U.S. Food Politics and Rethinking Chronic Disease | Calley Means

Why do so many U.S. nutrition and health policies seem to favor ultra-processed foods over real, nutrient-dense foods—and what can be done about it? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Calley Means—New York Times #1 best-selling author, co-founder of Truemed, and Senior Advisor to the White House on MAHA—unpacks the structural incentives driving chronic disease in America. Calley draws on his experience as a former political consultant for food and pharmaceutical companies to reveal how lobbying and reimbursement systems shape the foods we eat and the treatments we receive. We discuss how misaligned incentives fuel the epidemic of obesity and metabolic disorders, why prevention remains undervalued, and what reforms could redirect billions toward truly health-promoting foods. Highlights from the episode include: How Big Food and Big Pharma shape nutrition guidelines and healthcare spending The impact of ultra-processed foods on children’s health and chronic disease risk Policy and market innovations—like food-as-medicine—that could shift incentives toward prevention Practical steps for individuals and policymakers to support healthier food environments Calley shares an urgent, insider’s perspective on how policy and industry can change to address the root causes of metabolic disease rather than merely treating symptoms. Find Calley Means on X and Instagram, learn more about Truemed at truemed.com, and order Good Energy on Amazon. Connect with Ty on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Read his publications on Google Scholar. Sign up for Ty's Newsletter.