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White House Officials Embrace 'Fermented Foods Diet,' Tout Health Benefits

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Several high-ranking U.S. officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., are reportedly following a "fermented foods diet."
  • The diet, promoted by Dr. Sean O'Mara, emphasizes consuming fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi alongside grass-fed beef, while avoiding alcohol and sugary items.
  • Officials claim significant weight loss and improved digestion, with the diet's principles aligning with recent U.S. dietary guidelines recommending fermented foods.

A growing number of high-ranking U.S. officials are reportedly embracing a "fermented foods diet," a trend that has gained traction within the White House. Among the notable adherents are Vice President J.D. Vance, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Commerce Secretary Howard Rutnik, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

(This diet) helped me lose 20 pounds in 30 days. Vice President Vance has also changed a lot.

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Health Secretary Kennedy Jr. shares his personal results from the fermented foods diet.

This dietary approach is attributed to Dr. Sean O'Mara, a former White House physician during the George W. Bush administration. Dr. O'Mara's advice includes consuming fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi, paired with grass-fed beef, while strictly limiting alcohol and high-sugar foods. Officials report significant benefits, with Kennedy Jr. claiming a 20-pound weight loss in 30 days and noting a visible change in Vice President Vance.

The diet advises consuming fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi along with grass-fed beef, and avoiding alcohol and sugary foods.

— Wall Street JournalThe newspaper describes the core components of the diet promoted by Dr. Sean O'Mara.

Kennedy Jr., 72, reportedly began the diet last year, followed by Rutnik, 64, and Duffy, 54. Vance, 41, joined earlier this year. Kennedy Jr. reportedly starts his day with steak and sauerkraut and carries sauerkraut with him. Rutnik, meanwhile, makes his own fermented vegetables at home, eschewing store-bought options. Vance incorporates sauerkraut with his lunch eggs and dinner meat, and even opts for a hamburger made with cheese and fermented vegetables instead of bread as a snack on his private jet.

The diet helps reduce visceral fat and promotes healthy gut microbes that aid digestion.

— Wall Street JournalThe newspaper explains the claimed health benefits of the fermented foods diet.

The diet's purported benefits include reducing visceral fat and promoting healthy gut bacteria that aid digestion. These principles align with the recently updated "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030," which, for the first time, officially recommended the consumption of fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, and miso, alongside high-fiber foods. This inclusion marks a significant shift, with "kimchi" appearing in official U.S. dietary guidance for the first time.

Consume fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and miso, and high-fiber foods.

— U.S. Dietary GuidelinesThe official recommendation from the U.S. government's dietary guidelines.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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