I Call Bullsh*t with Kristina Braly

In today’s episode of I Call Bullshit, we’re exposing one of the biggest nutritional cons of all time: The Food Pyramid. If you grew up in the ’90s, you probably remember that colorful USDA poster telling us to eat 6-11 servings of grains per day and to avoid fats like they were poison. Turns out, this wasn’t about health – it was about big money and lobbying. The grain, dairy, and meat industries had their hands all over this, and we’re still feeling the effects today. Tune in to find out how corporate interests shaped decades of bad dietary advice, why obesity skyrocketed after its introduction, and what you can do instead.
 
Chapters
00:00 Unveiling the Food Pyramid Scam07:34 Consequences of the Food Pyramid10:06 The Shift in Dietary Guidelines11:22 Lessons from the Food Pyramid Saga12:27 Outro
 
Key Topics Covered in This Episode:
✅ The real origins of the Food Pyramid and how the USDA’s original version was manipulated by lobbyists.✅ How Big Wheat, Big Dairy, and Big Meat made sure their products were featured prominently in U.S. dietary guidelines.✅ The scientific inaccuracies of the pyramid – including how it pushed refined carbs and demonized fats, leading to an obesity crisis.✅ How the sugar industry ensured that “eat less sugar” never made it onto the Pyramid.✅ The political conflicts of interest that continue to shape U.S. nutrition policies today.✅ What updated science says about proper nutrition, and why not all fats are bad.✅ Actionable tips for building a balanced, evidence-based diet that isn’t influenced by industry lies.
Want to Learn More?
📌 Harvard’s Nutrition Source: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/📌 USDA Dietary Guidelines Archive: https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/📌 Marion Nestle’s Blog on Food Politics: https://www.foodpolitics.com/
💬 What do you think? Did you grow up following the Food Pyramid? Have you changed the way you eat since learning how it was influenced by lobbying? Drop your thoughts in the comments, or DM me on Instagram (@icallbswithkb).
📢 Help spread the truth! If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who still thinks eating white bread every day is a good idea.
Sources & Citations:
Nestle, Marion (2002). Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health. University of California Press.
Comprehensive breakdown of how food lobbying impacts U.S. dietary guidelines.
Light, L. (2004). Fat Politics: The Real Story Behind America’s Obesity Epidemic. Oxford University Press.
Luise Light was a former USDA nutritionist who revealed how the original pyramid was altered to favor industry interests.
USDA Dietary Guidelines Reports (1992, 2005, 2011).
Official government dietary recommendations, including revisions and political influences.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2020). The truth about fats and dietary guidelines.
Analysis of how fats were misrepresented in early guidelines and how new research contradicts prior claims.
National Institute of Health (NIH) Study on Obesity Trends (2021).
Examines the link between USDA dietary guidelines and rising obesity rates in the U.S.
Wall Street Journal (1995). Did the USDA Pyramid Make Us Fat?
Investigative journalism on the fallout from the Food Pyramid’s flawed advice.
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) (2010). Saturated Fat, Sugar, and the Health Crisis: A Reassessment of Dietary Guidelines.
Landmark meta-analysis questioning early dietary guidelines that demonized fat while ignoring sugar.
Keywords
food pyramid, nutrition scams, USDA, dietary guidelines, public health, obesity, big food, corporate influence, dietary recommendations, health education
 

In this episode, Kristina Braly discusses the pervasive presence of PFAS and phthalates in everyday products, their health implications, and the lack of regulation surrounding these chemicals. She shares her personal journey of awareness and the steps she has taken to create a toxin-free brand. The conversation emphasizes the importance of consumer awareness and advocacy in driving change in the industry.
 
More on phthalates: https://aembr.co/blogs/clean/the-hidden-dangers-understanding-the-harmful-effects-of-phthalates-and-parabens-in-home-scents
 
Non-toxic stain-resistant coating: https://amzn.to/3EVU2gS
 
Key Takeaways
PFAS are known as forever chemicals due to their persistence in the environment.
Phthalates are often hidden in fragrances and plastics, affecting health.
Consumer advocacy is crucial for pushing companies towards transparency.
Health risks associated with PFAS include immune system impairment and cancer.
Phthalates can disrupt hormones and affect reproductive health.
Regulations on these chemicals are minimal in the US compared to the EU.
Awareness of these toxins can lead to better consumer choices.
Small incremental changes can significantly reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.
Major retailers are beginning to phase out harmful substances from their products.
Knowledge about these chemicals empowers consumers to make informed decisions.
 
REFERENCES
 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – PFAS
EPA PFAS Website
Comprehensive overview of PFAS, proposed regulations, and health advisories.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Phthalates
FDA Phthalates Q&A
Explains which phthalates are used in cosmetics, safety reviews, and regulations.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) – PFAS
ATSDR PFAS Toxicological Profile
Toxicity data, health effects, and exposure pathways for PFAS.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Phthalates Factsheet
CDC Factsheet on Phthalates
Summaries of biomonitoring studies and health impact research.
Grandjean, P., & Clapp, R. (2021).
Changing interpretation of human health risks from perfluorinated compounds. Public Health Reports.
Highlights evolving science on PFAS toxicity and lower safety thresholds.
Schaider, L.A., et al. (2021).
Fluorinated compounds in U.S. cosmetics. Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 8(7).
Study revealing PFAS in a majority of sampled cosmetics, prompting consumer concern.
Zota, A.R., & Shamasunder, B. (2017).
The environmental injustice of beauty: Fragrance, talc, and chemical exposures. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Discusses disproportionate phthalate exposure among women of color via beauty products.
Bach, C. C., et al. (2016).
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and human health: Epidemiological evidence for association. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Reviews epidemiological data on PFAS link to fertility, metabolic disorders, and cancer risk.
Trasande, L., et al. (2021).
Phthalates and attributable mortality: A population-based longitudinal study. Environmental Pollution, 283.
Estimated thousands of premature deaths linked to phthalate exposure in U.S. adults.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) – Phthalates in Toys
CPSC Guidance
Bans and limits for various phthalates in children’s products.

I Call Bullshit with Kristina Braly is a no-nonsense podcast that unravels the tangled web of corporate greed, exposes scams hiding in plain sight, and challenges the narratives we’ve been force-fed for generations. Buckle up for an unapologetically raw ride into the heart of the biggest stories nobody else wants to tell you straight.