Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is launching a new online cooking series aimed at encouraging Americans to prepare healthier meals using whole foods and fewer ultra-processed ingredients.
The program, titled “The Real Food Show,” is part of Kennedy’s broader “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative and will premiere Thursday through the HHS website.
The first episode is scheduled to air at 2 p.m. ET and will focus on preparing affordable meals that align with the administration’s updated dietary recommendations.
Kennedy said the series will demonstrate how families can cook healthier food at home while keeping costs below $5 per serving when possible.
The show will feature Kennedy alongside celebrity chefs, including Andrew Gruel and Robert Irvine.
The first episode with Gruel will feature a recipe for crispy salmon cakes with an apple, white bean, and green salad.
The series is designed to translate the dietary recommendations promoted by HHS into practical meals for families, USA Today reported.
Kennedy has emphasized reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods and increasing the use of whole foods as a central part of his health agenda.
The updated dietary recommendations promoted by HHS emphasize higher protein intake while encouraging foods such as dairy, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Kennedy has said the approach is intended to address chronic disease rates in the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 40 percent of U.S. adults have obesity, while nearly one in five children have obesity.
Health officials have also continued to track the impact of diet-related chronic conditions across the country, according to NewsNation.
Kennedy said the program is intended to help Americans rebuild basic cooking skills while showing that homemade meals can be affordable.
He argued that many Americans have lost familiarity with cooking and described it as a skill that needs to be encouraged again.
The HHS secretary said cooking can serve a purpose beyond nutrition by helping families spend time together.
Kennedy described preparing meals and sharing food as a way to strengthen connections and address concerns about isolation.
Kennedy also discussed his own cooking habits, saying he prepares two simple meals a day but credits his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, with being the stronger cook in their household.
He said Hines typically handles cooking when family members or guests visit because of her interest and experience in cooking and baking.
The secretary said his own meals often include items such as eggs, bacon, cheeseburgers, hamburgers, steaks, and fish.
He also discussed his interest in fermented foods, including sauerkraut, kimchi, and yogurt, which are expected to appear in recipes featured on the program.
Kennedy said he previously carried his own sauerkraut to restaurants but stopped after receiving complaints, particularly from his wife, because of concerns about spills.
He said he now uses store-bought sauerkraut and described eating it alongside meat as part of his preferred approach to food.
The MAHA movement has attracted support from a bipartisan group of voters, including women often referred to as MAHA Moms.
The initiative focuses on reducing ultra-processed foods, environmental toxins, and what supporters describe as overmedicalization.
Kennedy’s cooking series is part of the administration’s effort to promote the updated food guidelines and encourage changes in American eating habits.
The program will be available online through HHS as the department continues its campaign focused on nutrition and chronic disease prevention.
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