Christopher Gardner

Stanford Nutrition Scientist since 1993. Human nutrition. Food systems. Stealth nutrition. Father of 4 boys. Husband of @DrMichelsonPhD

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

After 17 yrs teaching Human Nutrition I collaborated with @Stanford & @GetSmarter to create on-line Nutrition Science course

8 wk course, 8-10 hrs/wk
Guidelines/Evidence/Carbs/Fats/Proteins/Calories/Vit’s/Min’s/Controversies/+

Plz share w/ wild abandon
https://t.co/nJp2XDsPp3

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

Must-read @bmj_latest editorial by @marionnestle on new Dietary Guidelines

When transparency + scientific consensus take a backseat, public health is at risk. How policy is made and communicated matters, especially when it shapes the health of millions.

https://t.co/jyEHlB7Mt2

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

Consensus & Confusion

While the '25–'30 Dietary Guidelines repeat familiar messages like eat more veggies & fruits, they also overemphasize protein, downplay fiber, muddy guidance on processed foods, and send mixed messages on saturated fat.

My take:
https://t.co/BcbGdS36zL

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

Major milestone in gut microbiome science!

Using data from 34K+ stool samples, ZOE developed the first global, evidence-based measure of gut microbiome health. WOW!

Now published in Nature.
https://t.co/pgRwrfy89y

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

Food Summit

Two weeks ago, nearly 300 researchers & change makers came together for the '25 @Stanford Food Summit. It was a day of connection, inspiring keynotes, and action-driven discussions on building healthier, more sustainable food systems.
Videos: https://t.co/O40fB6fjDT

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

UPFs in Schools

Join me + other school food experts on Sept 17 @ 1 pm ET for “Reducing Ultra-Processed Meals: The Next Chapter in School Food” - the second webinar in the three-part Healthy School Food for Thought series hosted by @ChefAnnFnd. Register: https://t.co/yUddFN3NLY

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

MAHA Report

The new report gets some things right - better diets,
⬆️activity, ⬇️exposure to chemicals. But ignoring solid science in favor of “whim & whimsy” (like deep-frying in beef tallow) won’t improve children’s health. Evidence-based nutrition will
https://t.co/tItErXNJ4G

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

Big news! 🎉 We’re teaming up with Eat Real to transform school food!

With support from Ardmore Institute of Health, this first-of-its-kind study will examine how healthy meals impact student performance, well-being & eating habits.

Learn more 👉 https://t.co/QNT9CWCYM6

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

Culinary Medicine - yum!

Big congrats to friend & colleague @ChefInMedicine.

She just launched an online resource to help people eat healthier AND cook delicious food. It’s 100% FREE to everyone thanks to @ACLifeMed. It's impressive! I hope you’ll check it out!

[American College of Lifestyle Medicine @ACLifeMed]

Now Serving: ACLM’s Free Culinary Medicine Program! 🍎
8 modules, 15 hrs of demos & recipes, plus resources to bring plant-predominant cooking to patients. Self-paced & skill-building for clinicians.

@ChefInMedicine

🔗 https://t.co/Go7VjATw3u

#CulinaryMedicine #FoodAsMedicine

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

#SchoolFoodReimagined

We’ve got something exciting cooking with Eat Real Certified…and it’s about the future of school meals. Stay tuned for the big reveal this Thursday!

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

Just published!

Congrats to lead authors, Dalia Perelman & Elisa Caffrey, on publishing "Unpacking Food Fermentation" in Advances in Nutrition.
They explore what we know (and don’t) about fermented foods & why clearer definitions & research matter.

🔗 https://t.co/s2s4NLJPzq

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

Beans, Peas and Lentils

Good for your health, your budget, and the environment, as engagingly revealed by @anahadoconnor

https://t.co/TWCCdDVTFQ

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

@BetterForYall @netflix @Stanford They RECEIVED the same number of calories. The vegan group ATE fewer calories. We did not deliver a gavage with the food…no forced feeding.
Ad libitum - they were told to eat until they felt full.

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

🎉Emmy-Nominated!

“You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment” — the @netflix docuseries featuring our @stanford Twins Study — is up for an Emmy in the Outstanding Lifestyle Program category! What a powerful nod to science communication and good research.

