#202: We Can't Save America with Protein: The New Dietary Guidelines, MAHA Misinformation, and Processed Foods With Anna Sweeney, RD
Abbie is joined by registered dietitian Anna Sweeney for a conversation that gently but firmly pushes back on the loudest nutrition narratives we’re seeing and hearing right now (carbs, sugar, protein hype, processed foods, “good fats” and everything in between).
Together, they unpack the potential harms of the newly released dietary guidelines, the moral panic around convenience foods, and the way “real food” nutrition messaging lands on disabled folks, people with eating disorders, parents, and anyone just trying to get fed.
Tune in for more on:
Anna’s lived experience with disability and how that impacts eating
Why convenience foods are not something to fear
What is inside the new dietary guidelines (and what’s left out)
How “clickable nutrition advice” is fueling misinformation
The violence of demonizing accessible foods
Why “real food” is a misleading (and loaded) concept
Protein recommendations, cultural bias, and who gets left out
Should we be avoiding sugar?
Carbohydrates as essential (and why the fear-mongering won’t stop)
How nutrition messaging creates shame instead of support
The missing role of pleasure in conversations about health
Why individual responsibility is overemphasized—and systems are ignored
Social determinants of health and nutrition conversations
Learning to trust your body in a culture that profits from distrust
About Anna:
Anna Sweeney (she/her) is a chronically ill and disabled relational nutrition therapist and registered dietitian. She has dedicated her career to counseling, supervising, and consulting in the field of eating disorders. Anna is the owner of a group nutrition therapy practice dedicated to anti-oppressive, fat-positive eating disorder care. Anna has spoken nationally at numerous conferences and media outlets, is globally recognized as a resource in her field, and regularly communicates on social media as @dietitiananna.
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Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy
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Podcast Editing by Brian Walters
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