Is food in the USA bad? Your healthy choices might not be that healthy.

The RFK endorsement of Donald Trump highlighted an issue that most people don’t think about on a daily basis. Is food in the USA bad? Does it fuel chronic disease? Are pesticides getting into our food? Are seed oils worse than other oils? What is processed food, and why does it matter? Registered dietitian Kelli Hanson provides a research-backed overview. 

Hanson discusses why most people are magnesium deficient, how to increase your intake of healthy foods, and why you don’t feel full after a meal—it’s not that you didn’t eat enough. She also explains why a meat-free diet can result in hormone or women’s fertility problems if you’re not careful. Maybe you should eat that nice juicy ribeye after all. 

Is food in the USA bad? Kelli Hanson, RD explains

In a recent episode of The Iowa Podcast, registered dietitian Kelli Hanson joined Justin Brady to explore the intricate connections between our diet and chronic diseases. The discussion delved into topics such as the potential dangers of seed oils, the significance of gut health, and the importance of consuming nutrient-dense foods.

Hanson began by addressing the growing concern over the U.S. food supply, noting that while it has become increasingly modified and processed over the past 50 years, the effects vary depending on the individual. “Our lifestyle is different from other countries too, which is a major impact,” she remarked, emphasizing that both diet and lifestyle choices play critical roles in health outcomes.

The Seed Oil Debate: Are We Eating Ourselves Sick?

One of the key topics discussed was the controversy surrounding seed oils, such as those derived from corn, soybeans, and sunflowers. Hanson explained that these oils contain polyunsaturated fats, which have been criticized for their potential to cause inflammation—a root cause of many chronic diseases. “Our intake of these oils has gone up, but we haven’t necessarily seen heart disease go away; we’ve seen diabetes get higher,” Hanson pointed out, highlighting the complex and possibly detrimental effects of these oils on public health.

She advised caution but avoided demonizing these oils entirely, suggesting instead that people focus on consuming more whole foods, which naturally leads to a reduction in seed oil intake. “Most of us grew up consuming a lot of these oils without really knowing what they were,” she said, urging listeners to be more aware of their food choices.

Gut Health and Allostatic Load: The Stress-Food Connection

Hanson also discussed the concept of allostatic load, which refers to the cumulative burden of chronic stress on the body, including stress from poor dietary choices. She explained that our bodies are constantly managing different stressors, including emotional stress, environmental toxins, and poor diet, all of which can lead to a range of health issues. “There’s definitely a rise in autoimmune conditions, which is very concerning because all of these different toxins and pesticides do influence our immune system,” she warned.

Gut health was another critical topic, with Hanson stressing the importance of a balanced diet rich in fiber and nutrients over reliance on supplements like probiotics. “The composition of our diet is much more impactful… Probiotics can be really helpful at times, but they are not a cure-all,” she noted.

Practical Advice: What Should We Be Eating?

Throughout the interview, Hanson emphasized the importance of consuming nutrient-dense foods, particularly those rich in protein, fat, and fiber. She highlighted the value of animal-based proteins, such as red meat, which she described as “some of the most nutrient-dense foods we have,” though she acknowledged that dietary needs can vary greatly from person to person.

In her closing remarks, Hanson recommended that most people consider taking a high-quality multivitamin to help offset the deficiencies in modern diets. She also encouraged listeners to be more mindful of their overall food choices, suggesting that small, consistent changes could lead to significant improvements in health.

For those looking to dive deeper into nutrition, Hanson recommended resources such as the Weston A. Price Foundation and the work of nutrition PhD Chris Masterjohn. To connect with Kelli Hanson or explore more of her insights, visit her website at kellikhanson.com or follow her on Instagram.

Other resources:

1. ^{U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. Usual Nutrient Intake from Food and Beverages, by Gender and Age, What We Eat in America, NHANES 2013-2016; 2019.}
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3. ^{Soliman GA. Dietary Cholesterol and the Lack of Evidence in Cardiovascular Disease. Nutrients. 2018 Jun 16;10(6):780. doi: 10.3390/nu10060780. PMID: 29914176; PMCID: PMC6024687.}
4. ^{Bevilacqua A, Campaniello D, Speranza B, Racioppo A, Sinigaglia M, Corbo MR. An Update on Prebiotics and on Their Health Effects. Foods. 2024 Jan 30;13(3):446. doi: 10.3390/foods13030446. PMID: 38338581; PMCID: PMC10855651.}
5. ^{Subramanian NK, White PJ, Broadley MR, Ramsay G. The three-dimensional distribution of minerals in potato tubers. Ann Bot. 2011 Apr;107(4):681-91. doi: 10.1093/aob/mcr009. Epub 2011 Feb 2. PMID: 21289026; PMCID: PMC3064541.}