On Point | Podcast

Should SNAP pay for junk food?

Aug 14, 2025
Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and director at Tufts University's Food is Medicine Institute, and Kate Bauer, an associate professor at the University of Michigan, engage in a lively discussion on recent state bans of sugary drinks in SNAP. They explore how such restrictions may influence healthier choices among low-income families and the broader implications for public health. The conversation dives into the historical context of SNAP, the nutritional challenges faced by participants, and innovative reforms needed to promote better dietary habits, addressing both food accessibility and stigma.
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INSIGHT

Scale And Stakes Of SNAP

  • SNAP serves over 41 million people monthly and averaged $187 per person in 2024.
  • Proposed policy changes and CBO estimates could cut benefits for millions and worsen food security.
INSIGHT

Junk Food Makes A Big Share Of SNAP Buys

  • Sugary drinks, candy, desserts and salty snacks make up about 23% of SNAP purchases.
  • Several states granted waivers plan to ban sodas and other sweets starting in 2026.
INSIGHT

Diet Drives Major Disease Burden

  • Poor nutrition is a leading driver of heart disease and diabetes in the U.S.
  • Mozaffarian links sugary beverages and junk food to large, measurable disease burdens across populations.
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