Tamar Haspel
@tamarhaspel.bsky.social
James Beard winning WaPo columnist writing about food & science, author of TO BOLDLY GROW, gentleman oyster farmer.
What foods to avoid?
Yes, foods high in sat fat, sugar, and salt (for different reasons).
Also, foods that are calorie-dense (easy to overeat).
But degree of processing doesn't always correspond to badness.
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
Yes, foods high in sat fat, sugar, and salt (for different reasons).
Also, foods that are calorie-dense (easy to overeat).
But degree of processing doesn't always correspond to badness.
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
People want to avoid ultra-processed foods. But experts struggle to define them
The evidence that ultra-processed foods are bad for us is piling up. But efforts to reduce their role in our diets face a big hurdle: experts can't agree on what they are and which to target.
www.npr.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
What foods to avoid?
Yes, foods high in sat fat, sugar, and salt (for different reasons).
Also, foods that are calorie-dense (easy to overeat).
But degree of processing doesn't always correspond to badness.
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
Yes, foods high in sat fat, sugar, and salt (for different reasons).
Also, foods that are calorie-dense (easy to overeat).
But degree of processing doesn't always correspond to badness.
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- harris@slate.com or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
November 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- harris@slate.com or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
An engineer wanted to make a quiet high-speed train. “The question then occurred to me — is there some living thing that manages sudden changes in air resistance as a part of daily life?” The answer: the kingfisher. See my story today for more tales of bioinspiration. Gift link: nyti.ms/4otNQyl
November 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
An engineer wanted to make a quiet high-speed train. “The question then occurred to me — is there some living thing that manages sudden changes in air resistance as a part of daily life?” The answer: the kingfisher. See my story today for more tales of bioinspiration. Gift link: nyti.ms/4otNQyl
Excellent post on how to evaluate a study.
Does it really say what they say it says? Are there red flags?
As ever, the reason we believe stupid sciency stuff is that research details are boring. But we all know where the devil lives.
Does it really say what they say it says? Are there red flags?
As ever, the reason we believe stupid sciency stuff is that research details are boring. But we all know where the devil lives.
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Excellent post on how to evaluate a study.
Does it really say what they say it says? Are there red flags?
As ever, the reason we believe stupid sciency stuff is that research details are boring. But we all know where the devil lives.
Does it really say what they say it says? Are there red flags?
As ever, the reason we believe stupid sciency stuff is that research details are boring. But we all know where the devil lives.
Hey look! Good news.
In an early, small, trial, a new gene-editing drug reduced cholesterol and triglycerides in high-risk heart-disease patients.
Early. Small. But still.
www.npr.org/2025/11/08/n...
In an early, small, trial, a new gene-editing drug reduced cholesterol and triglycerides in high-risk heart-disease patients.
Early. Small. But still.
www.npr.org/2025/11/08/n...
CRISPR gene-editing works to reduce high cholesterol in a new study
An experimental gene-editing treatment shows promise for permanently lowering levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, possibly helping cut the risk for heart disease.
www.npr.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Hey look! Good news.
In an early, small, trial, a new gene-editing drug reduced cholesterol and triglycerides in high-risk heart-disease patients.
Early. Small. But still.
www.npr.org/2025/11/08/n...
In an early, small, trial, a new gene-editing drug reduced cholesterol and triglycerides in high-risk heart-disease patients.
Early. Small. But still.
www.npr.org/2025/11/08/n...
This is a reminder that Kristallnacht is still in living memory.
Living memory.
And yet we forget.
Living memory.
And yet we forget.
I post this thread on Twitter every year on #Kristallnacht. I’ll post the unrolled version here. My dad is 89 now, still doing great, although pretty gloomy about the election.
threadreaderapp.com/thread/10609...
threadreaderapp.com/thread/10609...
Thread by @MikeGrunwald: "My dad’s first memory is hiding under a table 80 years ago tonight, when Nazis took his dad to Dachau on . His parents, my Omi […]" #Kristallnacht
Thread by @MikeGrunwald: "My dad’s first memory is hiding under a table 80 years ago tonight, when Nazis took his dad to Dachau on . His parepi, always considered themselves more German than Jewish, s...
threadreaderapp.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:33 PM
This is a reminder that Kristallnacht is still in living memory.
