Lindsey Smith Taillie
@lindseytaillie.bsky.social
Assoc prof @UNC. I study policy for healthy, sustainable food systems. Skeets parenting, politics, dumb jokes.
Was fun to be interviewed about this exciting new study showing the link between increased heat and more soda consumption.
Just weeks ago a food industry rep yelled at me at ICN for pointing out aggressive soda and ice cream marketing during heatwaves. Mic drop!
www.npr.org/2025/09/10/n...
Just weeks ago a food industry rep yelled at me at ICN for pointing out aggressive soda and ice cream marketing during heatwaves. Mic drop!
www.npr.org/2025/09/10/n...
You're more likely to reach for that soda when it's hot outside
People drink more sugary beverages when it's hot, researchers found, significantly increasing their sugar intake. That impact could grow as climate change raises the world's temperatures.
www.npr.org
September 10, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Was fun to be interviewed about this exciting new study showing the link between increased heat and more soda consumption.
Just weeks ago a food industry rep yelled at me at ICN for pointing out aggressive soda and ice cream marketing during heatwaves. Mic drop!
www.npr.org/2025/09/10/n...
Just weeks ago a food industry rep yelled at me at ICN for pointing out aggressive soda and ice cream marketing during heatwaves. Mic drop!
www.npr.org/2025/09/10/n...
Prediction: in five years, UNC will have transitioned from research powerhouse to glorified stadium.
Or at this rate, maybe by next year.
Or at this rate, maybe by next year.
N.C. Senate Proposes $56 Million for UNC Athletics - Carolina Alumni
alumni.unc.edu
June 4, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Prediction: in five years, UNC will have transitioned from research powerhouse to glorified stadium.
Or at this rate, maybe by next year.
Or at this rate, maybe by next year.
Among many other much more serious grievances, the writer in me is pissed off to have to replace the word "diverse" with "sociodemographically heterogeneous" in my grant proposals.
May 22, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Among many other much more serious grievances, the writer in me is pissed off to have to replace the word "diverse" with "sociodemographically heterogeneous" in my grant proposals.
A couple months ago I posted a joke about resetting passwords that turned into a humor piece that was published in McSweeney's today!
I hope my kids take this profound lesson to heart.
I hope my kids take this profound lesson to heart.
On My Deathbed, I Have Just One Regret: Not Spending More Time Resetting Passwords
Come closer, grandchild. Thanks for visiting me one last time before I die. I’ve lived a great life. I climbed Mt. Everest, founded a Fortune 500 c...
www.mcsweeneys.net
May 22, 2025 at 5:50 PM
A couple months ago I posted a joke about resetting passwords that turned into a humor piece that was published in McSweeney's today!
I hope my kids take this profound lesson to heart.
I hope my kids take this profound lesson to heart.
Great news out of Norway! #MAHA would do well to follow suit. Much like tobacco, we should not be advertising junk food to children.
Norway bans marketing of unhealthy food and drinks to children
A regulation that prohibits the marketing of unhealthy food and drinks that is particularly aimed at children has today entered into force.
www.regjeringen.no
May 1, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Great news out of Norway! #MAHA would do well to follow suit. Much like tobacco, we should not be advertising junk food to children.
Reposted by Lindsey Smith Taillie
Some of MAHA's concerns -- like avoiding ultra-processed foods -- are backed up by mainstream science. Others, like a focus on food dyes, are less so.
“If you ask me what would be the one thing that we need to do ... removing food dyes would be way down on the list." @lindseytaillie.bsky.social
“If you ask me what would be the one thing that we need to do ... removing food dyes would be way down on the list." @lindseytaillie.bsky.social
April 24, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Some of MAHA's concerns -- like avoiding ultra-processed foods -- are backed up by mainstream science. Others, like a focus on food dyes, are less so.
