Rubio Rejects RFK Jr's 'Crazy' Diet: Experts Weigh In on Benefits and Risks

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been vocal about his controversial "living carnivore" diet, which consists mostly of red meat, organ meats and fermented vegetables. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently dismissed it as a "crazy diet," joking that he wouldn't "travel the world with a cooler full of sauerkraut." Kennedy's dietary guidelines include intermittent fasting and a food pyramid that prioritizes animal-based foods and protein.

Experts weighed in on both the potential benefits and risks of Kennedy's diet. Caroline Thomason Bunn, a registered dietitian, acknowledged that the emphasis on vegetables, fermented foods and adequate protein aligns with established nutrition advice. However, she warned that the diet's heavy focus on meat and exclusion of other food groups could lead to nutritional imbalances and long-term health issues.

Bethany Doerfler, another registered dietitian, supported limiting ultra-processed foods and increasing whole foods and produce, which are consistent with Kennedy's approach. She also noted that fermented foods can support gut health. However, she cautioned that the diet is missing several nutritious foods and could lead to deficiencies.

Roxana Ehsani, a registered dietitian nutritionist, agreed that the diet's exclusion of many nutritious foods is a major drawback. She stressed that eliminating entire food groups can increase the risk of vitamin, mineral and fiber deficiencies over time. Ehsani also dismissed the diet as a unique or superior approach to health.

Intermittent fasting, another component of Kennedy's regimen, received mixed responses from experts. Doerfler recommended a 12-hour overnight fast as the safest method, emphasizing that intermittent fasting is not inherently superior to other calorie-restrictive strategies. Thomason Bunn agreed that fasting can help establish structure for some individuals, but cautioned that it should not be viewed as a "metabolic magic tool."

She noted that the benefits of fasting are likely due to reduced calorie intake or more consistent eating patterns, rather than the fasting itself.