You’ll never look at Lunchables the same way again

I don't know about you, but as a kid, I got really excited when I got to have Lunchables…

I loved sliding that little tray out of the yellow box and stacking the crackers, meat, and cheese together. It was the most fun lunch ever! 

But now I know there's a very deliberate, very nefarious reason why kids everywhere beg their parents for them.

A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health just exposed how Lunchables were engineered to be irresistible to children.

Lunchables were actually developed with Philip Morris – the tobacco giant behind Marlboro – who owned Kraft from 1988 to 2007. 

They applied the same research they used to hook smokers to hook your children.

Here's exactly what they did:

• Lunchables were engineered to feel like a toy. Philip Morris built 17 toy-like prototypes and watched children play with their food before they ate it. Their research found that kids wanted control, so they designed the compartments to let children build their own lunch. A child who plays with their food will beg for it again.
  
  
• The box was designed to look like a present. Philip Morris put a gift-like band on the box specifically to make moms feel less guilty about choosing processed food for their kids.

• Philip Morris ran a secret nicotine lab in Germany to hide their addiction research from tobacco regulators. Those same scientists were later used to develop chemical flavors for Low-Fat Lunchables, to make them taste better without the fat. Competitors called their strategy of making harmful products seem healthier "getting the guilt out of the product."

They aren’t the first corporation to use tobacco-industry tactics to engineer their products and addict our children so they can secure lifelong customers. This has happened all across the Big Food industry for decades. 

And now look where we are as a country...skyrocketing sickness, outrageous rates of obesity, and a food system built to keep people hooked instead of healthy. It's disgusting, and people need to know the truth. 

The best way to fight back is to share this information so everyone sees exactly how the food industry has been playing their cards against us. That's when they stop winning.

Please share this on Instagram, Facebook, and X. 

Xo, 

Vani

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Is this hiding in your chair?

We read every food label. Filter the water. Buy organic.

But we sit in the same chair — all day, every day — and never once ask what it's made of.

The EPA found that Americans spend an average of 90% of their time indoors. And the furniture filling those spaces? Almost entirely unregulated.

Most office chairs contain PFAS. The same "forever chemicals" showing up in blood samples worldwide. PFAS coatings wear off within 7 to 9 months, transferring directly onto clothing and into the home.

Most wood-based desks contain formaldehyde…a known carcinogen that off-gasses quietly into the air around you. No warning. No label required.

And that shiny metallic coating on conventional furniture hardware? Often hexavalent chromium — Chrome 6 — the same chemical that's been found at unsafe levels in U.S. drinking water.

A furniture industry executive once defended the lack of ingredient disclosure by saying no one eats furniture.

What they didn't mention: you breathe it. And you touch it.

For years, I've been intentional about this. The chair in my office is from Humanscale. And that wasn't by accident. I've had this chair over 10 years - and I loved it so much, now my husband has one too.

Humanscale was the first company in the furniture industry to publicly disclose what goes into their products. Every ingredient, listed openly. Every product screened against the Living Building Challenge Red List, which is a registry of the most harmful chemicals in use today.

Here's what they've eliminated entirely:

• PFAS — removed from all products
• Hexavalent chromium (Chrome 6) — replaced across the supply chain
• Formaldehyde — the only furniture manufacturer to remove it from all tabletops
• PVC — eliminated completely
• Flame retardants and antimicrobial chemicals — gone

They don't just clean up what they can see. Humanscale traces materials back through the entire supply chain until they have the full recipe for every component. 

When they find something harmful, they fix it. In one case, they convinced a supplier to switch coatings entirely which meant the change rippled out to every other product that supplier makes.

Now that’s accountability.

Humanscale also holds B Corp certification. The only major US brand in the commercial furniture industry to earn it. 

In partnership alongside Patagonia, they launched an initiative to collect and transform discarded fishing nets into plastic pellets, which are then used in their Ocean chairs: Liberty Ocean, Smart Ocean, Freedom Ocean, and Path.

But maybe my favorite part? The chair’s design. Most office chairs require operating a series of controls just to recline. Humanscale engineered those controls out entirely, using your body weight and physics to move with you automatically. More movement. Better circulation. Less pain over time.

I notice the difference after a long day of work.

I love this company, and I am so happy that when my team asked for a discount for this community, they said yes!

For the next 48 hours, the Food Babe community saves 20% OFF Humanscale with code FOODBABE at checkout.

Shop Humanscale here →

Xo, 

Vani

P.S. Humanscale makes up only 4% of furniture industry revenue, yet accounts for over 38% of all publicly disclosed ingredient labels across the entire industry. That number tells you everything about what everyone else is hiding.

P.P.S. At Food Babe, we only promote products we love and use ourselves. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn a commission.

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Don’t fall for these BS food labels

I was at the grocery store and saw a "GLP-1 Friendly" label on a meal in the freezer section…and stopped dead in my tracks.

