12/17/24: "GLP-1 friendly" foods-Just Marketing Magic?; Spotlight: Tori Lawson-Boffelli (NDTR); Podcast: Maintenance Phase on Jamie Oliver; Immunologic on Seed Oil Sensationalism
Because EVERYBODY Eats
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❓”GLP-1 Friendly” & Marketing Magic
Conagra Launches Industry-First 'GLP-1 Friendly' Badge for Healthy Choice Products, Targets 15M Users | CAG Stock News (December 2024)
”Conagra Brands announced the introduction of an 'On Track' badge for 26 select Healthy Choice products starting January 2025, marking a first-in-industry initiative targeting GLP-1 medication users. The badge indicates products that are high in protein, low calorie, and fiber-rich, making them 'GLP-1 friendly'.
❓Is this just slapping a new label on an “old” product? Yep.“No product reformulation or improvements, only new labeling on existing products.”
Here’s a photo from Reddit of this same product from 2 years ago - note, SAME calorie amount…
The nutrition info provided by Healthy Choice on 9/20/23 - over a year before they announced the “GLP-friendly” (On Track) label…same calories (180) AND protein (13g).
💁🏽♀️So, this isn’t product reformulation or creation…just creative marketing.
⚠Words of Warning
When you become a dietitian, you will sometimes be approached by businesses (like multi-level marketing companies, food, beverage or supplement brands) to speak at events on their behalf, to share their affiliate links or represent them in paid partnerships.
This is because your RD/RDN credential gives you credibility that many respect.
Just be sure you know who you're associating with:
-Are they ethical? Do you agree with their business strategy and marketing methods?
-Is this a food/beverage or product you are comfortable endorsing and having your name and reputation associated with?
-Is it something YOU would use?
-Do they #stand4science?
-Are their food/nutrition claims backed by science and evidence, and not just research that they paid for?
❗And the most important question, will associating with these businesses enhance or lessen your reputation?
💡Spotlight: Tori Lawson-Boffelli, NDTR (Food & Nutrition Services)
🔗Connect with Tori on LinkedIn HERE
Q#1: Where do you work and how long have you been there? “I work as a Program Analyst within Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) at USDA. I have been with CNP for a little over two years.”
Q#2: How many dietitians do you work with? “On my direct team, I work alongside 3 dietitians. However, there are many more employed with CNP and I am grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside them on special projects.”
Q#3: What do you like best about your job as an NDTR? “...I get to work in a capacity right alongside dietitians to ensure food insecure children have access to healthy meals. We work together to provide guidance on administering and monitoring federally funded CNP’s as well as finding creative solutions to increase participation and access.”
Q#4: Is there one part of your job that you really enjoy? “Aside from knowing millions of children benefit from these programs; I really enjoy seeing the creativity of sponsoring organizations regarding their menu development and how they serve their communities. Each community has their own identity and foods they enjoy. It’s fascinating and heartwarming to see how these organizations are bridging the gap to address food insecurity with these programs!”
🎧Podcast: Maintenance Phase on Jamie Oliver
Maintenance Phase takes a look at the rise and fall of British Chef, Jamie Oliver, including some of his more problematic initiatives.
📰Substack- Immunologic: Seed Oils are Not Causing Colon Cancer
Seed oils are NOT causing colorectal cancer. - by Dr. Andrea Love
“…In fact, the study didn’t look at any sort of dietary contributors in the context of colorectal cancer, seed oil, ultra processed foods, or otherwise….
Everything in this study is observational. It was not a clinical trial looking at changes in cancer as a result of dietary composition or intervention….”
Something important to remember:
“…The age-adjusted probability that someone under 50 will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer is 0.3%…media outlets leave out the fact that we are now screening more adults under 50, because:
In 2021, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPTF) changed the age for colonoscopy screening from 50 to 45.
In 2019, the FDA approval of the first non-invasive DNA-based test for colon cancer, Cologuard, was expanded to individuals 45-49.
So, in the last 5 years, we have shifted the pool of adults that would receive routine colorectal cancer screening down 5 years. Remember: rate is a function of both ability to detect and diagnose AND actual occurrence of the disease…”
👩🏽🎓Study Guide: Processed vs Ultra-Processed Foods
(Note: This a good overview by Karen Collins, MS, RDD, FAND, CDN with an opportunity to get 1.5 CPEU
Processed vs Ultra-Processed Foods: Overlooked Nuances Matter