Living memory.
And yet we forget.
Living memory.
And yet we forget.
I'll miss my friend and occasional (when I was lucky!) dining companion, Tom Sietsema, but delighted to welcome Elazar to the @washingtonpost.com.
I've known Elazar for a couple of years now. He's an exceptional human being and a wonderful food critic. You're in good hands, D.C. www.washingtonpost.com/food/2025/11...
Column | Meet The Washington Post’s new food critic
Elazar Sontag is The Post’s next food critic — and he won’t be anonymous.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I'll miss my friend and occasional (when I was lucky!) dining companion, Tom Sietsema, but delighted to welcome Elazar to the @washingtonpost.com.
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
We're hiring! Two posts related to sustainability, working with me at @ucc.ie.
1. A postdoc researcher, developing climate-aware energy systems scenarios: www.linkedin.com/posts/hannah...
2. An administrator, managing the new BSc Sustainability: www.linkedin.com/posts/hannah...
1. A postdoc researcher, developing climate-aware energy systems scenarios: www.linkedin.com/posts/hannah...
2. An administrator, managing the new BSc Sustainability: www.linkedin.com/posts/hannah...
We're hiring! The Energy Policy and Modelling Group is recruiting a postdoctoral/senior postdoctoral researcher to integrate climate-aware approaches into national energy and power system models… ...
We're hiring! The Energy Policy and Modelling Group is recruiting a postdoctoral/senior postdoctoral researcher to integrate climate-aware approaches into national energy and power system models, addr...
www.linkedin.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:37 PM
We're hiring! Two posts related to sustainability, working with me at @ucc.ie.
1. A postdoc researcher, developing climate-aware energy systems scenarios: www.linkedin.com/posts/hannah...
2. An administrator, managing the new BSc Sustainability: www.linkedin.com/posts/hannah...
1. A postdoc researcher, developing climate-aware energy systems scenarios: www.linkedin.com/posts/hannah...
2. An administrator, managing the new BSc Sustainability: www.linkedin.com/posts/hannah...
Single best way to improve lentil soup is sausage
Stir, simmer, sip, savor: The steps to making lentil soup are as steadying as the dish itself. Here are seven secrets that will make every bowl of the season feel fresh and fun.
7 Ways to Improve Any Lentil Soup
These expert tips will make every bowl of the season feel fresh and fun.
nyti.ms
November 10, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Single best way to improve lentil soup is sausage
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
When your opponent is drowning, it’s important to throw yourself an anvil.
November 9, 2025 at 11:35 PM
When your opponent is drowning, it’s important to throw yourself an anvil.
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
If Schumer actually does this insane deal, it’s fair to wonder if he’s making Republican bets on Fanduel. This is Terry Rozier-level politics.
November 9, 2025 at 11:09 PM
If Schumer actually does this insane deal, it’s fair to wonder if he’s making Republican bets on Fanduel. This is Terry Rozier-level politics.
Turning brewery waste into sweaters!
If I had to do it all over again, I might pick materials science. It's totally fascinating what you can turn stuff into.
That, or cognitive neuroscience. Hell, either pays better than journalism!
www.chemistryworld.com/news/beer-ye...
If I had to do it all over again, I might pick materials science. It's totally fascinating what you can turn stuff into.
That, or cognitive neuroscience. Hell, either pays better than journalism!
www.chemistryworld.com/news/beer-ye...
Beer yeast leftovers spun into a promising sustainable yarn 50% stronger than wool
Brewery waste can be turned into a cheap, environmentally-friendly textile
www.chemistryworld.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Turning brewery waste into sweaters!
If I had to do it all over again, I might pick materials science. It's totally fascinating what you can turn stuff into.
That, or cognitive neuroscience. Hell, either pays better than journalism!
www.chemistryworld.com/news/beer-ye...
If I had to do it all over again, I might pick materials science. It's totally fascinating what you can turn stuff into.
That, or cognitive neuroscience. Hell, either pays better than journalism!
www.chemistryworld.com/news/beer-ye...
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
ALERT: Baby Formula
13 cases of infant botulism reported from Aug through Nov 2025 coming in 10 states thus far. Please see web content for specifics on lot numbers and more.
