Health official Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has launched a government-produced YouTube cooking channel, "The Real Food Show," which aims to feature family-friendly meals costing under $5.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) announced the initiative, stating it would assist Americans in "prepare healthy, affordable meals using everyday ingredients." The show is intended to illustrate the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, unveiled in January, by showcasing recipes that utilize "real food" and can be prepared in home kitchens.
The HSS described the new guidelines as a "historic reset" of U.S. nutrition policy, promoting the slogan "Eat Real Food." The department added that "The Real Food Show brings that message to life by demonstrating how nutritious, delicious meals can be made with whole-food ingredients, basic kitchen equipment, and family-friendly recipes that fit everyday budgets."
The inaugural episode featured chef Andrew Gruel preparing salmon cakes with an apple, white bean, and arugula salad. Gruel used frozen wild Alaskan salmon, noting that canned fish could reduce the cost per portion to between $2.50 and $3.
During the show, Kennedy made several health-related assertions. He claimed that previous dietary guidance was influenced by "food-industry lobbyists," that the government had been "lying" about saturated fat and protein for decades, and stated that 38 percent of American children are diabetic or prediabetic. He also asserted that the government had wrongly claimed protein caused heart attacks, stating, "There was no science that supported that."
Mainstream guidance from organizations like the American Heart Association does not attribute heart attacks to protein itself. However, it advises limiting saturated fat due to its impact on LDL cholesterol, particularly when consumed from sources like fatty meats, butter, and full-fat dairy. The association encourages protein intake from seafood, beans, nuts, and lean sources. The previous U.S. dietary guidelines were informed by reports from an independent panel of nutrition and public health experts.
According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 32.7% of American adolescents aged 12 to 17 are prediabetic.
Chef Gruel also commented on processed foods, calling them "chemically built to be addictive," and linked his past stomach issues to seed oils. He also claimed that Japan has "no metabolic disease."
Official statistics from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare indicate that metabolic syndrome affects around half of Japanese men and one-fifth of women aged 40 to 74. Metabolic syndrome is a condition associated with increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
The updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which Kennedy stated shifted the focus to whole foods and protein, were generally welcomed by nutrition experts. The guidelines place a stronger emphasis on whole, minimally processed foods and encourage higher protein intake at meals. They also de-emphasize discouragement of full-fat dairy compared to previous versions and include stricter recommendations on added sugars for children. However, core messages remain, including recommendations for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seafood, home cooking, and limiting saturated fat to less than 10% of daily calories.
Kennedy has previously spoken about his own dietary habits, including keeping roadkill in his freezer and consuming significant amounts of tuna, which he said led to mercury poisoning. He has also denied allegations of eating a dog.
The HSS committed to ensuring every recipe on "The Real Food Show" uses "real, whole-food ingredients, is kid-friendly and easy for families to prepare together and works in a basic home kitchen using everyday equipment." The department stated the recipes will cost less than $5 per serving whenever possible and align with the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The series aims to encourage Americans to rediscover home cooking through "trusted chefs, practical recipes, and science-based nutrition guidance."