“If you ask me what would be the one thing that we need to do ... removing food dyes would be way down on the list." @lindseytaillie.bsky.social
“If you ask me what would be the one thing that we need to do ... removing food dyes would be way down on the list." @lindseytaillie.bsky.social
“You win more bees with honey than fire,” Dr. Makary said, adding “I believe in love, and let’s start in a friendly way and see if we can do this without any statutory or regulatory changes.”
Decades of research show that this approach fails every single time.
Decades of research show that this approach fails every single time.
April 23, 2025 at 5:52 PM
“You win more bees with honey than fire,” Dr. Makary said, adding “I believe in love, and let’s start in a friendly way and see if we can do this without any statutory or regulatory changes.”
Decades of research show that this approach fails every single time.
Decades of research show that this approach fails every single time.
Tell me you're a millennial without telling me you're a millennial. I'll go first:
I marched into my hairstylists' yesterday and requested the Carrie Coon cut from White Lotus.
I marched into my hairstylists' yesterday and requested the Carrie Coon cut from White Lotus.
April 20, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Tell me you're a millennial without telling me you're a millennial. I'll go first:
I marched into my hairstylists' yesterday and requested the Carrie Coon cut from White Lotus.
I marched into my hairstylists' yesterday and requested the Carrie Coon cut from White Lotus.
Our new commentary out in Lancet: The promises & pitfalls of MAHA.
Of course, in the short time since we wrote this, much has changed. Most alarming is @kevinh-phd.bsky.social's early retirement from the NIH due over censorship of results that don't align with the MAHA message.
Of course, in the short time since we wrote this, much has changed. Most alarming is @kevinh-phd.bsky.social's early retirement from the NIH due over censorship of results that don't align with the MAHA message.
The promise and pitfalls of “Make America Healthy Again”
The “Make America Healthy Again Movement” (MAHA) is arguably the largest, most energised
movement to date to address the USA's twin epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Although MAHA does not foc...
www.thelancet.com
April 17, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Our new commentary out in Lancet: The promises & pitfalls of MAHA.
Of course, in the short time since we wrote this, much has changed. Most alarming is @kevinh-phd.bsky.social's early retirement from the NIH due over censorship of results that don't align with the MAHA message.
Of course, in the short time since we wrote this, much has changed. Most alarming is @kevinh-phd.bsky.social's early retirement from the NIH due over censorship of results that don't align with the MAHA message.
Every parent is so relieved when they’re finally done with paying for daycare.
What they don’t realize is as your kids age, there’s something looming on the horizon, something that will drain your bank account even faster than a play-based French-themed nursery school:
Athleisure.
What they don’t realize is as your kids age, there’s something looming on the horizon, something that will drain your bank account even faster than a play-based French-themed nursery school:
Athleisure.
April 17, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Every parent is so relieved when they’re finally done with paying for daycare.
What they don’t realize is as your kids age, there’s something looming on the horizon, something that will drain your bank account even faster than a play-based French-themed nursery school:
Athleisure.
What they don’t realize is as your kids age, there’s something looming on the horizon, something that will drain your bank account even faster than a play-based French-themed nursery school:
Athleisure.
I'm a little scared to post this, but I'm finally ready to talk about my big breakup. It's hard to say goodbye to your partner of multiple decades, but I did it and have lived to tell the tale.
Get your tissues ready. It's a love story more tragic than Bennifer's.
Get your tissues ready. It's a love story more tragic than Bennifer's.
My Big Breakup
More tragic than Bennifer
open.substack.com
April 14, 2025 at 2:29 PM
I'm a little scared to post this, but I'm finally ready to talk about my big breakup. It's hard to say goodbye to your partner of multiple decades, but I did it and have lived to tell the tale.
Get your tissues ready. It's a love story more tragic than Bennifer's.
Get your tissues ready. It's a love story more tragic than Bennifer's.
Me and my MPI going to project meetings these days.
April 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Me and my MPI going to project meetings these days.
Reposted by Lindsey Smith Taillie
In a sample of 1,226 school food authorities across 8 states, only 17% of schools reported serving scratch or modified scratch cooked foods (i.e., minimally processed) daily.