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

🌱🍓Farm to Table Camp

For the 14th year, we're partnering w/ @SantaClaraUSD on their 11-acre farm in Sunnyvale, CA. Kids garden, cook, & learn where food comes from. We're thrilled to support the district's new greenhouse w/ help from @ardmore_health.

https://t.co/9ED00o72rt

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

IGNITE Firefighters' Health Study

We’re fired up to partner with @SFFDPIO + https://t.co/0hRbNKwDi9 on a groundbreaking study asking: Can a whole-food, plant-based diet help reduce cancer risk in firefighters? Big questions, bold science, and more exciting updates to come soon!

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

A big thank you to @hubermanlab for having me on to talk all things food & health—popular diets, protein myths, gut health, food allergies & more. Grateful to have had the opportunity to share evidence-based nutrition insights.

[Andrew D. Huberman, Ph.D. @hubermanlab]

The new Huberman Lab episode is out: How Different Diets Impact Your Health | Dr. Christopher Gardner (@GardnerPhD)

The full episode is available on 𝕏, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all podcast platforms.

(0:00) Christopher Gardner
(2:32) Is there a Best Diet?, Individual Needs, Geography & Diet, Lactose
(11:02) Sponsors: Eight Sleep & Mateina
(13:49) Raw Milk, Lactose Intolerance
(20:33) Wheat Allergies, Gluten Intolerance; Celiac Disease
(25:12) Processed Foods, Food Dyes, Research Outcomes, NOVA Classification, GRAS
(33:44) Processed Foods, Economic & Time Considerations, US vs European Products
(39:59) Food Industry Funding, Investigator Influence, Equipoise, Transparency
(50:10) Sponsors: AG1 & BetterHelp
(53:11) Industry Funding, National Institute of Health (NIH)
(56:41) Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet; Diet Comparison, DIETFITS, A TO Z Study
(1:10:24) Nutrition Naming, Omnivore, Meat, Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO)
(1:17:14) Transforming American Diet; Taste, Health & Environment
(1:22:26) Sponsor: LMNT
(1:23:43) Food Preparation, Chefs, Improve School Food
(1:29:54) Scalability, Mega-Farms, Small Farm & Farmer Loss
(1:34:25) Protein Requirements, Dietary Protein Recommendations, Standard Deviations
(1:45:33) Protein & Storage
(1:52:12) Plants & Complete Proteins?, Legumes, Bioavailability
(2:01:58) Sponsor: Levels
(2:03:17) Beyond Meat, Impossible Meat, Ingredients, Sourcing Meat, Salt
(2:09:18) Vegan vs Omnivore Diet, Twin Study, Cardiometabolic Markers, Genes, Microbiome
(2:20:24) Health Science Communication, DEXA; “Protein Flip” Diet; Food Patterns, Caloric Intake
(2:31:29) Microbiome, Inflammation, Fiber, Tool: Low-Sugar, Fermented Food
(2:45:32) Acknowledgements
(2:47:55) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

Incudes paid partnerships.

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

My amaZING colleague, Sally Duplantier, hosts an exceptional #WellnessWednesday this week with brain health expert Dr. Annie Fenn. Together, they will explore why blood glucose control is essential to reduce the risk of dementia. Free & Recorded. Register: https://t.co/vWWlQOv7Or

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

New Publication: FeFiFo-MOMS Methods

Our latest publication outlines our FeFiFo-MOMS study design, paving the way for future research on how diet during pregnancy impacts the microbiomes of mom & baby—an area still not well understood.

https://t.co/oTsqdHzxJf

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

Unapologetic Deliciousness Talk

This is my 2nd attempt to give this talk in Vallejo, CA @ Touro University. The first attempt on Dec 5, 2024 coincided w/ a California earthquake & automatic tsunami warning that led to evacuating campus, including me.
😱🌊
(there was no tsunami)

[Christopher Gardner @GardnerPhD]

Excited to Present at #CIAHKHL

For 20+ years, the Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives conference has united healthcare and culinary arts to improve access to healthy, affordable food.

See you there?

Learn more at https://t.co/ggbm1hYy2g