Special shoutout to our friends and colleagues at CDC and FDA who got this out quickly all while not being paid.
13 cases of infant botulism reported from Aug through Nov 2025 coming in 10 states thus far. Please see web content for specifics on lot numbers and more.
Special shoutout to our friends and colleagues at CDC and FDA who got this out quickly all while not being paid.
Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Infant Formula, November 2025
Details on an outbreak of infant botulism linked to infant formula, November 2025.
www.cdc.gov
November 8, 2025 at 10:38 PM
ALERT: Baby Formula
13 cases of infant botulism reported from Aug through Nov 2025 coming in 10 states thus far. Please see web content for specifics on lot numbers and more.
Special shoutout to our friends and colleagues at CDC and FDA who got this out quickly all while not being paid.
13 cases of infant botulism reported from Aug through Nov 2025 coming in 10 states thus far. Please see web content for specifics on lot numbers and more.
Special shoutout to our friends and colleagues at CDC and FDA who got this out quickly all while not being paid.
remember when the right was all "but states' rights!"
BREAKING: The Trump administration is demanding states "undo" efforts to provide full SNAP payouts for November amid court battle.
Trump administration demands states 'undo' full SNAP payouts as states warn of 'catastrophic impact'
President Donald Trump's administration is demanding that states reverse full SNAP benefits issued under recent court orders. The U.S.
bit.ly
November 9, 2025 at 6:17 PM
remember when the right was all "but states' rights!"
I think it's just possible that we turned a corner this week.
November 9, 2025 at 2:17 PM
I think it's just possible that we turned a corner this week.
As a bonus, you'll be supporting folks believing stupid shit for years to come!
My tip if you want to rack up citations to get a good paying job in research is to make a quick, low-quality systematic review in a niche where there are few. People simply don’t read studies beyond the title anymore and no one gives a shit. Certainly not the publishers with 50% profit margins.
November 9, 2025 at 12:56 PM
As a bonus, you'll be supporting folks believing stupid shit for years to come!
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
This one surely has something on offer for every one: In this cross-sectional mediation analysis, the "effects" of soft drink consumption on depression were "mediated" by abundance of Eggerthela in the gut microbiome.
This was sent to me via dm and now you all got to suffer as well.
This was sent to me via dm and now you all got to suffer as well.
Soft Drink Consumption and Depression Mediated by Gut Microbiome Alterations
This cohort study examines the association between soft drink consumption and major depressive disorder diagnosis and severity and whether this association is mediated by changes in the gut microbiota...
jamanetwork.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:19 AM
This one surely has something on offer for every one: In this cross-sectional mediation analysis, the "effects" of soft drink consumption on depression were "mediated" by abundance of Eggerthela in the gut microbiome.
This was sent to me via dm and now you all got to suffer as well.
This was sent to me via dm and now you all got to suffer as well.
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
Write for us!
Here are 26 ideas of articles we'd like to commission.
www.worksinprogress.news/p/more-artic...
Here are 26 ideas of articles we'd like to commission.
www.worksinprogress.news/p/more-artic...
November 8, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Write for us!
Here are 26 ideas of articles we'd like to commission.
www.worksinprogress.news/p/more-artic...
Here are 26 ideas of articles we'd like to commission.
www.worksinprogress.news/p/more-artic...
There's a new weight-loss drugs in town.
It's not a GLP-1 (it's a "selective amylin receptor agonist" but I don't pretend to know what that is), and appears effective.
Highest dose group lost 20% of their weight in 48 weeks.
Lowest dose lost 9%.
www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcover...
It's not a GLP-1 (it's a "selective amylin receptor agonist" but I don't pretend to know what that is), and appears effective.
Highest dose group lost 20% of their weight in 48 weeks.
Lowest dose lost 9%.
www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcover...
Novel Drug Led to Meaningful Weight Loss in Adults With Obesity
No plateau in weight loss occurred over the 48-week study period
www.medpagetoday.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:29 PM
There's a new weight-loss drugs in town.
It's not a GLP-1 (it's a "selective amylin receptor agonist" but I don't pretend to know what that is), and appears effective.
