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Donald Trump and Kamala Harris’ wildly different diets may change how voters see them, doctor says
Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harriss reported eating habits offer more than just a glimpse into their lifestyles, says gastroenterologist Dr Partha Nandi. They also become part of their public personas and assist or inhibit their efforts to connect with voters.
Realistically, we dont know what Trump and Harris eat on a daily basis. The glimpses we have into their diets are likely the result of careful planning by campaign teams. But if nothing else, these little windows tell us something about what the two rivals want us to think about them, which is in itself an interesting thing. Heres what Dr Nandi had to say on the subject of how Trump and Harris connect to voters through diet. Below is one example of how Trump has connected with his!
Kamala Harris prioritizes health but enjoys lifes pleasures without guilt
In a 2020 interview with Barack Obama, Harris said she works out every morning, regardless of how much sleep Ive had. We dont know what exactly this workout entails, or if she still does it, or if its the same every day.
But she was insistent, at the time, that its the best way to start the day.
In an earlier interview with Elle, she said working out is about your mind as much as your body. It gets your blood flowing. It gets your adrenaline flowing. [&] You got to take care of yourself. If I exercise or I eat proper foods, am I indulging myself? That’s called feeding your body& that is not about image or luxury.”
Dr Nandi sees in this an acknowledgment of the mind-body connection. Her breakfast choice (Raisin Bran with almond milk, at least once upon a time) suggests a higher fiber, nutrient-dense start to the day. Better options exist, Dr Nandi says, since Raisin Bran has added sugar and artificial ingredients.
However, the context in which she consumes [processed foods] matters. Her emphasis on daily exercise indicates an awareness of the importance of a balanced lifestyle. She likely starts the day with relatively stable blood sugar levels, which will have a positive impact on energy and cognitive function throughout the day.
Harris also loves to cook and once shared a series called Cooking With Kamala on YouTube, in which she made a range of dishes from a tuna sandwich to the South Indian delicacy Masala Dosa. Like anyone, she obviously enjoys the odd sweet treat in moderation, also cooking some monster cookies and bacon-fried apples.
By contrast, Donald Trump is the fast-food aficionado
House and Garden has collected much of the available information on Trumps eating habits.
From having his aides maintain a huge stock of Diet Coke for him to quaff during breaks on press tours to claims that doctors have resorted to sneaking [him] vegetables to get him to consume some fresh produce, commentators have made much of his perceived penchant for unhealthy foods.
Dr Nandi says his widely publicized diet often reads like a fast-food lovers dream, and draws attention to references to quarter pounders, KFC buckets, Big Macs, Filet-O-Fish sandwiches, and chocolate shakes. Also to claims that he regularly skips breakfast and sometimes even lunch, opting for a single large meal that can top over 2,400 calories.
From a nutritional standpoint, this kind of diet raises several red flags, Dr Nandi says. Fast food is notoriously high in unhealthy fats, sodium, and processed carbohydrates, which can contribute to long-term health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, and metabolic disorders.
Going 14-16 hours without eating may resemble intermittent fasting, but consuming a massive meal of little nutritional value at the end of it undermines any potential benefits.
Consuming such large amounts of high-calorie, low-nutrient, highly processed food in one sitting puts a strain on the digestive system and can result in poor gut health and lead to issues like acid reflux, blood sugar spikes, and weight gain.
Does food matter with voters?
In terms of public perception, Dr Nandi says Harriss diet reflects a blend of discipline and relatability. This may or may not be carefully planned.
She isn’t trying to portray herself as a health saint. She has a sweet tooth and enjoys comfort foods, just like many Americans. But her routine suggests a more mindful approach to health a combination of exercise, balanced meals, and occasional indulgences. She and her campaign team have constructed (or reflected) a persona that prioritizes health but also enjoys lifes simple pleasures without guilt.
Trumps dietary choices, on the other hand, align with his public persona of being a no-nonsense, every man type of leader.
His (or his campaign teams) focus is on simplicity and a disdain for the pomp and circumstance of traditional political rituals, exemplified by Trump famously saying state dinners should be replaced with eating a hamburger on a conference table.
He once ordered 300 hamburgers for a White House banquet, according to The Independent.
Dr Nandi suggests that voters might see Trumps eating habits as relatable, seeing in them a rejection of elitism : It sends a message that he’s just like many Americans who find themselves relying on fast food due to its convenience and familiarity.
Ultimately, the everyday dietary choices of presidential candidates are a mystery. However, what we do see from the outside offers an insight into the messages they want to send to voters, Dr Nandi says.
Whether you resonate more with the everyman simplicity of Trump’s diet or the more balanced, health-conscious approach of Harris, its clear that what we eat and how we talk about it can have a profound impact on how we connect with others.
Partha Nandi, MD FACP, is a gastroenterologist, clinical associate professor of medicine at Michigan State University, and author of Heal Your Gut, Save Your Brain.