Learn more in a new research brief: bit.ly/3DIZmnG
Learn more in a new research brief: bit.ly/3DIZmnG
March 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
In a sample of 1,226 school food authorities across 8 states, only 17% of schools reported serving scratch or modified scratch cooked foods (i.e., minimally processed) daily.
Learn more in a new research brief: bit.ly/3DIZmnG
Learn more in a new research brief: bit.ly/3DIZmnG
Today I did the bravest thing I've ever done.
I canceled my Amazon Prime subscription.
If you need me, you can find me in my bedroom, where I'll be playing Bon Jovi's "Always" on repeat while stroking my final cardboard box full of shit I could have bought at Walgreens.
I canceled my Amazon Prime subscription.
If you need me, you can find me in my bedroom, where I'll be playing Bon Jovi's "Always" on repeat while stroking my final cardboard box full of shit I could have bought at Walgreens.
March 19, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Today I did the bravest thing I've ever done.
I canceled my Amazon Prime subscription.
If you need me, you can find me in my bedroom, where I'll be playing Bon Jovi's "Always" on repeat while stroking my final cardboard box full of shit I could have bought at Walgreens.
I canceled my Amazon Prime subscription.
If you need me, you can find me in my bedroom, where I'll be playing Bon Jovi's "Always" on repeat while stroking my final cardboard box full of shit I could have bought at Walgreens.
Reposted by Lindsey Smith Taillie
The media coverage associated with March Madness basketball is a great opportunity for universities to explain the importance of academic freedom and diversity of students, faculty, employees and thought.
March 19, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The media coverage associated with March Madness basketball is a great opportunity for universities to explain the importance of academic freedom and diversity of students, faculty, employees and thought.
Writing a grant in normal times is an act of optimism. You develop your plans, get genuinely excited about the value your science will bring the world, and convince other folks to join you. The odds are low, but you feel hopeful.
Writing a grant during current times feels like an act of insanity.
Writing a grant during current times feels like an act of insanity.
March 19, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Writing a grant in normal times is an act of optimism. You develop your plans, get genuinely excited about the value your science will bring the world, and convince other folks to join you. The odds are low, but you feel hopeful.
Writing a grant during current times feels like an act of insanity.
Writing a grant during current times feels like an act of insanity.
"In effect, American farmers have put a lot more of their eggs in a relatively small number of baskets."
^ epic burn
www.npr.org/2025/03/18/n...
^ epic burn
www.npr.org/2025/03/18/n...
This is why Canada has plenty of eggs — and the U.S. doesn't
While the U.S. grapples with an egg shortage caused by avian flu, eggs remain plentiful and affordable in Canada. There are reasons for that, including that egg farms there tend to be smaller.
www.npr.org
March 18, 2025 at 3:55 PM
"In effect, American farmers have put a lot more of their eggs in a relatively small number of baskets."
^ epic burn
www.npr.org/2025/03/18/n...
^ epic burn
www.npr.org/2025/03/18/n...
My inbox is half emails from me attempting to remind myself of something I need to do, but they're totally undecipherable.
"FOOD DYES"
"EDGE PRODUCTS"
"LEAVE COUNTRY"
Hm, I guess that last one's a little clearer.
"FOOD DYES"
"EDGE PRODUCTS"
"LEAVE COUNTRY"
Hm, I guess that last one's a little clearer.
March 18, 2025 at 1:38 PM
My inbox is half emails from me attempting to remind myself of something I need to do, but they're totally undecipherable.
"FOOD DYES"
"EDGE PRODUCTS"
"LEAVE COUNTRY"
Hm, I guess that last one's a little clearer.
"FOOD DYES"
"EDGE PRODUCTS"
"LEAVE COUNTRY"
Hm, I guess that last one's a little clearer.
