This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/upstream" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upstream</a>, The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
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The Make America Healthy Again movement has Americans taking second looks at everything from <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/whats-actually-hiding-in-your-healthy-grocery-store-food">ingredient lists</a> to pharmaceuticals, but the fastest way to get healthy is much closer to home: our own recipes. And it turns out that upgrading tonight’s dinner plan is much easier than finding the latest superfood or <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-ozempic-side-effect-thats-changing-americas-morning-coffee">protein concoction</a>. 
Here are the everyday ingredient swaps to make your regular rotation of favorites meet the MAHA mark.
Seed oil. By now, everyone has heard about the evils of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/seed-oils-the-hidden-toxins-in-vegetable-oil-making-us-sick-and-fat">seed oils</a> such as canola, soy, and “vegetable” oil: They’re potential <a href="https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/processed-oils-are-everywhere-destroying-causing-cancer-dementia">carcinogens</a>, hyper-processed, and as far from a real vegetable as possible. Fortunately, they’re easy to replace with another oil or fat. Shortening can be replaced with lard, butter, and — with a little troubleshooting — coconut oil, while liquid fats are easily replaced with olive oil or avocado oil. For the hardcore MAHA bakers, peanut butter, almond butter, or even applesauce are also easy one-to-one swaps for seed oil in baked goods, and though they will create a denser and less crispy finished good, your muffins, cookies, and pancakes will turn out extremely moist.
Deep frying. Speaking of seed oils, if you’re looking to ditch the extra oil calories altogether, then high-temperature roasting and air-frying are even better alternatives. For starters, there are no oil splatters and mess to clean up. Instead, it’s as simple as lightly spraying your French fries, chicken nuggets, or “fried” food of choice with a little avocado oil and roasting at 425 until cooked and crispy, flipping partway through. To cut out the oil completely, line a sheet pan with parchment paper or <a href="https://www.southernliving.com/parchment-paper-in-air-fryer-11942893">carefully line</a> your air fryer’s basket, being sure the paper’s edges do not reach up to the heating element. While roasting won’t have quite the same grease factor as conventionally fried, just think of how many more fries you can eat with the calories you’re saving — guilt free. 
White rice. With the advent of cauliflower rice, white rice has become a bit of a “bad” food, and while I’m not here to kick the grain when it’s down, it is an easy ingredient to replace with higher-fiber and higher-nutrient options. Brown rice is the obvious swap, and while it works perfectly in soups, rice bowls, and burritos, it’s not the only choice. There’s a whole world of other whole grains to explore: quinoa, barley, farro, and — technically not a grain, but still tasty — wild rice. If grains aren’t your carb of choice, then cubed and roasted potatoes are also an easy swap, with white and sweet varieties adding their own unique nutrients and flavors to stir fry, salads, bowls, and more. 
White flour. Like white rice, white flour is the more processed and lower-fiber version of its heftier sibling, whole grain flour. Whole wheat flour might ruin cupcakes or a fluffy white bread recipe, but in muffins, bagels, and sturdier breads, whole grain flours are a one-to-one swap for the classic “enriched wheat flour” many of us normally use. 
Sugar. While we’re trying to cut down on processed and high-sugar ingredients, white sugar is an obvious culprit in recipes from sauces to scones. For a move in the MAHA direction, swap out white sugar for a less processed cane sugar one-to-one in any recipe. Along the way, it’s also worth slowly reducing the amount of sugar in recipes since many taste just as good with a little less sweetener. For the committed MAHA cooks, honey and maple syrup are also natural alternatives to white sugar and may even have some <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-benefits-of-honey-how-to-incorporate-it-into-your-diet">health</a> <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10469071/">benefits</a>. 
Condiments. Even from-scratch recipes can call for ketchup, mayo, soy sauce, and other condiments. Whether it’s for a dressing, marinade, or side sauce, an otherwise healthy meal can be ruined by the corn syrup, seed oils, or MSG in our favorite condiments. Instead, reach for higher-quality options. Look for ketchup sweetened with sugar rather than corn syrup, avocado-oil mayo, and coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, or look for certified organic or non-GMO options. 
More veggies. While not a recipe swap, bulking out the vegetable portions is one of the easiest ways to up the MAHA profile of your favorite recipes. There are plenty of tips online to “hide” veggies in everything from mac and cheese to brownies, but unless a picky eater is your challenge, it’s much easier just to embrace the veg. If stir fry is on the menu, pile in the cabbage and carrots. If burgers are for dinner, stack up the lettuce and onions. Or if soup is in season, double the carrots, celery, onions, or peppers. Most recipes are just as tasty with an extra cup or two of veg, so long as you also add a little extra broth, seasoning, or sauce as needed. As a bonus, this healthy hack will also stretch the more expensive ingredients, like meat, in a dish.
Among the sea of health tips and advice, there is always the latest and greatest trend. We’ve gone from low-fat to low-carb and corn-syrup crazy to anti-mystery corn ingredients. But the best diet advice is surprisingly simple: Eat real food. And as straightforward as it sounds, it truly is the healthiest way to make over your favorite recipes — with real, nourishing ingredients. 
***
Jordan Jantz is the assistant editor at IW Features as well as a freelance writer, editor, and website designer.

