MAHA

MAHA, or “Make America Healthy Again,” is a political and public-health movement associated with Robert F. Kennedy Jr that grew out of the anti-vaccine movement. It argues that chronic disease is driven partly by diet, environmental exposures, and the food system, and advocates changes to food, agricultural, chemical, and health policy.

No. Evidence does not show that seed oils–which are fats extracted from plant seeds, including canola, soybean, and sunflower–are inherently harmful. Seed oils contain unsaturated fats and when replacing saturated fats, they can support heart health. Like any calorie-dense food, however, excessive consumption can contribute to an unhealthy diet.

There is no official “MAHA diet,” but the movement generally promotes whole foods, meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables while discouraging ultra-processed foods, added sugars, and some food additives. Some MAHA advocates also encourage eating organic and avoiding seed oils, although evidence that seed oils are inherently harmful is weak.

Both MAHA and left-leaning food advocates target corporate food systems. Traditional progressive food movements often focus on government regulation, corporate oversight, and structural access, whereas MAHA leans heavily on individual responsibility and lifestyle choices and tends to embrace alternative wellness positions.