Highest dose group lost 20% of their weight in 48 weeks.
Lowest dose lost 9%.
www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcover...
It's not a GLP-1 (it's a "selective amylin receptor agonist" but I don't pretend to know what that is), and appears effective.
Highest dose group lost 20% of their weight in 48 weeks.
Lowest dose lost 9%.
www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcover...
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
My former UC Davis colleagues Ermias Kebreab and Paulo de Meo Filho went on Marketplace to talk about using seaweed and CRISPR to mitigate cattle enteric methane emissions!
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...
Could an early diet of seaweed produce climate-friendlier beef?
A UC Davis study shows promising results.
www.marketplace.org
November 7, 2025 at 8:48 PM
My former UC Davis colleagues Ermias Kebreab and Paulo de Meo Filho went on Marketplace to talk about using seaweed and CRISPR to mitigate cattle enteric methane emissions!
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1...
Reposted by Tamar Haspel
I gave a short and kinda provocative talk about climate communications at B.U.'s inaugural Media Innovation and Social Impact summit. I posted it on my free Substack, which is called Emissions; I haven't emitted much yet but please sign up, I'm planning to start.
open.substack.com/pub/michaelg...
open.substack.com/pub/michaelg...
A Failure to Communicate
A few inconvenient truths about climate communication and climate action. Starting with the awkward fact that they're not as inextricably linked as climate people think.
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I gave a short and kinda provocative talk about climate communications at B.U.'s inaugural Media Innovation and Social Impact summit. I posted it on my free Substack, which is called Emissions; I haven't emitted much yet but please sign up, I'm planning to start.
open.substack.com/pub/michaelg...
open.substack.com/pub/michaelg...
A committee.
They want a committee.
🤦
They want a committee.
🤦
November 7, 2025 at 8:17 PM
A committee.
They want a committee.
🤦
They want a committee.
🤦
An early indication that patients can reduce the frequency of GLP-1s after they reach their goal, and maintain the weight loss.
www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcover...
www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcover...
Some Patients Can Maintain Health Gains After Reducing GLP-1 Dose Frequency
It may not work for everyone, but it may for those who already reached their clinical goals
www.medpagetoday.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:32 PM
An early indication that patients can reduce the frequency of GLP-1s after they reach their goal, and maintain the weight loss.
www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcover...
www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcover...
Listeria kills.
Check any pasta meals you bought from Trader Joe's, Albertson's, Kroger, Walmart, Giant Eagle, or Sprouts.
Cooking doesn't kill listeria; it survives to kill us. Do not mess with it.
www.npr.org/2025/11/04/n...
Check any pasta meals you bought from Trader Joe's, Albertson's, Kroger, Walmart, Giant Eagle, or Sprouts.
Cooking doesn't kill listeria; it survives to kill us. Do not mess with it.
www.npr.org/2025/11/04/n...
Worsening listeria outbreak tied to pasta products kills 6, hospitalizes 25
Certain prepared pasta dishes were recalled from retailers like Trader Joe's, Kroger and Walmart between June and October. Health officials urge customers to dispose of them and clean their fridges.
www.npr.org
November 6, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Listeria kills.
Check any pasta meals you bought from Trader Joe's, Albertson's, Kroger, Walmart, Giant Eagle, or Sprouts.
Cooking doesn't kill listeria; it survives to kill us. Do not mess with it.
www.npr.org/2025/11/04/n...
Check any pasta meals you bought from Trader Joe's, Albertson's, Kroger, Walmart, Giant Eagle, or Sprouts.
Cooking doesn't kill listeria; it survives to kill us. Do not mess with it.
www.npr.org/2025/11/04/n...
If it's 135 million pounds (in the text), that's 6 oz. per American.
If it's 135 billion pounds (in the video) that's 400 pounds per American.
They just fucking say shit.
If it's 135 billion pounds (in the video) that's 400 pounds per American.
They just fucking say shit.
November 6, 2025 at 6:14 PM
If it's 135 million pounds (in the text), that's 6 oz. per American.
If it's 135 billion pounds (in the video) that's 400 pounds per American.
They just fucking say shit.
If it's 135 billion pounds (in the video) that's 400 pounds per American.
They just fucking say shit.