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Want To Eat Like MAHA? Start By Ditching These Pantry Staples

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Health

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Upstream

A recent study suggests that ultra-processed foods could be responsible for declines in attention and cognitive function.
The <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260608040017.htm">study</a>, which was published in Alzheimer&#8217;s &amp; Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment &amp; Disease Monitoring last week, analyzed over 2,100 individuals and found that ultra-processed food consumption was linked to worse attention and mental processing. Ultra-processed foods <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10260459/">add</a> artificial ingredients such as high-fructose corn syrup, whey protein, flavor enhancers, and chemical-based preservatives. 
The study showed that even modest increases in ultra-processed foods, as much as the equivalent of one bag of chips daily, had negative cognitive effects. 
&#8220;For every 10 percent increase in ultra-processed food a person consumed, we saw a distinct and measurable drop in a person&#8217;s ability to focus,&#8221; the study states. &#8220;In clinical terms, this translated to consistently lower scores on standardized cognitive tests measuring visual attention and processing speed.&#8221;
The study was led by Dr. Barbara Cardoso from Monash University, one of the top 40 research universities worldwide, in partnership with researchers at the University of São Paulo and Deakin University.
Other studies from <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/cutting-back-on-ultra-processed-foods-linked-with-lower-dementia-risk">Harvard University</a>, the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39863327/">Framingham Heart Study</a>, and one from <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9857155/">Brazil</a> have shown that ultra-processed foods increase dementia and Alzheimer’s risk and overall cognitive decline. However, these studies analyzed people from general population cohorts, which include people with unhealthy diets. The new study from Monash University shows that even those with a healthy Mediterranean diet also suffer from the cognitive side effects of consuming ultra-processed foods.
&#8220;Food ultra-processing often destroys the natural structure of food and introduces potentially harmful substances like artificial additives or processing chemicals,&#8221; Dr. Cardoso said.
&#8220;These additives suggest the link between diet and cognitive function extends beyond just missing out on foods known as healthy, pointing to mechanisms linked to the degree of food processing itself,&#8221; she added.  

Ultra-processed foods make up large proportions of the diets of developed countries, consisting of the majority of the total dietary energy for the average person in America, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Most foods go through some sort of system of processing, whether that be for drying, crushing, freezing, bottling, refining, or pressing, and these processes are mostly benign as they do not add any extra sugars, oils, or fats, according to a study published in Public Health Nutrition, a Cambridge University Press journal. 
Ultra-processed foods, however, &#8220;are typically high-energy-dense products, high in sugar, unhealthy fats and salt, and low in dietary fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals,” the study adds. Ultra-processed foods often include fast food, soft drinks, salty snacks, frozen meals, and plant-based milks found in vegan products.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made the fight against ultra-processed foods a central part of his MAHA movement. In a &#8220;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHO-TrjKJtI">60 Minutes</a>&#8220; interview earlier this year, he called ultra-processed foods “poison” and stated they were the cause of America’s obesity. Kennedy has also instructed the HHS and the FDA to phase out artificial dyes, a major component in ultra-processed foods.

Bowl of Potato Chips on Brown Background

Some Of America’s Favorite Foods Could Be Accelerating Its Cognitive Decline

Fast food chain Chick-fil-A has launched its first non-chicken kids meal featuring one of customers’ favorite sides: macaroni and cheese.
The mac and cheese kids meal features a medium cup of macaroni and cheese, made with Chick-fil-A’s blend of Parmesan, Cheddar, and Romano cheeses.
The meal also includes a side, a drink, and a toy. The fast food chain — famous for chicken — first introduced macaroni and cheese as a been a side item for regular meals in 2019.
The new kids meal reflects customers’ requests for more flexible menu options for children who do not like chicken. A February Reddit thread was <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/ChickFilA/comments/1rfm5up/its_been_years_why_havent_they_added_a_mac_cheese/">filled</a> with users excited about the idea of a macaroni and cheese kids meal.
“This really seems like a no brainer [sic] to me,” one user said. “I didn’t eat meat as a kid and would have loved to have this option.”
The kids meal is now available at participating locations for $6.75.
“My kids absolutely love their Mac and Cheese and one of [them] won’t touch the nuggets,” another Reddit user said. “I’d love to see them add a Mac and Cheese kids meal.”
This is the first time Chick-fil-A has offered a non-chicken entree in a kids meal. Its other options include regular or grilled chicken nuggets and chicken strips.
Customers can choose from sides including applesauce, a fruit cup, and waffle fries. Drink options include apple juice, chocolate milk, regular milk, and orange juice.
The new meal is being debuted alongside several new kids meal toys as well, <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/fox-news-food-drink/chick-fil-a-launches-its-first-non-chicken-kids-meal-entree-mac-cheese-available-nationwide">according</a> to Fox Business. The toys include a Cow Case with foldable games, a Cow Kart cardboard racer, a keychain, and Hasbro Cow Games.
The kids meal was introduced as Chick-fil-A announced the return of seasonal summer menu items such as the pineapple dragonfruit lemonade, the honey pepper pimiento sandwich, and the peach milkshake.

