MAHA focuses on SNAP, junk food school lunch restrictions
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins appeared on “Fox & Friends” to shed light on the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. During her segment, she discussed various new measures, including plans to limit ultra-processed foods in school lunches and establish purchasing limits for SNAP benefits.
Martha Stewart is contemplating her next dietary experiment: a three-day gluten-free reset. This idea was inspired by a guest on her podcast who claimed that temporarily eliminating gluten boosted her clarity, reduced bloating, and increased energy levels.
Jewelry designer Jennifer Fischer, who recently launched a wellness-oriented cookbook titled *Trust Your Gut*, shared her own experience on Stewart’s podcast. She reported feeling significantly better after a brief gluten-free period. “By the third day, my brain fog cleared,” Fischer shared, expressing that she felt lighter with reduced stomach bloating—essentially, she stated, as if she were “a different person.”
Stewart, who refers to her diet as consisting of “very clean food,” expressed her curiosity about trying a gluten-free approach herself. Although she admitted to consuming “maybe two slices” of bread weekly, she has been convinced to go gluten-free temporarily. “I’m going to cut out gluten,” she announced.
Health professionals note that the effects of gluten vary greatly from person to person. Dr. Meena Malhotra, a bariatric specialist from Illinois, explained that even individuals without celiac disease could experience adverse effects from gluten. Symptoms like bloating, fatigue, and mental fog can occur when someone surpasses their personal tolerance for gluten.
Dr. Malhotra went on to indicate that gluten sensitivity exists on a spectrum rather than as a clear-cut condition. While some may tolerate small amounts, excessive consumption can lead to discomfort. Interestingly, she stated that there isn’t robust scientific support for claims that a short break from gluten will significantly improve gut health for those who typically tolerate it well.
Sometimes, when people report feeling better after eliminating gluten, it could be due to other dietary shifts rather than gluten itself. Eliminating gluten usually means cutting out many ultra-processed foods, which, in turn, encourages a diet richer in whole, nutrient-dense foods.
If you’re contemplating a gluten break, Malhotra suggests considering a structured approach, ideally under a healthcare provider’s guidance, especially if you notice symptoms like bloating or fatigue after gluten ingestion. Meanwhile, she cautioned that gluten-free products aren’t automatically healthier; they often contain lower fiber and higher sugar levels and can exacerbate gut health if substituted for whole grains.
For Fischer, and perhaps for Stewart too, the straightforward nature of a quick gluten break is appealing. Fischer also emphasized the importance of avoiding packaged foods and scrutinizing labels. In line with this, Stewart mentioned that she barely uses processed or bottled products, opting for homemade seasonings, pickles, and dressings instead.
Stewart also mentioned her commitment to fresh ingredients. “I raise my own eggs, and I grow all my own vegetables,” she added, highlighting her long-standing preference for whole foods over processed items.
