#222 - Sugar, Soda, and Society: Insider Insights into Coca-Cola, the Metabolic Health Crisis, and Systemic Missteps | Calley Means & Dr. Casey Means

The United States government subsidizes ultra-processed foods and sugar, and the healthcare system focuses on treating diseases rather than preventing them. These issues are harming kids’ health and leading to crisis-level rates of prediabetes and diabetes in both adults and children. Siblings Calley Means and Casey Means discuss problems with the food industry, government funding, and healthcare, and they propose possible solutions, while also offering suggestions for parents wanting to set their kids up for better metabolic health right now.

🎙 What Calley Means & Casey Means, MD, discuss:

(4:01) — Kids are developing prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes at alarming rates

(5:33) — The government subsidizes ultra-processed foods

(13:05) — Ultra-processed food companies incentivize trusted institutions

(21:48) — We only get one life to live

(25:42) — The metabolic health crisis is problematic for the economy

(27:09) — Giving kids ultra-processed foods sets them up for metabolic health issues

(36:48) — Three ingredients make up the problematic foundation of ultra-processed foods

(42:49) — Parents have a lot of control over what their kids eat—especially when they’re young

(46:49) —You can’t control other adults in your family

(1:02:59) — The healthcare industry isn’t incentivized in the correct ways

(1:07:54) — Calley Means describes, TruMed, his tech startup

Transcripts & Show notes

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🔗 Helpful links:

Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/pIUwZb2jfco

Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1

📲 Connect:

Connect with Calley Means on Instagram: https://instagram.com/calleymeans

Connect with Calley Means on Twitter: https://twitter.com/calleymeans

Connect with Calley Means on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calley-means-a29b5512/