Chick-fil-A Draws Conservative Criticism For Its Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Policy

The Latest Chick-fil-A Menu Move Has Nothing To Do With Chicken

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The meal delivery service HelloFresh made headlines last week for a vulgar ad it shared on social media in honor of Pride Month. Not to be outdone, its competitor company Blue Apron followed with an equally suggestive Instagram post.
“Official Statement: We know that for some, eating is a top priority this month. We respect that. And while eating out can be exciting, there’s something to be said for diving head first into a satisfying box at home. Happy Pride to everyone who appreciates a good box,” the company <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DZYLUusgQ1V/">wrote</a>. The caption added, “Happy Pride. Comment BOX and we’ll DM you how you can eat ours.”
This was, of course, a thinly veiled reference to oral sex. It was likely an appeal to lesbians and a response to the HelloFresh post, which alluded to anal sex for gay men. 
Commenters on the Blue Apron post were either delighted or disgusted, with no in-between.
“Just cancelled my subscription,” one of the top comments says. 
“Why does everything have to do with sex,” a second commenter asked. 
“This is…. f***ing weird,” a third reaction said.
The Daily Wire reached out to Blue Apron, seeking comment.
The controversial social post came just days after meal kit delivery company HelloFresh shared an equally sexually charged social media post.
“We know that eating isn’t always a top priority this month,” the company wrote. “We respect that. But for those of you who are … prepping … we have an extensive lineup of high-fiber recipes available. Happy Pride.”
The post is a reference to anal sex and preparation for sexual activity. The company further amplified the “joke” by using a suggestive promotional code from a commenter. “Use code BOTTOMSUP for a Pride Month discount,” the company wrote, as The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hellofresh-crosses-line-with-repulsive-pride-month-ad-its-sickening">reported</a>.
Major food companies have used sexual themes during Pride Month marketing in the past. In 2022, the Uber-owned food delivery service Postmates launched a “bottom-friendly” Pride campaign developed with an anal surgeon that promoted specific foods for those preparing to engage in anal sex. 
Despite the backlash, these companies continue to cater to a very small percentage of their customers and virtue signal their fealty to Pride, even as other <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/target-replaces-pride-collection-with-all-american-nuclear-family">major retailers like Target</a> move away from rainbow-drenched displays in June.

Blue Apron

HelloFresh Rival Saw Grotesque Pride Ad And Said, ‘Hold My Beer’

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This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/upstream" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upstream</a>, The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
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When I was growing up, family dinner was the expectation. We didn’t sit down for breakfast together during the week (I’m pretty sure with having three children, my parents only ate coffee for breakfast), but we all knew we would gather around the table together in the evening. Whether we were eating at our house or at my grandparents’ house, most of the time it was going to be at the dinner table. My grandparents still have the dinner table I was accustomed to eating at. It’s a staple in their home. 
Wherever we were, we would all talk, laugh, and joke. It was rare that dinner was a serious affair. We had stories to share. The kids weren’t there to be seen and not heard; we were part of the whole shebang. I felt included and comfortable. Family dinners are a bright spot in my memory when I think about childhood, adolescence, and even adulthood. I’m happy to say that as a mom, I’ve continued with this tradition. 
Roughly half of the population regularly eat dinner as a family. According to <a href="https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/26302-family-dinner-poll-survey">research</a> from 2019, 29% of American families sit down and eat dinner together every day — almost a third of families! Another 23% reported eating dinner together four to six times a week. Sixty-two percent of parents with kids under 18 indicated they would like to have family dinners more often.
We want to be connected with our family. But why? What is so important about family meals? 
Let’s start with the stories. Researcher Robyn Fivush says it beautifully: <a href="https://narrative4.com/2021/11/23/building-resilience-through-storytelling/">Stories sustain us</a>. She has conducted research examining how the act of storytelling affects families. She has found children who have strong intergenerational sharing of stories happening in their family show higher levels of self-esteem, social competence, autonomy, sense of meaning, and fewer behavioral problems, which include depression, aggression, and anger. She identifies the act of storytelling as the catalyst; it is more than knowing the facts of what has happened to generations of your family. It is the bond of sharing the story that leads to these positive outcomes. It’s sharing the experiences. She goes on to explain that families who shared stories in a <a href="https://news.emory.edu/stories/2020/04/esc_covid_19_family_stories/campus.html">coherent and emotionally open</a> way with their adolescents found that those kids coped better with life events.
Family meals also act as a protective net around our children. A <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4325878/">meta-analysis</a> (really big review of a lot of research studies) found that family meals are especially beneficial for children and adolescents. The data showed sitting down to eat with family led to increased levels of self-esteem and performance in school. The meals together were also linked to fewer mental health issues (disordered eating, symptoms of depression, substance abuse, and violent behavior). 
When kids eat dinner as a family, they are more likely to develop <a href="https://experts.umn.edu/en/publications/family-meals-during-adolescence-are-associated-with-higher-diet-q/">healthy eating habits</a>: ingesting more fruits and vegetables, engaging in social eating, finding it important to sit down and eat rather than eating on the run, and eating <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10728109/">less fried food and drinking less</a> soda. Please don’t feed your kids a kiddie alternative. When kids eat what their parents eat, they are <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1467-9566.12007?getft_integrator=sciencedirect_contenthosting&amp;src=getftr&amp;utm_source=sciencedirect_contenthosting">more likely</a> to have healthy diets overall. 
Want even more reasons to eat as a family? Doing so apparently increases <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cd.155">literacy</a>! By talking to our children at the dinner table, we expose them to more words that are considered “rare.” When we include children in the conversation, sometimes we have to explain things, and that’s how they learn. Family dinner is also a time for longer conversations. These involve more back-and-forth between family members and are excellent for learning. 
Family dinner is not only beneficial for children; there are benefits for adults too. Family meals lead to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195666312001080?via%3Dihub">increased</a> intake of healthy foods, decreased consumption of fast food, and decreased negative eating behaviors. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091743518301567?via%3Dihub">Data</a> show eating with your family is related to better mental health in parents. Having a lot of conversation or storytelling during dinner means we have to eat more <a href="https://thefamilydinnerproject.org/blog/benefits-family-dinner-adults/">slowly,</a> and this gives our brain a chance to register how full we feel, meaning its easier not to overeat. 
Now for the harsh part: The <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/mcn.12428">data</a> show that eating in front of the TV removes that protective net from eating together. The healthy food goes out the window. The emotional atmosphere of dinner takes a hit too. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5138085/">Researchers</a> observed people’s family meals and found that when eating in front of the TV, people&#8217;s level of enjoyment was significantly decreased. If your family doesn’t have a dinner table and only eats together on the couch, that’s fine; simply leave the TV off while you eat so your family is able to engage with each other. 
Family dinners are great, but the atmosphere around the meal matters. If everyone is stressed and yelling at each other, that’s not going to lead to positive outcomes. It’s up to the adults at the table to cultivate a warm and engaging environment so the family can feel connected to each other.
From my experience as a mother and a therapist, I can report that eating together leads to a feeling of connection, especially when storytelling is tied in. Ideally, our family is the place where we feel comfortable and secure. Dinner time becomes a time for sharing emotional experiences and receiving empathy, problem-solving, or feedback from the people who love you. I personally am hoping it is a time for creating positive memories. Our brains learn from our experiences, so if we continually experience a positive environment with our family, then we are able to link those positive emotions with the family unit. 
My own basic rules are: put away phones and tablets, turn off the TV, sit down together, try the food on your plate, and participate in conversation. And everyone helps with clean-up. 
Set a goal for eating together three to four times a week because <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2816155?guestAccessKey=37e5a876-ccd7-4733-86b8-7b2915cac990&amp;utm_source=silverchair&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=article_alert-jamapediatrics&amp;utm_term=mostread&amp;utm_content=olf-widget_03292024&amp;adv=003546731412#249573015">research</a> shows positive outcomes from this baseline. Happy dinners, y’all!
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Gabrielle Frook is a licensed clinical professional counselor who has worked with children, adolescents, and adults, delivering evidence-based treatment for PTSD, depression, and anxiety. She writes her own <a href="https://theclinicianstea.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Substack</a> and has been published in <a href="https://medium.com/@gemfrook" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Medium</a> publications.
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The Most Powerful Parenting Tool Doesn’t Cost A Penny

