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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has shared insights into his stringent diet, which is heavily focused on meat and fermented foods.
“I’m on a carnivore diet,” Kennedy disclosed during a recent appearance on USA TODAY’s “The Excerpt” podcast.
Kennedy adheres to this diet throughout the day, every day.
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“That may not be suitable for everyone, but I lost 40% of my visceral fat within a month,” he mentioned on the podcast, referring to the fat surrounding internal organs that is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he consumes a diet focused on meat and fermented foods. (Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Kennedy also reported an increase in mental clarity and stated that he shed 20 pounds in just 20 days after adopting the diet. He acknowledged that some positive outcomes might stem from the placebo effect.
The carnivore diet is defined by a regimen exclusively encompassing animal-based products like meat, dairy, and eggs, as highlighted by Fox News Digital in previous reports.
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The 72-year-old health secretary celebrated his birthday with a substantial steak and integrates fermented foods into his regimen, which are typically prepared through soaking, salting, or culturing to enable natural bacteria or yeast to break down sugars over time.
For instance, cabbage transforms into sauerkraut through salting and fermentation; milk becomes yogurt or kefir with the addition of active cultures; and soybeans are converted into miso via extended fermentation.
Experts assert that fermented foods may aid gut health, enhance immune function, and reduce inflammation by promoting beneficial gut bacteria. Some suggest that the fermentation process can produce compounds associated with improved mood, energy, and sleep.
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Kennedy is known for pairing steak with fermented vegetables for breakfast and even brings his own sauerkraut to restaurants—something his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, humorously noted during an interview with The Cut.
“I’ll have my little clutch, one of my good bags that I only take out every once in a while because I want to keep them nice, and he’ll hand me a bag of sauerkraut and say, ‘Can you put this in your bag?'” Hines shared with the publication.
The health secretary is recognized for carrying his own sauerkraut to restaurants, according to his wife, Cheryl Hines. (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
“People will say, ‘Ew, what’s that smell?'” she noted, to which she replies, “‘Don’t worry about it, it’s my husband’s dinner.'”
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Kennedy’s statements arise concurrently with the Trump administration’s updated federal dietary guidelines, which place greater emphasis on protein and whole foods while relaxing longstanding limits on saturated fats.
His personal dietary choices are notably more extreme than the revised guidelines he helped present, and experts caution that the carnivore diet, in particular, is very restrictive and requires further study.
The carnivore diet consists solely of animal-derived foods, including meat, dairy, and eggs. (iStock)
“We don’t have conclusive, evidence-based medical research to support the long-term health benefits of the carnivore diet,” remarked Dr. Mia Kazanjian, a certified radiologist in Connecticut, to Fox News Digital.
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“Eliminating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is hazardous because it deprives individuals of essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants,” Kazanjian added.
Fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi, while beneficial, lack the fiber of plant-based foods, so they cannot fully compensate for the nutrients provided by plants, she pointed out. Additionally, a diet focused on animal products may elevate LDL cholesterol, increasing the likelihood of heart disease and stroke.
Kennedy emphasizes that fermented foods are a staple of his daily meals alongside meat. (iStock)
Other potential risks associated with the carnivore diet include kidney stones, gout, and bone loss, according to health professionals.
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Kazanjian advised consulting a physician before embarking on any new dietary regimen, stating, “As a doctor focused on cancer prevention, I advocate for a Mediterranean diet, which is predominantly plant-based and includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, for optimal health and longevity.”
In the latter part of the interview, responding to a query about peptides and supplements, Kennedy conveyed, “I don’t want to be seen as a role model for what others should or shouldn’t do.”
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He also mentioned that “gold standard science,” rather than his personal views, guides the administration’s public policy.
Secretary Kennedy, left, and United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth competing in a push-up competition at the Department of Defense. (HHS)
Fox News Digital has reached out to the HHS Department for comments.
Additional reporting by Fox News Digital’s Melissa Rudy and Andrea Margolis.
