US Vice President JD Vance has once again used social media to showcase his affection for a specific brand of ice cream, this time directing a light-hearted jab at the nation's top health official. The target of his humour was the newly released US dietary guidelines.
Vance's Icy Critique of the New Food Pyramid
On Wednesday, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled the United States' updated dietary recommendations. The new guidelines, presented through a revised food pyramid graphic, encourage Americans to increase their intake of protein and full-fat dairy while cutting back on added sugars.
Vance, known for his active and often humorous social media presence, did not miss the opportunity to engage. He tagged Kennedy directly in a post, suggesting a crucial omission. "hey @SecKennedy this new food pyramid is solid but you forgot to include one dietary staple:" Vance wrote, accompanying his message with a picture of a tub of Graeter's Ice Cream.
A Long-Standing Love for Graeter's
This is not the first time Vance has publicly praised Graeter's, a Cincinnati-based company known for its unique French pot ice cream. He has previously discussed his fondness for the brand in detail on 'The Katie Miller Podcast'. Katie Miller is married to Stephen Miller, a senior advisor to former President Donald Trump.
Explaining what sets the ice cream apart, Vance noted its density. "If you hold a pint of Graeter’s in your hand and then you hold a pint of like Breyers at a grocery store, the Graeter's is literally, like, twice as heavy because it’s so calorie dense, so that’s one of the reasons why it tastes better," he said.
His dedication even extended to a proposed unusual flavour. When Graeter's and Skyline Chili announced a collaboration for a chili-flavoured ice cream, Vance reposted the news with a mock-serious tone: "President Trump and I will stop this."
What the New Dietary Guidelines Actually Say
The official guidelines, released on Wednesday, continue to emphasize the importance of fresh vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products. The new graphic features an inverted pyramid, placing protein, dairy, healthy fats, and fruits and vegetables at the broader top, with whole grains at the narrower bottom.
However, the recommendations take a firm new stance against processed foods. They explicitly urge consumers to avoid "packaged, prepared, ready-to-eat or other foods that are salty or sweet, such as chips, cookies and candy." This terminology targets ultra-processed foods, which are linked to chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity and currently constitute more than half of the average American's calorie intake.
While Vance's post was clearly in jest, it highlights the ongoing public and political discourse around nutrition, national dietary habits, and the balance between health recommendations and personal indulgence.