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Move over, refined sugar: there’s a popular new sweet treat in town, and it’s way healthier.
MAHA devotees and average folks just seeking out healthier alternatives are chomping down on an ancient snack that’s been enjoyed for thousands of years. The company Joolies California Superfruit noted that sales of dates in the United States were up 33% in 2025, per <a href="https://food52.com/story/28834-why-everyone-is-eating-dates-now">Food52</a>.
Native to the Middle East, dates are known for their rich, caramel-like flavor and high nutritional value. Based on these trends, that love for their natural sweetness is destined to continue. 
“It’s one of the oldest cultivated fruits,” Amanda Sains, vice president of marketing and founding team member at Joolies said. “It’s mentioned in the Quran, the Bible. It has this incredible history.”
Fox News reported that the market size for dates in America is projected to reach $1.6 billion by 2034.
Why the new obsession? It’s because of a general uptick in the use of natural, healthy sugars as Americans become more health-conscious and seek alternatives to processed foods and additives.
“While dates might be a newer trend for consumers, they&#8217;ve been the go-to ingredient among dietitians to sweeten smoothies and lower-sugar dessert foods for years,&#8221; registered dietitian Lisa Moskovitz told Fox News Digital.
&#8220;Not only are they super tasty and versatile, but they provide fiber, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients like magnesium and potassium,” she added.
Food52 reported that a big problem with selling dates in the past was the packaging and overall appearance, which could be a deterrent for some would-be customers. Companies have worked to upgrade packaging to make the sweet, chewy stone fruits more appealing. Also, dates are now being used in other foods, such as energy bars. It’s all working.
Another major reason for the newfound popularity is, predictably, TikTok. There are several trends circulating about how to cook tasty, healthy desserts with dates as the star ingredient.
“They’ve always been kind of misunderstood,” Sains told Food52. “They’re sweet, delicious, and so good for you, but they’ve been stuck in ugly packaging.”
The vice president also mentioned that dates are a lot more popular in other parts of the world. Now, the trend has hit the United States.
“When you travel to Morocco, Greece, the U.K., even Australia, you realize how much more normalized date consumption is,” Sains told the outlet. “You’ll see them at the checkout counter or in bowls at people’s homes. In the U.S., that just hasn’t been the case.”

