Posted on 01/21/2026 2:06:57 PM PST by nickcarraway
If progressives distrust Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vision of healthy eating, they should rethink giving the government control over grocery aisles.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recently released its long-awaited dietary guideline revisions for 2025–2030. The 10-page document has drawn both praise and fire from dietitians and public health experts.
While lauding the emphasis on eating real, whole foods, some experts argue that Kennedy's prioritization of dairy and meat does not reflect nutritional science. Progressives have claimed Kennedy's focus on red meat is creating a "funnel of performative masculinity" and a culture of "protein-maxxing." But those on the political left should also see a warning sign about one of their favored policy ideas: government-run grocery stores.
During his election campaign, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani mainstreamed the idea of government grocery stores as a potential solution to alleged "food deserts" and affordability problems in the Big Apple. Commentators and economists across the political spectrum were quick to condemn Mamdani's idea, citing past debacles and the lack of evidence that corporate grocery chains are hoarding excess profits and extorting customers.
Despite this, many progressives remain defiantly in favor of state-run stores. But the handwringing over the new HHS dietary guidelines revisions should provide a moment of pause.
What Americans should or should not eat has been a matter of controversy for decades. Perhaps most notably, the federal government in the 1980s urged Americans to eschew saturated fats in favor of carbs and low-fat (often highly processed) foods. Unsurprisingly, encouraging Americans to eat products like Kellogg's Frosted Flakes—with their zero grams of saturated fat—every day for breakfast merely accelerated the already skyrocketing obesity rate.
In other words, the government has not proven to be a very reliable nutritionist. But when it comes to government-run grocery stores, it would be the same government that determines what gets stocked in them. In some progressive circles, this is seen as a virtue—lauded as a way to ensure "dignity" over the food supply chain while focusing on "providing healthy food" for the citizenry.
But therein lies the rub. As the new dietary guidelines prove, what constitutes "healthy" is in the eye of the beholder, and it's unlikely Mamdani and Kennedy—not to mention President Donald Trump—would agree as to which direction their preferred food pyramid should be turned. Presumably, Kennedy's treasured beef tallow would not be prioritized in Mamdani's borough stores.
While partisans trust folks on their ideological team to make these calls, that doesn't mean the next mayor or HHS secretary will act in kind. These decisions inevitably become political, not only over what constitutes healthy eating, but also based on the current administration's political interests. Progressives are already alleging that the new guidelines were tainted by financial influence from the meat and dairy industry, a fight that would unavoidably become more virulent once it spilled over into the grocery aisle.
If more evidence is needed, one need look no further than government-run alcohol stores, which still exist in a handful of states. In these "control states," selection committees are in charge of which spirits get carried in the statewide system. Those that don't make the cut are locked out of liquor stores entirely within the state.
Progressives may dislike the new Kennedy-led dietary guidelines. But then why would they empower a future Kennedy-like official to decide what makes it into their local grocery store aisle?
“funnel of performative masculinity”
Just can’t take anyone seriously who says something like that.
“But those on the political left” abhor nutritious meat products, which contain complete protein, easily absorbable iron [rare in plants], B12 [not available from any plant food], and healthy necessary fats, instead strongly advocating that everyone [except them] eat ground bugs and pea protein powder, “foods” only a step better than Soylent Green [besides, Soylent Green is made from meat, namely people] ...
“funnel of performative masculinity”
“Just can’t take anyone seriously who says something like that.”
exactly ... besides, a statement like indicates the anti-meat proponents are focused on exclusively on politics and NOT nutrition science ...
I bought tallow two weeks ago for the first time.
If I served that plant protein to my cat, she wouldn’t recognize it as food.
Which makes her smarter than all of these experts. Throw in a nice mouse, and she might be interested though I don’t think she’s ever seen one.
Daisy for President!!!!!!
“Our Administration made a commitment to expand access to fresh food across the city, and Azalea Fresh Market is a significant milestone in ensuring healthy, whole neighborhoods,” Dickens, who also serves as Invest Atlanta Board Chair, said in a statement.
(Atlanta Mayor) Dickens called the store a “community hub that will serve neighborhood residents, support Georgia-grown products and promote healthier lifestyles as we continue to revitalize Downtown.”
Dr. Eloisa Klementich, CEO of Invest Atlanta, said the aim of the store is to also “stimulate local job growth and continue to invigorate the Downtown economy.”
“This initiative is another example of Atlanta leading the way in addressing food access and food insecurity with a new grocery store model that will foster sustainable community development and enrich the lives of local residents,” said Klementich.
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% GSU students, % Homeless, %downtown employees, %tourists would be interesting. College students are the most numerous in the area with hopes for increase in Soccer tourists in 2026.
Government run grocery stores will be POISON! Not fit to eat.
Progressives have claimed Kennedy’s focus on red meat is creating a “funnel of performative masculinity” and a culture of “protein-maxxing.”
Horrors!
One thing for sure, you won’t find bacon, pork butt or ribs at an Imam Mamdamni Superstore.
I’ll eat what a darn well please. This does NOT include insects or Blue Screen of Death faux butter.
I'm guessing that they will use Mike Obama's school lunch program's dietary guide as a template when stocking the shelves.
White lead and tallow was once good for standing rigging:)
You mean... like the one that popped up under Hiddin Biden some three years ago at least?
There are now "Protein" Pop Tarts.
You do not get that type of insanity in a year. It takes about 18 months to bring that kind of product to market.
Our Daisy Mae eschews mice, but our little ice queen Bonnie is an expert at catching them. As is common among cats, she eats the head and leaves the rest for us.
Democrats want you to eat stuff made in Blue States made by Union companies and or companies that support the Democrat racket. Start looking at all the stuff Walmart, Krogers and the like are pushing and you will see the stuff is made in most cities that are liberal in liberal States. Walmart tries to sell the Walmart brand by saying “Distributed by: Walmart Inc. Bentonville, AR” but my gut feeling its shipped from the same unionized factories in Blue Cities, in Blue States like Chicago or Battle Creek, MI. Alot of those those expensive cold cereals kids like because of the sugar in them are made in Battle Creek, MI if I remember right and I got the city name. Of course now they may not because my parents would take us kids on a tour of one of the Kellogg’s cereal plant and get free cereal and I think the other plant in the same city was Post company. But that was like 50 years or more ago, who knows what and where they might be made now days.
Very interesting article, thanks for posting. Never did buy the line about red meat being a carcinogen.
Democrats want you to eat stuff made in Blue States made by Union companies and or companies that support the Democrat racket.
People think of California as a super-urban state, but we actually produce 1/3 of America's vegetables and 2/3 of her fruits and nuts (not just talking about San Francisco either!). You probably don't need as many fruits and vegetables as the "experts" claim, just sayin'.
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