The typical Western diet, commonly loaded with ultra-processed foods (UPFs), sugar-rich goodies and a lack of sufficient vegetation, has come under increasing fire in recent years.
It’s believed that this endorphin-farming approach to food, made worse by the cheapness, availability, and addictiveness of UPFs, is the root cause of spiking chronic disease rates and myriad behavioural issues in children.
With that in mind, legislators have been weighing options as to how people can be steered towards healthier diets. The Make American Healthy Again movement, led by US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, is one example of government seeking ways to minimise UPF intake and increase the public’s interest in whole foods.
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Coloradan legislators have just enacted one of its own measures in this arena, with food stamps in Colorado no longer being eligible for purchasing sodas and other sugary drinks.
Alongside plans to expand food assistance benefits to restaurants, farmers’ markets and hot grocery foods, Colorado legislators are reframing state-provided food aid with a heightened focus on whole foods and nutritious diets.
Those legislators requested permission from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enact this change in May, with Governor Jared Polis announcing on 4 August 2025 that the plans had received federal approval.
The request to allow the use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at restaurants, on hot grocery foods, and at farmers’ markets is still pending.
“Colorado is one of the healthiest states in the nation and has the lowest obesity rate of any state,” said Governor Polis in a news release.
“Sadly, even Colorado’s lowest obesity rate of 24.9% is too high, and endangers and shortens the lives of too many Coloradans. Today’s waiver is a big step towards improving the health of Coloradans, and reducing obesity rates, diabetes, and tooth decay.”
The change will be enacted in 2026, with Polis saying it could help to curb ‘food deserts’ by reducing the amount of shelf space dedicated to high-sugar foods like sodas.
Under the changed rules, food stamps will be eligible for 100% fruit juices and milk-based drinks, but all other sweetened beverages will be ineligible. The limit will be 5g of sugar or sweetener per 12 ounces, beyond which the drink in question will be ineligible.
Other states to gain approval for excluding sodas and junk foods from food assistance programs on 4 August include: West Virginia, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
RFK Jr celebrated the news in a press release.
“For years, SNAP has used taxpayer dollars to fund soda and candy—products that fuel America’s diabetes and chronic disease epidemics,” he said.
“These waivers help put real food back at the center of the program and empower states to lead the charge in protecting public health.”
Rachael Davis