Dates

America Has A New Favorite Snack, And It Goes Back Thousands Of Years

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News

Orange juice used to be a common breakfast staple in American households until it was demonized for its high sugar content. But did the health experts get this one wrong?
Like the low-fat craze of the 1990s, certain health trends make zero sense. But when it comes to orange juice, the final verdict isn’t so cut and dried. Freshly squeezed orange juice is full of antioxidants. And it’s perfect for pirates who want to avoid getting scurvy. One eight-ounce glass delivers a <a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/">full day’s worth</a> of vitamin C for an adult with only around 110 calories per serving.
As The Telegraph <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/diet/nutrition/how-healthy-is-glass-of-orange-juice/">reported</a>, a recent study published in the journal Advances in Nutrition confirmed that consuming 100 percent orange juice “significantly improves markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in adults.” With 90% water content, it’s also hydrating and, as frequent OJ drinkers agree, is quite delicious.
But orange juice is not a perfect, nutritious treat and should be consumed in moderation. All those warnings about high sugar are accurate. Like all fruit juices, OJ is very high in sugar and for that reason will spike blood sugar even though it’s a natural source of the sweet stuff. It’s also low in fiber, which is unfortunate because a higher fiber count would help with those blood sugar spikes and crashes. 
Freshly squeezed orange juice may seem like the best option, the outlet noted, but the health benefits are negligible compared to more readily available — and convenient — not-from-concentrate options found in the supermarket cold section. Also, while it would seem that the full pulp version contains more fiber, in truth, the difference is not enough to suffer through the floating chunks in your juice if that’s not your preference.
Meanwhile, anything that says “orange drink” instead of orange juice should almost always be avoided as it does not have the same benefits or nutritional value. Don’t even think about Sunny D unless you’re attending a 90s-themed party.
Per <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/08/05/orange-juice-sugar-healthy/">The Washington Post</a>, the FDA sets a minimum standard for the sugar content in order to call a drink “pasteurized orange juice,” which is what’s sold in grocery stores without added sugars. Anything below that threshold cannot be called that, so be sure to check the label.
The bottom line is that orange juice isn’t the villain we’ve made it out to be and can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation.

Orange Juice

The Breakfast Villain Might Actually Be Innocent

The bakery chain Crumbl, well-known for its array of oversized cookie options, is going viral for a newly introduced beverage option that has a whole lot of sugar in it.
There is a whole line of “dirty sodas” on the menu, which originated in Utah and have become popular thanks to social media. Dirty soda refers to drink concoctions made with carbonated soft drinks added to mix-ins such as creamer, flavor syrups, fruit juice, and other unique options. 
Now social media is coming down hard on Crumbl, saying the chain is promoting dangerously unhealthy menu options. The standard 32 ounce dirty soda creations contain between 300 to 700 calories and 50 to 150 grams of sugar, though specific numbers depend on the syrups, heavy cream, and base sodas for the order.
The menu option <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@joeywellness/video/7532263786175089976">getting the most attention</a> is called Crazy Cousins, which combines Red Bull, Mountain Dew, pineapple, strawberry puree, and coconut cream. Per Crumbl’s online nutrition facts, it has approximately 840 calories and 186 grams of sugar. That’s <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/be-sugar-smart/index.html#cdc_report_pub_study_section_4-recommendations">more than six times</a> the recommended daily sugar intake for an average adult (30 grams).
As one <a href="https://x.com/Breaking911/status/2061921296942866463">viral video</a> pointed out, it’s also the equivalent of drinking five cans of full sugar Coca-Cola or 19 Krispy Kreme donuts. 
The argument that quickly escalated on social media questioned whether or not the free market should have limits when it came to items made for human consumption — and whether it might be time for HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to step in and stop the madness.
“Here’s an idea … don’t buy it and move on with your life. Simple,” one X user <a href="https://x.com/padre2ninos/status/2061859511103558029">argued</a>.
“Nobody is forcing people to eat or drink their stuff. Should the government force us to eat or drink exactly what they want us to? It’s a slippery slope,” another commenter <a href="https://x.com/protege25ck/status/2061787126421692905">said</a>.
“&#8230; Stop b*tching about it. Ppl can do whatever they want with their money and health. That’s what capitalism is about. Options!” <a href="https://x.com/Leancarlosp/status/2061864881624629254">echoed</a> a third.
But there were others online saying it was irresponsible for options like Crazy Cousins to be on the menu.
“This crap doesn&#8217;t just affect your body; it negatively affects your mind, too. It&#8217;s absolutely crazy that we&#8217;re adapting to a reality where, every day, we talk about how many different ways big corporations are trying to kill us,” one X commenter <a href="https://x.com/MichaelsonWil11/status/2061746096682987817">wrote</a>. “And they do so out in the open, unchallenged.”
“Someone with an IQ of 75 or less really isn’t capable of making intentionally healthy decisions for themselves. That’s about 5 percent of the US population, although likely more given demographic differences,” another person <a href="https://x.com/CastingOutNines/status/2062250764265758755">argued</a>. “Why is it acceptable for a company to take advantage of and destroy the health of 17+ million people?”
“Surely there are regulations that limit the amount of sugar you can legally put in a drink?!” another said.

