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Christopher Gardner

@cgardnerphd.bsky.social
628 followers 22 following 36 posts

Stanford Nutrition Scientist since 1993. Human nutrition. Food systems. Stealth nutrition. Father of 4 boys. Husband of @melissamichelson

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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
Consensus & Confusion While the '25–'30 Dietary Guidelines repeat familiar messages like eat more veggies & fruits, they also overemphasize protein, downplay fiber, muddy guidance on processed foods, and send mixed messages on saturated fat. My take: med.stanford.edu/nutrition/ne...
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
AHA Levy Lecture Honored to deliver the '25 @American_Heart Robert Levy Memorial Lecture @ #AHA25 Scientific Sessions in NOLA. I spoke about how science communication can inspire trust, reduce polarization & empower healthier choices. Thanks to Dr. Chiadi Ndumele for presenting me w/the award
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 08/11/2025
Stanford Food Summit Two weeks ago, nearly 300 researchers & change makers came together for the '25 @Stanford Food Summit. It was a day of connection, inspiring keynotes, and action-driven discussions on building healthier, more sustainable food systems. Videos: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
youtube.com
2025 Stanford Food Summit - YouTube
Hosted by Stanford Medicine’s Plant-Based Diet Initiative, this daylong conference brought together Stanford researchers, faculty, staff, and community partn...
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
UPFs in Schools Join me + other school food experts on Sept 17 @ 1 pm ET for “Reducing Ultra-Processed Meals: The Next Chapter in School Food” - the second webinar in the three-part Healthy School Food for Thought series hosted by Chef Ann Foundation Register: bit.ly/4c3dOTY
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
MAHA Report The new report gets some things right - better diets, more activity, less exposure to chemicals. But ignoring solid science in favor of “whim & whimsy” (like deep-frying in beef tallow) won’t improve children’s health. Evidence-based nutrition will. www.cnn.com/2025/09/10/h...
cnn.com
MAHA’s ‘Make Our Children Healthy Again’ guidance ignores real causes of poor childhood health, experts say | CNN
Experts say the latest MAHA report, which focused on children’s health, didn’t include science-backed ways or funding to improve their well-being.
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
#SchoolFoodReimagined We’ve got something exciting cooking with Eat Real Certified…and it’s about the future of school meals. Stay tuned for the big reveal this Thursday!
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
Just published! Congrats to lead authors, Dalia Perelman & Elisa Caffrey, on publishing "Unpacking Food Fermentation" in Advances in Nutrition. They explore what we know (and don’t) about fermented foods & why clearer definitions & research matter. 🔗 pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Unpacking Food Fermentation: Clinically Relevant Tools for Fermented Food Identification and Consumption
Fermented foods have been consumed for millennia, valued for their extended shelf life, distinctive sensory properties, and potential health benefits. Emerging research suggests that fermented food co...
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 12/07/2025
Beans, Peas and Lentils Good for your health, your budget, and the environment, as engagingly revealed by Anahad O'Connor www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/202...
washingtonpost.com
Want to eat healthier? Add half a cup of this food to your daily diet.
Beans are packed with nutrients, and experts suggest adding half a cup to your favorite meals for an easy health boost.
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
🎉Emmy-Nominated! “You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment” — the @netflix docuseries featuring our @stanford Twins Study — is up for an Emmy in the Outstanding Lifestyle Program category! What a powerful nod to science communication and good research.
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
🌱🍓Farm to Table Camp For the 14th year, we're partnering w/ @SantaClaraUSD on their 11-acre farm in Sunnyvale, CA. Kids garden, cook, & learn where food comes from. We're thrilled to support the district's new greenhouse w/ help from @ardmore_health. www.svvoice.com/new-greenhou...
svvoice.com
New Greenhouse At SCUSD Farm Offers Unique Learning Opportunities - The Silicon Valley Voice
The Santa Clara Unified School District cut the ribbon on its new greenhouse on April 26, giving students a new educational tool.
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
IGNITE Firefighters' Health Study We’re fired up to partner with @SFFDPIO + sffcpf.org on a groundbreaking study asking: Can a whole-food, plant-based diet help reduce cancer risk in firefighters? Big questions, bold science, and more exciting updates to come soon!
