Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has launched "The Real Food Show," a government-backed cooking series intended to demonstrate that healthy eating can be affordable and accessible for all Americans. The program, promoted on the Health and Human Services website, emphasizes simple cooking techniques and aims to provide meals costing less than $5 per serving, aligning with the "Make America Healthy Again" initiative and the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Kennedy, a vocal proponent of wellness, stated that the perception of healthy food being more expensive than ultra-processed options is untrue. "Fast food is not less expensive," he told USA Today, asserting that home-cooked meals are both cheaper and healthier. He expressed concern that cooking skills are becoming a "lost art" for many Americans.
The premiere episode features Chef Andrew Gruel preparing crispy wild Alaskan salmon cakes with an apple, white bean, and greens salad, utilizing "simple, everyday ingredients that fit almost any budget." Gruel, a proponent of increased seafood consumption, highlighted the health benefits of the dish.
Nutrition experts offered a mixed response to the show's premise and premiere recipe. Tiffany Bruno, a registered dietitian who has consulted on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, praised the nutritional balance of the featured recipe, noting the inclusion of plant-based protein from beans and its fiber content. She suggested that the salad portion alone could serve as a meal for busy individuals.
However, other dietitians expressed skepticism regarding the affordability claims. Juliana Vocca, a registered dietitian and owner of Prime Women Nutrition, questioned whether Kennedy's recipes are universally affordable, particularly for families facing food insecurity. "He claims to make salmon cakes for about $5 per serving, not per recipe," Vocca noted. "And although using frozen or canned salmon, it still is not universally affordable." She also pointed out that the cost calculation might not account for the expense of purchasing multiple ingredients for a single dish.
Maryann Walsh, a registered dietitian and president of Walsh Nutrition Consulting, acknowledged the health benefits of the recipe, including the omega-3s from salmon and fiber from beans and greens. She also appreciated the use of olive oil over seed oils. However, Walsh raised concerns about the portion size potentially being insufficient for individuals with higher caloric needs and questioned the accuracy of the $8.99 cost cited for salmon for four people, suggesting that fresh or frozen wild sockeye salmon often costs significantly more, though canned salmon would be a cheaper alternative.
"The Real Food Show" premiered on July 30 and is available on YouTube and the HHS website. The series is inspired by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which, unveiled in January, emphasize whole, minimally processed foods, including protein, full-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The initiative seeks to counter the prevalence of ultra-processed foods in American diets.