Friday, 7 August 2026

Latest from Food Politics: Weekend reading: Sustainable Development Goals progress (or lack thereof)

I am totally for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2015, they set targets for the betterment of global populations, to be achieved by 2030. The targets were ambitious from the get go, but it’s a global tragedy that so little has been ...
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By Marion Nestle

Weekend reading: Sustainable Development Goals progress (or lack thereof)

I am totally for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2015, they set targets for the betterment of global populations, to be achieved by 2030.

The targets were ambitious from the get go, but it’s a global tragedy that so little has been achieved.  Here’s the summary.

This report is especially thoughtful, not surprising given its authors.  They would like the report cited as:

Sachs, J.D., Lafortune, G., Fuller, G., Iablonovski, G. (2026). Implementing Sustainable Development: 2030 and Beyond.
Sustainable Development Report 2026. Paris: SDSN, Dublin: Dublin University Press. DOI: 20.500.14765/118015

The report stresses the need for implementation.

…the SDGs constitute the most comprehensive moral and political commitment the international community has ever made – to end
extreme poverty, ensure quality education, secure good health, achieve gender equality, decarbonize energy systems, protect oceans and forests, build sustainable cities, and make peace within and among nations.

The goals are highly ambitious and will not be achieved by the target date of 2030. ..They should remain our framework past 2030 because they define the future we want and need, even if our efforts to build that future have not yet reached the breadth, scale, and speed that the world’s governments pledged in 2015.

It lists the lessons:

  1. Peace is the foundation of every Goal.
  2. The SDGs are about transformation, not business as usual.
  3. Transformations require long-term investments.
  4. Long-term investments require long-term plans.
  5. The scale of action is regional and local, not only national.
  6. Finance is decisive – global public goods require global finance
  7. Dangerous technologies require global governance.
  8. The UN must be for all – and that means on all continents.

As for what comes next?

First, anchor the agenda in peace and human rights. Stop the wars, restore the UN Charter’s dispute-resolution mechanisms and redirect a meaningful share of military expenditure toward human development.

If only.

I’m inspired by the SDGs, imperfect as they may be (I’ve written about their strengths, gaps, and progress many times).  And I very much believe in the value of setting unrealistic goals in public health; they define aspirations, and set advocacy agendas, and sometimes they can even be achieved.

I want everyone to advocate for this report’s what comes next.

  • Peace
  • Human rights
  • Some military spending redirected to human development

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Arriving Sept 8. For a 30% discount, pre-order here using code UCPSAVE30.

The post Weekend reading: Sustainable Development Goals progress (or lack thereof) appeared first on Food Politics by Marion Nestle

     

Now Available: What to Eat Now

My new book, What to Eat Now, is officially out!

It's both a field guide to food shopping in America and a reflection on how to eat well—and deliciously.

For more information and to order, click here.

You can explore the full archive of this (almost) daily blog at foodpolitics.comwhere you'll also find information about my books, articles, media interviews, upcoming lectures, favorite resources, and FAQs.


​​​​​​​

Marion Nestle

Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, Emerita


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Thursday, 6 August 2026

Latest from Food Politics: The hyper-marketing of protein, continued

Most people who eat enough calories get more than enough of the protein they need, so the current protein craze—putting pea, whey, and tofu into everything—doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. It does sell products though. It’s hard to choose from ...
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By Marion Nestle

The hyper-marketing of protein, continued

Most people who eat enough calories get more than enough of the protein they need, so the current protein craze—putting pea, whey, and tofu into everything—doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

It does sell products though.

It’s hard to choose from among the most entertaining protein-supplemented products.

But this remains my current favorite.

We can—and should—ask: How Sound Is Broad Advice to Simply “Eat More Protein?”

Protein has become the centerpiece of popular nutrition advice. Grocery store shelves are lined with protein-enhanced everything. Social media influencers urge us to squeeze more protein into every meal. And now the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is offering broad advice: simply eat more protein.

And look at the effects of this trend:

America’s Protein Boom Is Outgrowing Its Supply: Demand for whey is soaring as more Americans seek out high-protein foods and GLP-1 medications reshape eating habits. Why can’t manufacturers simply make more?

And the USDA says Animal protein continues to be plentiful for U.S. consumers.

They don’t include dairy on this chart and I have not seen a similar one for plant proteins, but plenty of those are available too.

I wish everyone would stop worrying about protein.  It’s not a nutritional issue; it’s a marketing issue.

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Arriving Sept 8. For a 30% discount, pre-order here using code UCPSAVE30.

 

The post The hyper-marketing of protein, continued appeared first on Food Politics by Marion Nestle

Now Available: What to Eat Now

My new book, What to Eat Now, is officially out!

It's both a field guide to food shopping in America and a reflection on how to eat well—and deliciously.

For more information and to order, click here.

You can explore the full archive of this (almost) daily blog at foodpolitics.comwhere you'll also find information about my books, articles, media interviews, upcoming lectures, favorite resources, and FAQs.


​​​​​​​

Marion Nestle

Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, Emerita


© Marion Nestle. You're receiving this email because you've signed up to receive updates from us.

If you'd prefer not to receive updates, you can unsubscribe.


Latest from Food Politics: Weekend reading: Sustainable Development Goals progress (or lack thereof)

I am totally for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2015, they set targets for the betterment of global populations, to be ...