The Business of Wellness

In this episode of The Business of Wellness with Jaclyn London, RD, Chris Choi, CEO of Mom's Meals, joins the show to discuss food as medicine, the intersection of food and healthcare, and the importance of nutrition in medical treatment and chronic disease prevention. He explains the mission of Mom's Meals, which provides medically tailored meals to individuals across the country, and the challenges faced in delivering these services. The conversation delves into the concept of food as medicine, the process of meal delivery, and the significance of medical nutrition therapy. Chris also addresses the controversy surrounding food processing and the need for a nuanced understanding of nutrition in the media. The episode concludes with a look at the future of food as medicine and the innovations that can enhance access to nutritious meals.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Food as Medicine01:53 The Mission of Mom's Meals03:33 Understanding Food as Medicine07:15 The Process of Signing Up for Mom's Meals08:57 Medically Tailored Meals Explained10:49 Balancing Nutrition and Culinary Appeal14:24 Navigating Cost and Accessibility15:50 Addressing Diverse Needs in Nutrition17:35 Impact on Health Outcomes and Policy Change20:41 Controversy and Public Perception23:58 The Surreal Experience of a High-Profile Visit27:44 Navigating Criticism and the Importance of Dialogue29:09 Understanding Ultra-Processed Foods and Nutrition34:07 The Nuance of Food Processing and Safety36:30 Inspiration from the Food as Medicine Movement38:47 Collaboration for Policy Change in Nutrition40:47 The Role of Technology in Nutrition Support43:30 Future Goals for Mom's Meals and Maternal HealthKeywords: food as medicine, nutrition, health, Mom's Meals, medically tailored meals, healthcare, diet, wellness, chronic disease, food policyConnect with Jaclyn London, RDSubscribe to The Business of Wellness with Jaclyn London, RD on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeFollow @jaclynlondonrd on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok & XGet Jaclyn's Book, Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked) on Amazon & Audible Support The Business of Wellness by sharing this episode and leave a 5-star rating & reviewVisit jaclynlondonrd.com to learn moreAbout Jaclyn London, RDJaclyn (Jackie) London is a Registered Dietitian (RD), New York State Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist (CDN), author, nutrition consultant, podcast host, and media spokesperson. She’s best known for her nutrition myth-busting content on social media & through her book, Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked). She’s previously held leadership roles at consumer brands (Head of Nutrition & Wellness at Weight Watchers; Nutrition Director at Good Housekeeping), & brings her extensive experience in research, clinical nutrition, private practice, media & the corporate world to her relentless pursuit of building practical, accessible & science-based nutrition and wellness solutions that help consumers live healthier lives.

This week on The Business of Wellness, I’m joined by Stevi Gable Carr, Founder & CEO of WISe Wellness Guild, to talk all things CPG wellness branding — what works, what doesn’t, and what it actually takes to create real impact in this space.Stevi shares how WISe has become a trusted partner to brands like Kroger and P&G, helping them go beyond the buzzwords to build community, credibility, and meaningful engagement through wellness. From brand strategy and consumer insights to storytelling that resonates (and doesn’t just ride a trend), this conversation is packed with insights for anyone building—or rethinking—a wellness brand in 2025.We also talk about WellNXT, the national movement Stevi co-founded to bring wellness back to real life through in-person events and connection-first activations.If you work in brand marketing, consumer goods, wellness, or media—or you're just trying to cut through the noise—this one’s for you.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction to Wellness and Personal Journey02:47 The Intersection of Brand and Product05:50 Fear-Driven Marketing and Consumerism09:04 The Fundamentals of Wellness12:03 The Audacity to Live by Your Design15:06 Navigating Leadership and Expectations17:53 The Importance of Prioritization21:00 The Three Rs of Resilience23:51 Relighting Your Spark27:04 Current Trends in the Wellness Landscape36:18 The Seed Oil Debate and Market Responses37:13 Brand Strategies: Unilever vs. PepsiCo40:13 Building Trust in Wellness Brands41:49 Retailers and Consumer Accountability44:21 The Role of Community in Wellness47:12 Tailoring Wellness to Community Needs51:30 Generational Differences in Wellness Needs56:09 The Intersection of Wellness and Arts01:02:20 Starting a Wellness Brand: Key ConsiderationsKeywords:wellness, branding, marketing, resilience, leadership, consumerism, self-care, health, personal development, strategy, seed oils, wellness brands, Unilever, PepsiCo, consumer trust, community wellness, generational wellness, arts and wellness, wellness brand strategy, optimization in wellnessGrab a copy of Cracking the Rich Code & learn more about Stevi here.Connect with Jaclyn London, RDSubscribe to The Business of Wellness with Jaclyn London, RD on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeFollow @jaclynlondonrd on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok & XGet Jaclyn's Book, Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked) on Amazon & Audible Support The Business of Wellness by sharing this episode and leave a 5-star rating & reviewVisit jaclynlondonrd.com to learn moreAbout Jaclyn London, RDJaclyn (Jackie) London is a Registered Dietitian (RD), New York State Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist (CDN), author, nutrition consultant, podcast host, and media spokesperson. She’s best known for her nutrition myth-busting content on social media & through her book, Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked). She’s previously held leadership roles at consumer brands (Head of Nutrition & Wellness at Weight Watchers; Nutrition Director at Good Housekeeping), & brings her extensive experience in research, clinical nutrition, private practice, media & the corporate world to her relentless pursuit of building practical, accessible & science-based nutrition and wellness solutions that help consumers live healthier lives.