sugar drink

Crumbl’s Newest Sugar Bomb Ignites A Major Food Fight

President Donald Trump revoked a costly Biden-era regulation on Thursday, axing a green energy policy that banned an alleged &#8220;hyper-pollutant&#8221; for refrigeration systems, which led to higher grocery prices across the country. 
Trump’s move will allow businesses to make their own decisions on &#8220;the refrigeration systems that work best for them,&#8221; according to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. The president delivered the announcement at the White House alongside Zeldin and National Council Director Kevin Hassett. 
Trump <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2057491297137488141">ripped</a> the Biden administration for forcing &#8220;companies to adopt specific high-cost refrigerants, massively driving up the price of transporting and storing various goods.&#8221;
&#8220;Americans faced higher grocery prices and reduced access to critical medical supplies,&#8221; Trump added.
The Biden administration determined that hydrofluorocarbons, which are used for refrigeration and cooling, are more harmful to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. As a result, supermarkets and other businesses were only allowed to use the cooling mechanism in limited quantities, forcing them to turn to more expensive cooling methods and thus passing on higher costs to consumers. 
“Americans were right to be frustrated with the Biden-era refrigerant rules. They didn’t protect human health or the environment and instead piled on costly, unattainable restrictions beyond what the law requires,” said Zeldin. “Today, the Trump EPA is fulfilling President Trump’s promise to lower costs and is fixing every problem we can under the authority Congress gave us. Our actions allow businesses to choose the refrigeration systems that work best for them, saving them billions of dollars. This will be felt directly by American families in lower grocery prices.” 
A White House official told The Daily Wire the rollback on the alleged “hyper-pollutant,” paired with a revision to the 2024 Emissions Reduction and Reclamation rule, “are estimated to save American families and businesses more than 2.4 billion” dollars a year. The White House official added that the savings are “expected to flow directly to consumers through lower grocery prices, cheaper transportation of refrigerated goods, and more affordable home air conditioning.”
The Biden administration claimed the restrictive regulation would lead to green technological innovation, <a href="https://www.epa.gov/climate-hfcs-reduction/technology-transitions">stating</a>, &#8220;Facilitating the transition to next-generation technologies through sector-based restrictions on HFCs is one way that EPA and stakeholders are working together to meet ambitious climate protection goals.” 
The rule <a href="https://apnews.com/article/hfc-refrigerant-chemical-air-conditioners-epa-ac01324c05ba5bf5f54bc794c1054296">mandated</a> a 40% reduction in hydrofluorocarbon use, with an 85% reduction scheduled by 2036, leading to higher costs for grocery stores that were left with no choice but to overhaul their refrigeration systems.
Trump&#8217;s move to roll back Biden&#8217;s green regulation is his latest strategy to address Americans&#8217; economic concerns amid rising energy and food prices in recent months. In April&#8217;s inflation report, grocery prices <a href="https://thehill.com/business/personal-finance/5888142-groceries-just-had-the-biggest-price-hike-in-years-its-about-to-get-even-worse-experts-warn/">rose</a> 2.9% year-over-year, the highest rate since 2023. 
Earlier this week, the administration temporarily paused the Jones Act, which would increase the supply of ships able to transport cargo between American ports. The Administration has also urged the Department of the Interior to explore additional energy production on Federal lands and waters, remove all regulatory requirements related to energy that are not grounded in applicable law, eliminate the electric vehicle mandate, and <a href="https://www.energy.gov/articles/us-department-energy-reverses-biden-lng-pause-restores-trump-energy-dominance-agenda">reverse</a> Biden’s liquified natural gas export ban.

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Trump Axes Biden-Era Green Energy Rule That Raised Grocery Prices

Biden Administration

Donald Trump

federal regulation

grocery prices

Illinois Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker stuck his foot in his mouth once again (somehow finding room) when he attacked President Donald Trump on Tuesday and was roundly mocked for doing so.
Trump addressed the situation in Chicago on Tuesday morning when he was asked by a reporter, “Mr. President, have you planned any thought into potentially endorsing someone to run against J.B. Pritzker, like Darren Bailey?”
“Well, I like Darren Bailey. J.B. Pritzker is a slob of a governor,” Trump replied. “You know, he could call me and I&#8217;d send the National Guard and Chicago would have no crime. Look at Washington, D.C. Did you see the crime stats? It&#8217;s down to like nothing. People go to restaurants now, new restaurants. &#8230; We have a beautiful city. We have very little crime, almost no crime. And we could have the same thing in Chicago. All he&#8217;d have to do is say, &#8216;President, I don&#8217;t want to have any crime in Chicago.&#8217; Can you help me out?’ Three months. Chicago would be a different place.”
Pritzker shot back on X, writing, &#8220;Keep Chicago out of your mouth.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Keep Chicago out of your mouth. <a href="https://t.co/thxBAzP0E6">https://t.co/thxBAzP0E6</a>
&mdash; JB Pritzker (@JBPritzker) <a href="https://twitter.com/JBPritzker/status/2056840629787779123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That elicited numerous online jokes, as Pritzker — who recently took off significant weight — had previously gained fame as the real-life version of Jabba the Hutt or Baron Harkonnen.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Try keeping literally anything out of your mouth <a href="https://t.co/tVqrFeoOoh">https://t.co/tVqrFeoOoh</a>
&mdash; Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) <a href="https://twitter.com/mkhammer/status/2056877684139970679?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Keep fried foods out of yours.
It would be one thing if your policy agenda was even remotely likely to control crime in your state’s largest city, but you’ve made clear that you’re perfectly willing to subordinate the security of Chitown’s South and West Side residents to your…
&mdash; Rafael A. Mangual (@Rafa_Mangual) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rafa_Mangual/status/2056900073389191625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Quiet, piggy.
&mdash; Chris Loesch 𝕏 (@ChrisLoesch) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisLoesch/status/2056906897014321315?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Last October, President Trump deployed 300 Illinois National Guard troops, prompting Pritzker to hyperventilate over “Trump’s Invasion.”
“We must now start calling this what it is: Trump’s Invasion,” Pritzker stated, according to the <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/05/president-trump-calling-up-300-illinois-national-guard-immediately-to-protect-ice-buildings-for-60-days/?lctg=B4845491D5F64499A4E4B513EB&amp;utm_email=B4845491D5F64499A4E4B513EB&amp;utm_source=listrak&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.chicagotribune.com%2f2025%2f10%2f05%2fpresident-trump-calling-up-300-illinois-national-guard-immediately-to-protect-ice-buildings-for-60-days%2f&amp;utm_campaign=trib-chicago_tribune-breaking_news-nl&amp;utm_content=alert">Chicago Tribune</a>, which reported that War Secretary Pete Hegseth sent a memo instructing Illinois National Guard leadership to deploy the troops to the Chicago region for at least 60 days.
“It started with federal agents, it will soon include deploying federalized members of the Illinois National Guard against our wishes, and it will now involve sending in another state’s military troops,” Pritzker declared.
The White House said the National Guard troops would protect federal personnel and property — like ICE facilities — where violent demonstrations are either happening or expected. The memo called for protecting federal law enforcement officials who are “performing federal functions.”
The war between Trump and Pritzker has been going on for some time; in June 2024, while Trump was campaigning for the presidency, Trump targeted Pritzker, <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/112626680945709862">writing</a> on Truth Social:
<blockquote>
Sloppy J.B. Pritzker, the Rotund Governor from the once great State of Illinois, who makes Chris Christie look like a male model, and whose family wanted him out of the business because he was so pathetic at helping them run it, has presided over the destruction and disintegration of Illinois at levels never seen before in any State. Crime is rampant and people are, sadly, fleeing Illinois. Unless a change is made at the Governor&#8217;s level, Illinois can never be Great Again.
</blockquote>