"As in psychological warfare — where destabilization is sought through confusion, fear, and mistrust — our current climate of chaos and apprehension has gripped researchers, federal workers, and Americans who rely on the government."
minnesotareformer.com/2025/03/13/i...
minnesotareformer.com/2025/03/13/i...
If we don’t act now, we risk losing the institutions that keep our society open, informed and free • Minnesota Reformer
History shows us the dangers of suppressing opposing views.
minnesotareformer.com
March 17, 2025 at 2:31 PM
"As in psychological warfare — where destabilization is sought through confusion, fear, and mistrust — our current climate of chaos and apprehension has gripped researchers, federal workers, and Americans who rely on the government."
minnesotareformer.com/2025/03/13/i...
minnesotareformer.com/2025/03/13/i...
Let's say it louder for the folks in the back:
French fries aren't healthy no matter what they're fried in.
(Also, seed oils are FINE.)
French fries aren't healthy no matter what they're fried in.
(Also, seed oils are FINE.)
Are beef tallow fries any healthier? These nutritionists say don't kid yourself
In a recent appearance on Fox News, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ate French fries cooked in beef tallow and mused that 'food is medicine.' Nutrition scientists are scratching their heads.
www.npr.org
March 17, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Let's say it louder for the folks in the back:
French fries aren't healthy no matter what they're fried in.
(Also, seed oils are FINE.)
French fries aren't healthy no matter what they're fried in.
(Also, seed oils are FINE.)
Reposted by Lindsey Smith Taillie
New report shows that NIH grants fueled $95 billion in economic activity and 407,782 jobs in 2024.
That's not to mention the countless lives that biomedical research has saved.
Show me a better investment than that.
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
That's not to mention the countless lives that biomedical research has saved.
Show me a better investment than that.
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
NIH Grants Fueled $95 Billion In FY 2024 Economic Activity, Finds New Report
National Institutes of Health grants generated almost $95 billion in economic activity nationwide in FY 2024 according to a new report by United for Medical Research.
www.forbes.com
March 12, 2025 at 8:47 PM
New report shows that NIH grants fueled $95 billion in economic activity and 407,782 jobs in 2024.
That's not to mention the countless lives that biomedical research has saved.
Show me a better investment than that.
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
That's not to mention the countless lives that biomedical research has saved.
Show me a better investment than that.
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
If you want to get ultraprocessed foods out of schools, which RJK Jr. and many other Republican legislators have claimed to want to do, this is the OPPOSITE approach the government should take:
www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
USDA cancels $1B in local food purchasing for schools, food banks
States have been notified that they will not receive 2025 funding for schools to buy food from nearby farms.
www.politico.com
March 11, 2025 at 4:20 PM
If you want to get ultraprocessed foods out of schools, which RJK Jr. and many other Republican legislators have claimed to want to do, this is the OPPOSITE approach the government should take:
www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
Reposted by Lindsey Smith Taillie
I really wish media outlets would stop parroting the Trump line about rooting out "fraud, waste, and abuse" because we all know that's code for any program the groypers don't like. It's similar to how DEI has been used to eupehmize racism and resegregation.
March 7, 2025 at 12:38 PM
I really wish media outlets would stop parroting the Trump line about rooting out "fraud, waste, and abuse" because we all know that's code for any program the groypers don't like. It's similar to how DEI has been used to eupehmize racism and resegregation.
New article in Nature Food: how the food industry exploits our biology for profit.
Comment by Barry Popkin, @shuwenng.bsky.social, & @lindseytaillie.bsky.social in @naturefood.bsky.social on how ultra-processed products exploit our biology & lead to increased disease + environmental harm, accelerating most rapidly in low- and middle-income countries.
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
The mismatch between biological needs and the modern food industry - Nature Food
The food industry has created ultra-processed food-like products that disrupt nature’s biological matrix and exploit our innate preferences for sugar, salt and fat — with the goal of encouraging overc...
www.nature.com
March 11, 2025 at 1:07 AM
New article in Nature Food: how the food industry exploits our biology for profit.