In this episode of The Business of Wellness, Jaclyn London, RD breaks down everything from Expo West 2025—the biggest trade show in natural and functional foods. From the latest wellness trends (dragon fruit, GLP-1 marketing, and caffeine + protein combos) to behind-the-scenes industry buzz (the influence of MAHA, the show's winners and losers) and updates to the FDA's proposed Front-of-Pack Nutrition Label (FOPNL), I’m giving you behind-the-scenes intel on the nutrition news you need to know about, the brands to keep an eye on, and the influencers and policy changes that are shaping the food industry today.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The top 13 trends shaping food and beverage in 2025The truth about front-of-pack nutrition labeling and why it’s (likely to be) a waste of time & resources Regenerative Agriculture Certified and the status of sustainability claimsHow brands are marketing to GLP-1 users—and why some of it is just hypeThe rise of dates, pulses, electrolytes, tropical fruit, protein everything, and more prebiotic sparkling watersWhy single-serve snacks and aluminum cans are taking over grocery aislesThe wildest moments from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) panel and what it means for the future of food policyTimestamps00:00 Introduction to the Business of Wellness01:48 Expo West 2025 overview03:00 Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling panel & proposed policy12:51 Trends from Expo West 2025 - 13 trends to watch in wellness, CPG food & beverage; dietary supplements & personal care.21:52 Emerging ingredients and innovations29:43 The future of food marketing30:13 The nutritional value of dates33:03 Mochi mania: The new snack trend36:07 Mood and morality themes in food & beverage branding39:40 The rise of pulses and legumes42:46 Raw honey: A functional food rebrand44:30 Plant-based vs. animal-based products47:28 The Gell-Mann Amnesia Effect in nutrition media49:00 MAHA Updates: The MAHA panel, behind-the-scenes insights, updates in the RFK Jr. Agenda & the food industry's response thus far59:26 Expo West recap and closing thoughtsConnect with Jaclyn London, RDSubscribe to The Business of Wellness with Jaclyn London, RD on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeFollow @jaclynlondonrd on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok & XGet Jaclyn's Book, Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked) on Amazon & Audible Support The Business of Wellness by sharing this episode and leave a 5-star rating & reviewVisit jaclynlondonrd.com to learn moreAbout Jaclyn London, RDJaclyn (Jackie) London is a Registered Dietitian (RD), New York State Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist (CDN), author, nutrition consultant, podcast host, and media spokesperson. She’s best known for her nutrition myth-busting content on social media & through her book, Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked). She’s previously held leadership roles at consumer brands (Head of Nutrition & Wellness at Weight Watchers; Nutrition Director at Good Housekeeping), & brings her extensive experience in research, clinical nutrition, private practice, media & the corporate world to her relentless pursuit of building practical, accessible & science-based nutrition and wellness solutions that help consumers live healthier lives.

