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#49: Why We Should Stop Eating Lettuce | Tamar Haspel

September 24, 2026 · 59 min

Show notes

Michael speaks with Tamar Haspel, The Washington Post's Unearthed columnist and author of To Boldly Grow, about her case for why we should stop eating lettuce. Starting with the explosive diarrhea story behind her column, they examine lettuce's food-safety risks, the healthy reputation of salads, and how to eat well when nutrition advice conflicts. They discuss:

(00:00) Preview
(00:52) Lettuce and foodborne illness
(05:11) Lettuce, water and food waste
(09:07) The salad health halo
(12:39) Lettuce backlash and staple crops
(20:51) Potatoes, corn and other staples
(26:34) What food policy can change
(31:00) Restaurant portions and home cooking
(33:46) Italy's meals versus American snacking
(39:54) Dietary guidelines and protein
(44:34) The case for diet soda
(47:37) The blind egg taste test
(51:20) Food dyes and food beliefs
(55:42) Eating well with uncertain science

Get Tamar's book, To Boldly Grow: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/688423/to-boldly-grow-by-tamar-haspel/
Find Tamar: https://www.tamarhaspel.com

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Host: Michael Easter
Executive Producer: Robbie Hiser
Music: The Heater Manager
Graphics: Jackie Philips

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