Full Breakdown
Marco Rubio Dismisses RFK Jr.’s Meat-and-Sauerkraut Diet on Katie Miller Podcast
8/14/2026, 5:54:57 AM
Core Event
In an interview that aired on a Katie Miller podcast in August 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio ridiculed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s diet, describing it as “crazy” and “not sustainable.”
Background & Context
Kennedy Jr. has promoted a regimen that centers on grass-fed meat, fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut and kimchi, and intermittent fasting. The plan, developed by Dr. Sean O’Mara, is marketed as the “living carnivore diet” and is linked to Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement. High-profile officials—including Vice President J.D. Vance, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy—have publicly tried the diet. Kennedy told the *Wall Street Journal* that the regimen helped him lose 20 pounds in 30 days and eased an irregular heartbeat; Dr. O’Mara noted that personalized “optimization plans” start at $8,000, with direct consultations costing $18,000.
Official Statements & Responses
Rubio’s remarks on the podcast included a clear rejection of the diet’s practicality:
- He highlighted the need to transport “coolers of sauerkraut” while traveling.
She also pointed out his frequent consumption of Pop-Tarts and fast food.
Criticism & Opposition
Nutrition experts cited in coverage have raised concerns about the diet’s long-term health implications. Registered dietitian Bethany Doerfler noted that current dietary guidelines advise limiting saturated fat to no more than 10 % of daily calories, a target likely exceeded by a diet heavy in red and organ meats. Roxana Ehsani warned that eliminating entire food groups—fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and seafood—could lead to nutrient deficiencies. Caroline Thomason Bunn acknowledged the inclusion of fermented foods as beneficial for gut health but stopped short of endorsing the regimen as universally appropriate.
Data & Statistics
- Kennedy’s reported weight loss: 20 pounds in 30 days (statement from the *Wall Street Journal*).
- Cost of personalized diet plans: $8,000 for basic “optimization” and $18,000 for direct consultations (Dr. O’Mara).
- Diet components emphasized: grass-fed steak, sauerkraut, kimchi, and intermittent fasting windows.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He has to travel with coolers of sauerkraut,” — State Marco Rubio
- “No! This is a crazy diet. This is a diet that consists of eating sauerkraut and meat. Now you understand –– like this is not a sustainable thing,” — State Marco Rubio
- “I always… every now and then I’ll tell Bobby, ‘Bobby, before I met you, I thought you were crazy because that’s what people would say about you.’ I said, ‘Now, I believe half your stuff!'” — State Marco Rubio
- “He eats all the things you should not be eating. Like every single thing,” — Jeanette Rubio
What’s Next
No scheduled policy actions or official reviews of the MAHA initiative were announced during the interview. The discussion remains a public-relations moment rather than a legislative development.
