Trump cabinet’s – A number of prominent figures in President Donald Trump’s cabinet, including Vice President JD Vance, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, have been eating sauerkraut and other fermented foods as part of a gut-focused diet
In the White House summer, sauerkraut is no longer just a diner staple—it’s showing up on the plate of top officials in President Donald Trump’s orbit.
The shift has been visible among several prominent members of the cabinet. including Vice President JD Vance. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. who have been “loading up on the fermented food” in an effort to slim down and improve gut health. the Wall Street Journal reported.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has gone further with a specific personal outcome. He said he lost 20 pounds and shed 40% of his visceral fat on his version of the sour meal plan. Kennedy previously told USA Today that the plan consists only of “meat or fermented foods.”
This isn’t being framed as a casual food fad. The Journal connected the growing interest in sauerkraut among Trump’s cabinet to a diet strategy from Dr. Sean O’Mara, who encourages elite clients in business and politics to eat more fermented foods and meat while shunning sugary treats and alcohol.
There’s a practical reason the food has become a centerpiece. Sauerkraut and other fermented foods—such as kimchi, kefir, yogurt and pickles—contain beneficial microorganisms, including live bacteria. These microorganisms are described as active ingredients that feed off of sugar in raw foods to turn them tangy. Some of the most common bacteria in fermented foods. such as lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. are considered good for the gut: they aid digestion. help the body produce essential nutrients like vitamins. kill off pathogenic bacteria. and can decrease inflammation. Experts also emphasize that fermented foods aren’t a magic wand for weight loss. but they can improve the overall composition of the gut—supporting better blood sugar control. more satiety. and improved nutrient absorption.
Still, there’s a limit. Too many fermented foods can lead to gastrointestinal issues such as gas, bloating, stomach cramps and diarrhea. Nutrition experts generally suggest adding fermented foods slowly. alongside fiber from nuts. seeds. vegetables and whole grains. to nurture a healthy. well-balanced gut microbiome.
The stakes are bigger than comfort for some researchers. Scientists have been studying how the gut microbiome may play an underestimated role in certain diseases. and how diets high in ultra-processed foods may foster strains of toxic bacteria in the gut—potentially increasing the likelihood of diseases like colon cancer.
For now, the White House’s “sauerkraut summer” story is less about a single ingredient and more about a broader bet: that what’s on the plate can reshape what’s happening inside the body. The only clear warning is also the simplest—eat too much of it, and the gut doesn’t always cooperate.
sauerkraut fermented foods gut health visceral fat RFK Jr. JD Vance Sean Duffy Howard Lutnick diet strategy gut microbiome lactobacillus bifidobacterium ultra-processed foods
Sauerkraut again? I swear this is all just cabbage propaganda.
RFK lost 20 pounds so now everybody’s gonna eat fermented foods like that’s a miracle. But like… visceral fat isn’t just from what you eat, right? Still, I guess cabbage is better than soda.
Wait, I thought fermented food causes stomach issues for some people? My cousin ate kimchi and got sick so I don’t know how this is a “gut health” thing. Also “meat or fermented foods” sounds like keto but worse? 🤷♀️
This seems like one of those rich people doctor diets. If they’re eating sauerkraut to “shun sugary treats,” that’s cool I guess, but it’s also like… how do you even know what works when you’re also rich and probably not stressed like the rest of us. And RFK only eating meat and fermented stuff sounds kinda extreme, like what about fiber?? Maybe the “live bacteria” thing is just another way to sell supplements later.