A distinctive dietary trend appears to be gaining traction among senior officials in Donald Trump’s administration. Top cabinet members are reportedly following a regimen centered on fermented foods, red meat—especially grass-fed beef—and complete abstinence from alcohol. Signature items include sauerkraut, kimchi, and steak.
Who’s On Board?
Among the most prominent adherents are Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Vice President JD Vance, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
What’s on the Plate?
Their daily meals feature generous portions of sauerkraut and kimchi—the famed Korean dish made from fermented napa cabbage, garlic, ginger, and chili peppers—as well as grass-fed beef, eggs, pickles, and berries. Sugar and alcoholic beverages are nearly absent from their diets. For snacks, they favor aged, strongly flavored cheeses such as blue cheese, gorgonzola, and Parmesan.
The Doctor Behind the Diet
According to The Wall Street Journal, the regimen is inspired by Dr. Sean O’Mara, a physician who developed a nutrition program he says helps reduce visceral fat—the type that accumulates around internal organs and is linked to higher risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic disorders.
O’Mara also claims fermented foods improve gut microbiome function and support digestion. His recommendations include traditional aged cheeses like gorgonzola, blue cheese, and Parmesan. His services come at a premium: a single private consultation reportedly costs up to $18,000, while his ‘health optimization’ programs start at $8,000.
Transformations at the White House
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was among the first to adopt the plan—about a year ago. He has said he lost significant weight and experienced relief from chronic pain and long-standing health issues.
Vice President JD Vance began the diet during Lent and has maintained it as a permanent lifestyle change. Reports describe his typical day as starting with eggs, sauerkraut, and pickles for lunch, followed by grass-fed beef or lamb for dinner—always accompanied by fermented foods.
Other high-ranking administration officials are said to have adopted similar changes, citing weight loss and improved physical well-being.
Fermented foods have drawn increasing scientific attention in recent years due to their probiotic content and other bioactive compounds linked to digestive and immune health.