1/28/25 - Benefits of Fast-Food; Non-UPF Labels: Another 'Pay for Play' Label Scam; UPFs vs Non-UPFs Crossover Study; Submit Comments on Alcohol in DGA's

Because EVERYBODY EATS

😜This is really happening…of course it may more likely be lard, tallow or coconut oil.

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🍟🍔Article: The Benefits of Fast-Food

We often see a lot of negativities negatives about fast-food and ultra-processed foods (UPFs), but here’s a situation that many dietitians may be familiar with, i.e. when just finding something a patient will eat is the most important thing.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

My Dad Has A Serious Illness. He Started Eating McDonald's And I Couldn't Believe What Happened Next

“…I’d never say that fast food is the cure for all — or most — of life’s problems, or even that it makes a great choice for a meal. Few medical professionals would prescribe a bag of grease and salt as a solution to anything. But watching the joy those McNuggets and fries brought my dad — not to mention the weight they’ve helped him gain and maintain — made me rethink what I consider absolutes in my own life….”

🤑Another "‘Pay for Play’ Label Program

Brought to you by the same folks who’ve made millions on the “Non-GMO Project” label/butterfly🦋 (their revenue in 2023 was $6.85M) by charging brands tens of thousands of dollars so they can sport the “Non-GMO”🦋 butterfly ….brands then can pass along costs to consumers...so we pay more. Fun fact, even in their own FAQ section, the Non-GMO Project folks admit that their label DOESN’T mean ‘gmo-free’: “GMO Free” and similar claims are not legally or scientifically defensible…the Non-GMO Project Verified seal is not a “GMO free” claim…”

So, now apparently, we’ll have a “Non-UPF Verified” (non-ultra-processed foods) label. That will create more fearmongering about foods. The NonUPF Verified folks will charge brands to sport the label, and customers will end up paying more for items…fun times…fun times. 🙄

👩🏼‍🔬UPFs vs Non-UPFs (Crossover study)

Conclusion: “Consumption of UPFs causes significant weight gain. Medical nutritional therapy focused on reducing the consumption of UPFs could be an effective strategy for preventing obesity.”

🙋‍♂️7 days - 9 people - that’s how long this study was and how many people were studied.

“There were some limitations to this study. First, it remains unclear whether similar results would also be obtained in women, elderly or non-obese individuals, as only young overweight/obese male participants were included in the current study. Second, the intervention period was only 1 week, and the long-term consequences of consistent UPF consumption could not be elucidated. Finally, our study was limited by the small sample size. Future research using larger sample sizes will be necessary to confirm and extrapolate these findings.”

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🤔Article: Is it Tallow or Lard?

Tallow has become the new ingredient of choice. You can find it in food (tallow fries anyone?), candles and even makeup and moisturizers.

Photo by Cheyenne Doig on Unsplash

TikTok’s Beef Tallow Skincare Trend Uses Lard, Not Tallow

“…The bottom line is that people are literally smearing rancid meat grease on their faces, and other people are making thousands of dollars selling scented jars of beef lard that will become nasty in a few weeks…”

🍷🍻Comment: Alcoholic Beverages & Health

Public Comment Period to Collect Input on Two Alcohol Reports that Will Inform the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-203030-Day

Comment Period Opened on January 15th

“The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) invite the public to submit written comments to the Departments on two reports on alcoholic beverages and health….The findings from both reports, along with public comments and federal agency input, will be considered by HHS and USDA as the Departments develop guidance on alcoholic beverages in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030.”

Submit your comments about alcohol and the DGA’s HERE

Thanks so much for reading the Grocery Cart🛒 Newsletter… Always happy to get your feedback/comments!