Episode
Snackwell's Cookies
56:36
Published: Tue Nov 03 2020
Description
They hit the market in 1992. Three years later, they were the best-selling cookie in America. This week, Mike and Aubrey dive into the low-fat craze of the 1990s and sample the snack that became the symbol of its rise and fall. Support us: Subscribe on PatreonDonate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and moreLinks! How the Ideology of Low Fat Conquered America “Eat More, They’re Healthy”Anthology of “Cookie Man” ads“What if It’s All Been A Big Fat Lie?”“Ending the War on Fat” Support the show
Chapters
Aubrey introduces the podcast, Maintenance Phase, but struggles to come up with a new tagline.
00:00 - 00:40 (00:40)
Summary
Aubrey introduces the podcast, Maintenance Phase, but struggles to come up with a new tagline.
EpisodeSnackwell's Cookies
PodcastMaintenance Phase
Two podcasters go down memory lane to discuss Snackwells Devil's Food Cookies, a fat-free chocolate and marshmallow cookie that was launched in 1992 and how it impacted their childhood memories.
00:40 - 04:42 (04:01)
Summary
Two podcasters go down memory lane to discuss Snackwells Devil's Food Cookies, a fat-free chocolate and marshmallow cookie that was launched in 1992 and how it impacted their childhood memories.
EpisodeSnackwell's Cookies
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The low-fat diet has been around since the 1800s when a German doctor noticed yellow deposits on some people's hearts.
04:42 - 10:21 (05:39)
Summary
The low-fat diet has been around since the 1800s when a German doctor noticed yellow deposits on some people's hearts. The idea that consuming fat causes weight gain has persisted ever since.
EpisodeSnackwell's Cookies
PodcastMaintenance Phase
This podcast episode discusses the research surrounding saturated fat and its effect on our health, including the flawed methodology of early research and the more recent comprehensive study that challenges the idea that saturated fat is universally bad.
10:21 - 16:39 (06:17)
Summary
This podcast episode discusses the research surrounding saturated fat and its effect on our health, including the flawed methodology of early research and the more recent comprehensive study that challenges the idea that saturated fat is universally bad.
EpisodeSnackwell's Cookies
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The episode discusses the methodological flaws in Ansel Keys' study and how it got criticized by researchers.
16:39 - 21:07 (04:27)
Summary
The episode discusses the methodological flaws in Ansel Keys' study and how it got criticized by researchers. The podcast also covers the accuracy of food recall and eating disorders.
EpisodeSnackwell's Cookies
PodcastMaintenance Phase
In this episode, the speaker points out the lack of consensus in nutrition science and echoes her skepticism of the low-fat hypothesis.
21:07 - 27:54 (06:47)
Summary
In this episode, the speaker points out the lack of consensus in nutrition science and echoes her skepticism of the low-fat hypothesis. She refers to the US government's recommendation to reduce fat intake and increase carbohydrates in the diet, and the cultural understanding around the importance of reducing fat in one's diet.
EpisodeSnackwell's Cookies
PodcastMaintenance Phase
This transcript discusses the role of advisers in creating nutritional guidelines in the 1980s and how these guidelines were influenced by various sources including a surgeon general's report and magazines like Prevention.
27:54 - 32:43 (04:49)
Summary
This transcript discusses the role of advisers in creating nutritional guidelines in the 1980s and how these guidelines were influenced by various sources including a surgeon general's report and magazines like Prevention.
EpisodeSnackwell's Cookies
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The speaker remembers trying 90s fat-free yogurt in middle school and discusses the failed attempt at creating healthier diet foods.
32:43 - 35:58 (03:14)
Summary
The speaker remembers trying 90s fat-free yogurt in middle school and discusses the failed attempt at creating healthier diet foods. The speaker also critiques the lack of nutritional value in such products.
EpisodeSnackwell's Cookies
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The speaker discusses the introduction of low-fat snacks, such as Weight Watchers and SlimFast, which resemble typical snacks but are intended for weight loss.
35:58 - 41:41 (05:43)
Summary
The speaker discusses the introduction of low-fat snacks, such as Weight Watchers and SlimFast, which resemble typical snacks but are intended for weight loss. However, they still require adherence to basic dietary restrictions.
EpisodeSnackwell's Cookies
PodcastMaintenance Phase
In 1995, the food and diet industry flooded the market with 1,914 new low-fat products, capitalizing on public health recommendations and consumer demand.
41:41 - 46:49 (05:07)
Summary
In 1995, the food and diet industry flooded the market with 1,914 new low-fat products, capitalizing on public health recommendations and consumer demand. These products included non-fat salad dressing, baked potato chips, low-fat sweetened milk and yogurt, and low-fat processed turkey and bologna.
EpisodeSnackwell's Cookies
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The results of diet studies have been inconsistent, as individuals react differently to diets.
46:49 - 54:52 (08:03)
Summary
The results of diet studies have been inconsistent, as individuals react differently to diets. There is also a food science aspect to consider.
EpisodeSnackwell's Cookies
PodcastMaintenance Phase
Processing plants are not always reliable which means that the same product is not guaranteed every time as there may be malfunctions and sick workers.
54:52 - 56:10 (01:17)
Summary
Processing plants are not always reliable which means that the same product is not guaranteed every time as there may be malfunctions and sick workers. Everyone's bodies are different, so giving unwarranted diet advice and shaming people for their food choices is not helpful.