In this episode of The Business of Wellness with Jaclyn London, RD, Jaclyn takes a deep dive into Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Senate confirmation hearings for Secretary of Health and the missed opportunities in addressing America's nutrition crisis. She breaks down why sweeping federal regulations and RFK Jr.'s proposed health strategies ultimately miss the mark—and what real solutions should look like. Jaclyn then outlines five game-changing policies that could fix America's food system and improve public health: Integrating cooking education in schools to improve nutrition literacy from an early age. Reforming the Farm Bill to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Incentivizing restaurants and food service to reduce excessive added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. Strengthening marketing regulations for foods targeting kids and parents. Ensuring insurance coverage for nutrition counseling by Registered Dietitians to make evidence-based nutrition guidance accessible to all. She also discusses the power of transparency in the food industry, how deregulatory policies can shift incentives, and why bipartisan support is achievable for smart nutrition reform. If you’ve ever wondered what real food policy reform should look like, this episode is a must-listen. Timestamps: 02:58 - Five Key Policies to Improve Public Health 05:48 - Why Cooking Education in Schools is Essential 09:06 - Reforming the Farm Bill for Better Food Access 12:10 - Strengthening Marketing Regulations for Kids’ Food 14:58 - How Local Agriculture Can Improve Community Health 18:07 - Combating Misleading Food Marketing 20:53 - Simplifying Food Labels for Consumer Clarity 24:21 - Innovative Strategies in the Produce Aisle 30:13 - The Need for Insurance Coverage for Nutrition Counseling 37:32 - The Best Strategies for a Healthier America 46:22 - Final Thoughts & Call to Action Follow Jaclyn London, RD: Instagram X (formerly Twitter) LinkedIn Follow The Business of Wellness on All Podcast Platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts YouTube 📖 Get Jaclyn's Book, Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked) → Amazon 🎙 Support The Business of Wellness by sharing this episode and leave a 5-star rating & review

In the Season 3 premiere of The Business of Wellness, host Jaclyn London, MS, RD, dives deep into the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, spearheaded by RFK Jr., nominee for Secretary of Health. With her unique expertise as a registered dietitian, consultant, and author, Jaclyn unpacks the promises, pitfalls, and scientific inaccuracies in MAHA’s approach to food, nutrition, and public health. Jaclyn brings her professional insight into the broader systemic issues behind America’s rising rates of chronic disease and why focusing on food additives, seed oils, and GMO crops distracts from meaningful public health solutions. She also explores how media narratives, wellness influencers, and Washington’s incentive structure fuel confusion about food and health. In this episode, Jaclyn breaks down: The MAHA movement’s stated goals, including transparency in food production, promoting regenerative agriculture, and reforming the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The science (or lack thereof) behind claims about artificial food dyes, glyphosate, seed oils, and ultra-processed foods. Why removing artificial ingredients from products won’t solve America’s public health crisis. Free-market, bipartisan approaches to solving America's health crisis  Listen to Learn: What MAHA’s critiques of Big Food and Big Pharma get right—and wrong—about food and health. Why food additives, seed oils, and GMO crops are NOT the root causes of America’s chronic disease crisis (and where to look instead...) How media, Big Tech, Big Wellness, and policy incentives create confusion about food and nutrition. Evidence-based, free-market solutions to improve health that could gain bipartisan support. The critical role of dietitians and practitioners in connecting science, policy, and consumer behavior. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro to Season 3 and RFK Jr.’s MAHA Movement 04:57 – Behind RFK Jr.’s nutrition philosophy and Jaclyn’s unique perspective 11:31 – MAHA’s goals: Transparency, Big Food, and Dietary Guidelines reform 20:31 – Where concerns about food additives come from 28:32 – Individual experiences vs. public health science 31:11 – The erosion of trust in public health institutions and food safety 38:14 – Global nutrition policy vs. America’s food culture 45:09 – Big Tech, Big Wellness, and their role in public health narratives 54:10 – What’s wrong with the Dietary Guidelines vs. the Advisory Committee 01:00:50 – Who should profit from helping Americans get healthier? About Jaclyn London, MS, RD: Jaclyn London is a registered dietitian, author of Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked), and host of The Business of Wellness. As a consultant and media expert, Jaclyn helps brands, investors & policymakers to build practical, science-based strategies to help consumers live healthier lives. Follow The Business of Wellness on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for more evidence-based insights into the intersection of nutrition, business, culture,  and public health Rate, review & share your questions about & topic suggestions on MAHA for future episodes. Connect w/  @jaclynlondonrd on Instagram