US-POLITICS-CRIME-TROOPS-CHICAGO

Democrat Tries Telling Trump What He Can Say And Can’t Say

Chicago

Illinois

J.B. Pritzker

This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/introducing-upstream-a-lifestyle-and-culture-section-of-the-daily-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upstream,</a> The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
***
“Can I read the ingredients list?”
That simple question is one I’ve awkwardly asked almost since I knew how to read. As a child, I grew up with an unfortunate host of food sensitivities that meant understanding labels had to become second nature as I navigated elementary school snacks and sleepovers. This was long before the days of shelf-scanning apps, label-busting influencers, and the MAHA powerhouse. Instead, all I had was a food-savvy mom, a memorized list of no-go ingredients, and my reading skills.
If a seven-year-old can stare unflinchingly at the unpronounceable words on back-of-packaging labels, any adult can navigate the grocery store with confidence. A bit of knowledge and patience is all it takes to judge a label faster than any app or ChatGPT can ask. Here’s how.
To start at the top of the label, it’s always worth glancing at the serving size information to see how much (or little) is one “serving.” A pint of ice cream may be two (or one) servings to some, but the label may disagree and demand four tiny portions. For those of us counting calories or cutting down on sodium, these serving sizes matter, but for those of us just concerned about ingredients, it’s just another handy data point.
Similarly, unless you’re counting macros, it’s safe to ignore the table of grams and daily percentages of protein and vitamins. The <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-101/subpart-A/section-101.9">requirements</a> around which vitamins need to be reported are convoluted, and the percentages are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Depending on your height, age, sex, and activity level, that may not be your actual caloric needs. Plus, many nutrient numbers are boosted by the addition of synthetic vitamins, particularly in boxed cereals or white bread.
Past the white box of numbers is where most of the key information hides. A quick skim of the “contains” or “may contain” list below the ingredients can reveal any major allergens, and most foods will proudly advertise if they are gluten- or dairy-free. However, the full ingredients list is where the dirty secrets of food manufacturing are buried.
Even seemingly simple products can have a surprisingly long list of preservatives, fillers, and mystery components. By now, most of us have heard that long ingredient lists are a red flag, and we know that if we can’t pronounce an ingredient, it’s probably worth avoiding. However, even the pronounceable ingredients can have some spooky secrets.
“Artificial flavors” is a natural bogeyman, with a host of lab-made combinations encompassed under such a vague term. But “<a href="https://thepaleodiet.com/what-do-natural-flavors-really-mean/">natural flavors</a>” and variations like “natural vanilla flavor” or “natural raspberry flavor” can be just as opaque when it comes to information on the actual contents or origin of the flavoring agent. And as the University of Wisconsin <a href="https://nutrisci.wisc.edu/2021/07/26/natural-and-artificial-flavors/">explains</a>, “the science of flavoring is so advanced that many artificial flavors actually have the exact same chemical structure as the naturally occurring ones.”
Food dyes like Red 40 or Yellow 5 have gotten ample press for their <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23026007/">link to cancer</a>, and many of them are banned or require warning labels in <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a63606676/food-dye-additives-united-states-vs-europe/">other countries</a>. Derived from petroleum (like gasoline), they have also been <a href="https://publichealth.berkeley.edu/articles/spotlight/research/new-report-shows-artificial-food-coloring-causes-hyperactivity-in-some-kids">linked</a> to hyperactivity in children. Yet, even some natural dyes can have disturbing origins. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/carmine">Carmine</a> is all-natural and has been used for hundreds of years to produce beautiful shades of crimson and pink in everything from fabrics to cosmetics. Today, you can find it in red-colored foods like <a href="https://www.yoplait.com/products/original-single-serve-strawberry">strawberry yogurt</a>. Its source? The dried bodies of cochineal insects.
In short, skip the unidentifiable and unknown ingredients. We don’t have to know the name of every strange component to know what doesn’t sound edible.
Beyond the names of food (and food-like substances) on the nutrition panel, the qualifiers that come with some ingredients are worth a second glance. For example, flour is rarely listed as a single-word ingredient. Instead, it’s typically paired with “enriched wheat” or “whole wheat.” Words like “whole,” “organic,” and “brown” signal a less processed component, while “white,” “enriched,” and any unfamiliar terms usually equal a food that Mother Nature wouldn’t recognize.
Certainly, it’s an exercise in patience to pay attention to each word on the label, but food companies have ample incentive to keep their recipes a trade secret while conversely highlighting any high-quality inclusions. Each word can provide important information into what’s hidden or where the brand is stepping up their MAHA game. Even the parentheticals that give sub-ingredients of chocolate chips, spices, or “contains 2% or less of” can have a surprising number of strange substances.
Finally, at the very end of the ingredients, manufacturers are <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/how-gmos-are-regulated-united-states">required</a> to reveal if their product contains genetically modified organisms or bioengineered foods. Soy and seed oils are often the source of GMOs, and shopping certified non-GMO or organic will cut out the lab-made foods.
Once you’ve gone through the full list, take a closer look at the order of the ingredients. Each item is written in descending order of quantity, so if the first food is sugar, you’re in for a roller-coaster and crash after you indulge. As a bonus, this is also a handy way to know whether your purchase will be only a little spicy, very salty, or pack a punch of sour.
It’s a slog to get through the text wall of hyper-processed mystery ingredients at first. But soon, key terms will start jumping out, and a skim will reveal just how honest the front-of-box advertising is. And in the end, checking labels is not about making perfect choices. It’s about choosing to be a more informed consumer. For food manufacturers to offer healthier options, we need to demand better options. That starts by voting with our wallets — and giving each label a leery look. 
***
Jordan Jantz is the assistant editor at IW Features as well as a freelance writer, editor, and website designer.