Have you seen it too? 

With millions of Americans now taking Ozempic and Wegovy (GLP-1 drugs), food companies obviously see a huge marketing opportunity and are taking full advantage of it. 

I anticipate that you’re going to start seeing this label popping up all over products in the grocery store, and you need to know the truth.

The “GLP-1 Friendly” label is just a marketing trick. There are no official rules in the U.S. for what it actually means, and this kind of misleading packaging is banned in Europe.

It essentially means nothing, and food companies are using it to sell you the same junk with a new twist to get your attention.

Healthy Choice literally admitted they slapped this label on 26 of their existing frozen meals and made no changes to them.

But honestly, it's not much different from labels we've been seeing on food packages for years.

Here are some more BS food labels to watch out for…

"Natural": There’s no legal definition for this word for food packaging. Companies can use it on highly processed products full of GMOs, high fructose corn syrup, and preservatives. It exists purely as a marketing tactic.

"No Added Hormones" on poultry or pork: The government already prohibits hormones in all chicken, turkey, and pork raised in the US. So, when you see this label, the company is simply advertising that they follow the law.

"Made with Real Fruit": This could mean a tiny amount of fruit – often concentrated juice that's been heavily processed into a syrup, without the nutrients and fiber naturally found in real fruit. 

"Zero Sugar": This has become a codeword for "we replaced sugar with something ultraprocessed". Often artificial sweeteners linked to cancer, or sugar alcohols like maltitol that are notorious for causing bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

"Low Fat" / "Fat Free": When companies remove fat, they replace it with sugar, refined carbs, or artificial additives. You end up with something that spikes your blood sugar and leaves you hungrier than before.

See the full breakdown of BS food labels and share it with someone who needs to know: CLICK HERE

And one more thing to watch for…

You've probably seen claims like "may reduce the risk of heart disease" or "can help lower cholesterol" on products like Quaker Oats or Cheerios. 

This basically means the FDA agreed that oats can help lower cholesterol. It means nothing about the processed ingredients or chemicals that are in the product that could actually make it unhealthy.

Independent lab testing has found Roundup weed killer residues (glyphosate) in several products on the shelf, including Quaker and Cheerios. This weed killer has been linked to cancer, yet it's ending up in our food primarily because it gets sprayed on conventional food crops right before harvest.

Just yesterday, Texas opened an investigation into Bayer – the maker of Roundup – and the food companies who are making misleading health claims on products with known high levels of glyphosate residue. 

It's the first investigation of its kind in the country, and I hope it's not the last.

Please share this good news here. 

And always remember…

The most important label on any food package is always the ingredient list. 

Don’t let Big Food sway you with dirty tactics designed to manipulate you into buying ultra-processed products full of manmade chemicals.

Xo, 

Vani

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What's actually in your sunscreen?

I've been trying a new sunscreen.

After spending years telling you what to avoid, it's rare that I find something I can actually get behind without hesitation.

But before I tell you what's in it, let me tell you what's in the sunscreen most people are using every single day.

Conventional sunscreen. The ingredients they don't highlight:

Most chemical sunscreens use oxybenzone and octinoxate as their active ingredients.

Here's the problem.

Oxybenzone is a known hormone disruptor. It mimics estrogen in the body and has been detected in blood, urine, and breast milk within hours of application.

Octinoxate does the same thing. It's been found to penetrate the skin rapidly and has been linked to thyroid disruption in animal studies.

These aren't obscure concerns. The FDA itself acknowledged that these ingredients are absorbed into the bloodstream at levels that exceed their safety threshold. And called for more testing.

The FDA required manufacturers to provide that safety data. Years later, it still hasn't been submitted.

So what are we supposed to use instead?

This is what I've been looking for. And I found it with Active Skin Repair.

Here's what's actually inside:

No oxybenzone. No octinoxate. No parabens. No phthalates. No synthetic fragrances.

The active ingredient is non-nano zinc oxide, a mineral that sits on top of the skin and physically blocks UV rays rather than absorbing into your body.

And the formula doesn't stop there. It's packed with ingredients that actually support your skin while it protects it:

Aloe, Jojoba Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide to hydrate and support the skin barrier.

The Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 is broad-spectrum, non-greasy, and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Good for the whole family, face and body.

It is also reef-safe and HSA/FSA eligible.

I used the sunscreen while traveling recently and the texture is genuinely lightweight. Nothing like the thick, white-cast mineral sunscreens I'd tried before.

Use code FOODBABE to save 20% OFF at checkout.

Shop Active Skin Repair Sunscreen →

Xo, 

Vani

P.S. We spend a lot of effort reading food labels. Sunscreen goes on your skin every time you're outside. It deserves the same scrutiny. Check the label on what you're currently using. If you see oxybenzone or octinoxate, this is a good swap.

P.P.S. At Food Babe, we only promote products we love to use. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn commission.

