Secretary of State Marco Rubio openly ridiculed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s dietary regimen on Tuesday, labeling the meat-and-fermented-vegetable plan “crazy” and impractical for someone in his position. During an appearance on “The Katie Miller Podcast” alongside his wife, Jeanette, Rubio was asked whether he had adopted Kennedy's eating habits, which are said to target visceral fat and improve gut health.
“No! This is a crazy diet. This is a diet that consists of eating sauerkraut and meat. Now you understand – like this is not a sustainable thing,” Rubio said. He added, “He has to travel with coolers of sauerkraut! I'm not going to travel the world with a cooler full of sauerkraut. It's ridiculous. I can't do it.”
While Rubio said he supports the broader Make America Healthy Again agenda championed by Kennedy, his wife quickly interjected, “No he is not. He is completely not.” The lighthearted exchange continued when Miller asked what the secretary typically eats. Jeanette replied, “Pop-Tarts,” adding that he enjoys “sweets.” Rubio defended the choice, calling Pop-Tarts “one of the great American innovations in the history of the world.”
The secretary also recalled his brief attempt at the keto diet five years ago, describing the withdrawal from carbohydrates and sugar as a “near-psychotic event.” He joked that if he tried such a diet while in office, he might impulsively order military action: “Mr. President, we must bomb, you know – Paraguay.” When asked why, he said, “I don't know, I'm just really mad. I haven't had any sugar.”
Rubio clarified that he is not opposed to the diet and encourages others to try it, but stressed it is “not for everyone.” The diet, promoted by Dr. Sean O'Mara, also includes kimchi and grass-fed steak while eliminating alcohol and sugar. Kennedy adopted the regimen last year, joined by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Vice President Vance began the diet during Lent this year.
Kennedy told the Wall Street Journal that the diet helped him lose 20 pounds in 30 days and eased an irregular heartbeat. However, O'Mara noted the program is costly, with “optimization plans” starting at $8,000 and direct consultations at $18,000.
The interview also touched on the State Department's recent task force on birth tourism and the administration's broader foreign policy shifts, with Rubio noting there is no “single typical day” at the department. He also shared that the funniest colleagues in the administration are Kennedy, Vance, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and described Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as a “cat guy.”
The joint podcast appearance offered a rare glimpse into the personal dynamics of the administration, with Rubio's wife playfully contradicting his political stances. The secretary's remarks come amid ongoing revelations about Cabinet members' personalities and the administration's efforts to reshape U.S. foreign policy.