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What’s Actually Hiding In Your ‘Healthy’ Grocery Store Food

This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/upstream">Upstream</a>, The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
***
There are few annoyances worse than when a nice young man flips around a tiny virtual tablet that reads &#8220;add tip&#8221; after he did all the work of rotating his body 75 degrees to grab you an $18 beer from a fridge.
It&#8217;s true: Tipping culture has gotten out of hand in the United States. I try to tip generously because I used to work as a delivery driver. I know the struggle of trying to scrape together some cash at the mercy of strangers who are tasked with making up the difference between the cost of living and your poverty base wage.
That only applies to actual services, though: waiting, bartending, delivery, etc. There are plenty of cases (such as the stadium beer kiosk) where the expectation of tipping is wrongly bleeding Americans dry.
And don&#8217;t get me started on communal tipping. I can&#8217;t think of anything more demoralizing than getting a fat tip due to your excellent service, only to be forced to pool it with the rest of your coworkers who didn&#8217;t do a thing to earn it.
My disdain for this excess of American culture changed, though, when I recently took a trip to Ireland.
In Ireland, like much of Europe, they don&#8217;t do tipping the way we do. You can tack on 5 to 10% for your waiter or bartender if the service is particularly good, but it&#8217;s not expected. And a service charge is often already included. You don&#8217;t get sideways looks for just paying the tab and leaving like you would stateside.
My initial reaction to this was relief. Finally, some simplicity in this life. The meals may be a bit more expensive because the labor cost is factored into price, but simply being able to pay and go without doing extra math and giving a performance review at the end of the meal would be nice.
Things began to change with each passing day. When we had our first sit-down dinner of the trip, I couldn&#8217;t help but notice how inattentive the waitstaff was. No refills of water. Twenty minutes passing by between being seated and having our order taken. Want to get some extra condiments on the side after the food arrives? Good luck.
I thought it may be an anomaly, but then the same experience kept repeating itself every single time we had dinner during the trip. I will say this didn&#8217;t extend to bartending service — I&#8217;m talking strictly about sit-down meals here — but without a single exception, the service was just dreadful, inattentive, and slow.
It was the type of experience that makes one pause and reflect on the bigger picture. I&#8217;m not saying that Europe&#8217;s poor table service is a direct consequence of a culture that stifles innovation and snuffs out the ambition of the individual for the good of the collective, but it is striking that we don&#8217;t have this issue in hyper-capitalist America.
Now, you may be thinking this was my fault somehow. Maybe my Americanness was an affront to the waitstaff&#8217;s European sensibilities. I don&#8217;t think so. I wasn&#8217;t acting visibly foreign, and the staff were very polite and personable in every interaction. I gathered no sense of disdain whatsoever — only indifference.
My only conclusion can be that these workers did not put an American-level effort in because they didn&#8217;t have to. There was no incentive to give me good service, so they didn&#8217;t. The system failed.
The experience has certainly changed my perspective on tipping culture. Yes, it remains excessive in certain American contexts. But there&#8217;s a wisdom to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._K._Chesterton#Chesterton's_fence">Chesterton&#8217;s fence</a>: If something has been around a while, it just might serve a purpose you&#8217;ll miss when it&#8217;s gone.

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