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Big win! Burger King publishes ingredients

Did you know restaurants are not required to disclose their ingredients? And many won't even tell you if you ask. 

It’s maddening because knowing what's actually in our food is the most important thing to know if we want to improve our health.

Thankfully, most major fast food chains like McDonald's, Taco Bell, and Wendy's do publish their ingredients on their websites...

But Burger King – the third most popular fast food burger chain in America – has been a holdout for years, keeping the public in the dark about what’s really in their food.

This is why the Food Babe Army has been asking them to list their ingredients online like every other major fast food chain does… 

And guess what?

THEY FINALLY DID IT.

Burger King recently published their ingredients on their website with zero announcement. And now we know why they have been keeping them under wraps.

Beware of these ingredients at BK:

VEGETABLE OILS: This includes seed oils like canola oil, cottonseed oil, and soybean oil — which lead to chronic inflammation in the body. These oils are processed to DEATH, with chemical solvents, steamers, neutralizers, de-waxers, bleach and deodorizers.

HYDROGENATED OILS: Intensely processed at high temperatures with chemicals to transform them into clear, bland, and odorless products. Small amounts of trans fat are formed during the intense processing. Trans fats are strongly linked to heart disease and increased heart attack risk, even in small amounts.

MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES: Industrial emulsifier made from processed seed oils like soybean, canola, or hydrogenated oils. Often contains hidden trans fats that don't have to be listed on the label — and trans fats are linked to heart disease and inflammation.

DATEM: A dough strengthener that can contain hidden industrial trans fats, strongly linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

CALCIUM PEROXIDE: This bleaching agent and dough conditioner is banned in foreign countries including China, and also from some natural food stores like Whole Foods.

POTASSIUM IODATE: Dough conditioner not approved in Europe. High-dose lab studies show oxidative cell damage, and too much iodine from it can disrupt thyroid function.

NATURAL FLAVORS: Essentially the exact same thing as artificial flavor, but derived from substances found in nature. Proprietary mixtures contain preservatives, emulsifiers, solvents and other additives such as sodium benzoate, glycerin, potassium sorbate, and propylene glycol — none of which are labeled.

DIMETHYLPOLYSILOXANE: A silicone added to restaurant fryers as an anti-foaming agent — and it is the same material used to make Silly Putty, caulking, and silicone breast implants.

See more Burger King ingredients here! 

The good news? We now know the truth. 

Don’t keep this to yourself!

Share this with anyone you know who eats at Burger King – because everyone should know what they're really eating.

Xo, 

Vani

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P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231
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Major ingredient changes at one of my favorite grocery stores!

I have an exciting announcement from one of my favorite grocery stores! 

Watch my reaction here on Instagram and Facebook.

You can also watch it on youtube here.

Please share this news so we can spread the word and show every other retailer in America that this is what people want. The more noise we make, the faster change happens:

Thank YOU and everyone in the Food Babe Army for leading this change.

Xo,

Vani

P.S. While you're at this store, don't forget to grab some Truvani — our collagen, organic bars, and organic plant-based and whey protein are all available there!

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Nachos recipe! This will surprise you.

Everyone says nachos are junk food. And honestly? With the ingredients in most nachos, that reputation is deserved.

Chips fried in refined seed oils. Pre-shredded cheese with cellulose and anti-caking agents. Taco seasoning packets loaded with MSG, maltodextrin, and natural flavors. Sour cream from cows raised on GMO feed.

But here's what I've always believed: it's all about the ingredients.

Nachos made with the right ingredients? Totally different story.

I'm talking organic corn tortilla chips topped with real shredded cheddar, a homemade taco seasoning that takes two minutes to mix, fresh salsa, avocado, and cilantro – all clean ingredients, nothing fake.

And the pan matters too.

Most conventional sheet pans have the same non-stick coatings you'd find on a skillet. The kind that breaks down at high heat and leaches directly into your food. That's the last thing you want! 

It's why I use the 360 Cookware Jelly Roll Pan in my kitchen.

Surgical-grade stainless steel. Zero PFAS, PTFE, or aluminum touching your food. Even heat across the entire pan. Which means cheese that melts perfectly from edge to edge, every time.

And right now, this is my go to recipe:

Sheet Pan Party Nachos →

10 minutes of prep. 10 minutes in the oven. Feeds a crowd.

It's the kind of dish I can put on the table without thinking twice about what's in it. Because I chose every single ingredient myself.

That's what clean eating actually looks like.

Get the 360 Cookware Jelly Roll Pan here →

Use code FOODBABE at checkout for 25% off.

Xo,

Vani

P.S. The Jelly Roll Pan is one of the most-used pieces in my kitchen. Once you have it, you'll wonder what took you so long.

P.S.S. At Food Babe, we only promote products we love to use. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn a commission.

Manage Preferences | Privacy Policy

Our mailing address is:
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USA

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