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Huberman Lab podcast Had a great time chatting with Andrew Huberman on his podcast about all things food & health - popular diets, protein myths, gut health, food allergies & more. Grateful to have had the opportunity to share evidence-based nutrition insights. www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vQZ...
youtube.com
How Different Diets Impact Your Health | Dr. Christopher Gardner
YouTube video by Andrew Huberman
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
New Publication: FeFiFo-MOMS Methods Our latest publication outlines our FeFiFo-MOMS study design, paving the way for future research on how diet during pregnancy impacts the microbiomes of mom & baby—an area still not well understood. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Unapologetic Deliciousness Talk This is my 2nd attempt to give this talk in Vallejo, CA @ Touro University. The first attempt on Dec 5, 2024 coincided w/ a California earthquake & automatic tsunami warning that led to evacuating campus, including me. 😱🌊 (there was no tsunami)
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Excited to Present at #CIAHKHL For 20+ years, the Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives conference has united healthcare and culinary arts to improve access to healthy, affordable food. See you there? Learn more at www.healthykitchens.org/schedule
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
Anti-transgender executive order @melissamichelson.bsky.social comments on the Executive Order and cites her scholarly work for the past decade on why this can lead to real harm for transgender people blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
Trump’s anti-transgender executive order claims to protect women, but will lead to real harms for transgender people, women and men
Donald Trump’s executive order which insists that gender is equivalent to sex follows the president’s repeated attacks on transgender people and their rights during the 2024 election campaign, writ…
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Believe Science, Not Hype RFK Jr. & influencers call seed oils "poison," but research shows they can be part of a healthy diet. The real issue? Misinformation. As @neiltyson says, “Science is true, whether or not you believe in it.” My @MSNBC op-ed: www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
msnbc.com
Opinion | RFK Jr.’s fight against seed oils raises two key questions
I agree with Trump's HHS nominee on the dangers of ultraprocessed foods, but please don’t replace all your seed oils with tallow — no matter what you hear at a congressional hearing.
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
Nutrition Consensus over Controversy Nutrition topics can feel like a battleground in the media, but with the right context, there’s actually more consensus than controversy. I unpack this and clear up confusion during a recent Mayo Clinic podcast. 🎤: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU_3...
youtube.com
Current Nutritional Controversies- What is the Science Behind the Current Trends in Mainstream Media
YouTube video by Mayo Clinic
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 11/01/2025
Healthy New Year Webinar Excited to join Wellness Wednesday on Jan 15 at 11 AM PT. I’ll share insights on what to eat (and avoid) for better health, plus tackle nutrition misinformation and how diet info can get 'ultra-processed.' Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 11/01/2025
Dietary Guidelines After 2 years, 421 pages, and countless hours, the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee submitted its recommendations. I spoke with @StanfordMedicine “Scope" about the science, politics, and equity shaping what’s on our plates. scopeblog.stanford.edu/2024/12/19/d...
scopeblog.stanford.edu
More beans, peas, lentils: A nutrition expert's take on new guidelines
Americans are not eating well, Stanford Medicine's Christopher Gardner says, but he is hopeful that encouraging patterns of eating — such as the Mediterranean diet — will help us improve our habits.
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
US News & World Report - Best Diets @usnews has just released the #BestDiets ratings for 2025. I am honored to be on the panel reviewing these diets. I offered my expertise in evaluating each of the rated diets in different categories. health.usnews.com/best-diet
health.usnews.com
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
Big news for beans🌱 As part of the '25 US Dietary Advisory Committee, we recommended putting beans, peas, & lentils at the top of MyPlate's protein section instead of meat. Why? They have protein, fiber, and no saturated fat. Small swap, big impact! www.cnn.com/2024/12/12/h...
cnn.com
A lowly vegetable rises to stardom in newly released dietary advisory report | CNN
Beans and legumes now hold a prize spot in a new dietary advisory report, which fails to act on ultraprocessed foods.
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
🎥 Does science stream better on Netflix? Last week I had the honor of presenting at Stanford Medicine's Grand Rounds, where I shared lessons on blending science with pop culture. Curious about the power of science communication? This talk is for you! 🎤 youtu.be/1IfpZhM_o4o?...
youtu.be
"Communicating What to Eat – To Netflix or Not" | 11 December 2024
YouTube video by Stanford Department of Medicine
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
How Diet-Health Misinformation Gets Ultraprocessed: Exposing Hidden Agendas and Distorted Narratives Honored to be part of this discussion. Wednesday Dec 11, noon PST My talk will be: Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee: Industry Influence? Spoiler alert: I'm very IMPRESSED with DGAC process!
