The real issue isn't just overeating — it's over-consuming 'bad' calories. When you remove the foods that spike insulin, disrupt hormones and hijack appetite regulation, you naturally eat fewer total calories because your body self-regulates more effectively. No matter the diet philosophy, there's surprising consensus among experts about what to avoid. Here are the top offenders: Removing these — even partially — can improve energy, sleep, mood and hunger. Unlike restrictive diets, this lets you eat in any style that works for you — as long as you're cutting out the worst offenders. Most diets fail not because people don't know what to eat, but because they're too complicated or rigid. A subtraction-first approach is simpler and more sustainable. You don't have to adopt a 'perfect' diet overnight. Start with a single rule: no sugary drinks. Or avoid any product with more than five ingredients. These changes add up —gradually shifting habits often without requiring calorie tracking, apps or special meal plans. This is also empowering. You're not relying on a meal delivery service or overpriced powders. You're simply removing low value and harmful foods. There's a hidden psychological advantage too. When you focus on what not to eat, you reduce decision fatigue. Saying 'I don't drink soda' or 'I don't eat fast food' provides a mental shortcut. These are called identity-based habits — and research shows they're more durable than external rules, according to Atomic Habits author James Clear. Yet taken to an extreme, this mindset can be problematic. It's not about cutting everything. It's about avoiding the foods most linked to fatigue, cravings and disease—not creating anxieties. Importantly, it's not about perfection. A diet that's 90% clean is dramatically better than one that's 50%. Even halving your (or your kids') intake of ultra-processed food can yield meaningful results. This 'cut the junk' strategy is increasingly backed by science. A 2024 BMJ study linked high ultra-processed food intake to higher risk of death from all causes. Yet many diet plans still push complex and unsustainable approaches: 'Eat these 12 superfoods" or 'Only eat high-fat, high-protein, low carbohydrate foods.' Sometimes the best advice is the simples: Eat real food; cut out the harmful foods; and let your body do the rest.