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Stanford Medical Grand Rounds This was fun! Weds Dec 11th I got to present at MGR. 8-9 am "Communicating What to Eat: To Netflix of Not" It will be recorded and available later for those who couldn't be there in person.
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Dr Professor Dean Ms Marathon My AMAZING wife, @melissamichelson.bsky.social , just finished her 18th marathon this morning….in Honolulu. Awesome finishing time. Looks fresh as a daisy?! How does she do it! 🤷 Crazy! 🏃🏻‍♀️🏅
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Plant-Protein & Heart Health New research: Eating more plant protein may cut heart disease risk. The key isn't just protein—it's the fiber & lower saturated fat in plant-based options vs. animal proteins. Prioritize fiber & cut sat fat for heart health. www.healthline.com/health-news/...
healthline.com
Heart Disease: Eating More Plant Than Animal Protein May Reduce Risk
Regularly eating more plant-based than animal protein may significantly lower your cardiovascular and coronary heart disease risk.
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Fighting Nutrition Misinformation Join me at @TrueHealthINIT’s online symposium, "How Diet-Health Misinformation Gets Ultraprocessed" on 12/11. Let’s tackle nutrition misinformation & share solutions for a healthier future. 🔗 Agenda + Registration: thi.today/11dec
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
Giving Thanks Great day of family, friends, and delicious food yesterday. All four of our boys are home this weekend. So much to be thankful for…. ….including leftovers! 😋
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
Stanford Food Summit 2024 Pictures and videos are available from our Nov 1st event. Keynote by Doerr School of Sustainability Dean Arun Majumdar, and expert panels on Food and Sustainability and Food is Medicine. Brief write up on the event 👇 med.stanford.edu/foodsummit/n...
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
Brilliant study design - @kevinh-phd.bsky.social Great write-up #SandeeLamotte @cnn.com "Hall and his team ...[are] testing diets with 80% of calories from ultraprocessed foods that are low in energy density and relatively low in hyperpalatable foods." www.cnn.com/2024/11/22/h...
cnn.com
They’re up to 70% of the American diet. But the US has no policy on ultraprocessed foods | CNN
Federal guidance on the pitfalls of ultraprocessed foods, which likely play a key role in the US obesity epidemic, isn’t yet available. Here’s what’s at stake.
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
Who's responsible for chemical additives in food? Thx @anahadoconnor "In many cases, it’s not the FDA that decides if chemical additives are safe to use in food. Instead, it’s the companies that make and sell the products that contain them." washingtonpost.com/wellness/202...
washingtonpost.com
How potentially harmful additives have infiltrated America’s food
A legal loophole allows companies to add new additives into your food without approval from the Food and Drug Administration. The consequences can be dire.
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
The Presidential Pardon for Turkeys - Nonsense Peter Singer shares the history of the President pardoning turkeys at Thanksgiving. Accompanied by many facts. Helpful perspective. www.nytimes.com/2024/11/22/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | President Biden Should End This Turkey Pardoning Nonsense
President Biden should cancel the Thanksgiving tradition of pardoning a turkey.
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
Seed Oil Sanity Thx @alicegcallahan for bringing some sanity to this topic. Important perspectives from Harris (OmegaQuant), Lichtenstein (Tufts), & Decker (UMass Amherst). With what/instead of what? With UPF - not good Instead of butter/lard - better www.nytimes.com/2024/11/09/w...
nytimes.com
Are Seed Oils Actually Bad for You?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and others claim they’re harming our health, but the evidence suggests otherwise.
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Christopher Gardner @cgardnerphd.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
We MUST rely on Science Nutrition is complicated Food additives, ultra-processed foods, & their health impacts are topics of ongoing debate. But when it comes to reshaping America's food system one thing is clear: we MUST rely on science and evidence-based solutions. www.wbur.org/onpoint/2024...
wbur.org
From vaccines to fluoride: How could RFK Jr. reshape American public health?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been picked by Donald Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has been critical of processed food, vaccines, and fluoride in water. What impact cou...
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