The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Ultra-Processed Chaos and Pumpkin Madness

Date: October 23, 2025

Hosts: Andrew and Lauren Gruel
Podcast within show: American Gravy

Episode Overview

This episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (featuring the "American Gravy" food segment with Andrew & Lauren Gruel) tackles the everyday challenges of eating healthy in a sea of ultra-processed foods, the cultural obsession with protein, pumpkin-flavored product overload, changing celebrity relevance, and new California ticketing laws. The hosts blend practical family food advice, social commentary, and lots of humor, making for an engaging and relatable exploration of current food and pop culture trends.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Ultra-Processed Foods Dilemma

[03:21 - 12:40]

• Is avoiding ultra-processed foods for kids unrealistic?
  • Lauren asks if it's even possible for families to avoid these foods entirely. Andrew argues that while it's unrealistic to expect a total wipeout overnight, understanding what "ultra-processed" means is key.
• Definition of Ultra-Processed Foods:
  • Andrew: “Processed food is any... I mean, if you cut potatoes, that's processed foods, right? ...Ultra processed food is food that's been ... treated with something that I can't find in nature ... you're not gonna find xanthan gum, like on the side of the road.” [05:25]
  • Ultra-processed = ingredients and chemicals not found in the natural world; introduced for longer shelf life and addictiveness, and often strip nutrients only to add them back as "enriched".
• Market Forces and Limited Choices:
  • Andrew critiques the food system monopoly: “The real problem here is that there's not many options in the market for less processed foods...because the only options that you have to buy foods are from one of the few food manufacturers.” [08:37]
  • Market barriers for small, healthier, local producers (regulatory, financial) keep choices limited and ultra-processed food dominant.
• Realistic Approaches for Parents:
  • Lauren and Andrew agree that perfect is the enemy of good, advocating for practical steps over "all-or-nothing" mentalities.
  • “Start with one meal a week around the table. And what I will tell you anecdotally is that when you get your kids to help you cook the food, they will eat the food.” – Andrew [11:35]

Memorable Moment: Lauren encourages parents not to feel judged:

“Moms, if all you can give your kids is that ultra processed stuff you're still doing a good job. I know it's hard.” [11:15]

2. Protein Pandemonium & Marketing Hype

[12:40 - 16:20]

• Over-Obsession with Protein:
  • Lauren: “Over the past 15 years, Americans’ obsession with protein has transformed.” [13:00]
  • Andrew agrees, noting new markets for powders, bars, and even “protein popcorn.”
• Skepticism of Food Industry Practices:
  • Andrew critiques marketing: “There’s a movement...and the big food marketing machines...they pick up on this...and they put it on everything...You lose focus and definition on the original movement.” [13:59]
• Protein Powders: Gimmick vs. Real Food:
  • Andrew and Lauren complain about digestive issues from powders: “Can anyone point us in the right direction of a good protein powder that's not gonna make us poop our pants?” – Lauren [15:12]
  • Preference for real food: “I would much rather just like eat a piece of mahi while I'm walking down the street.” – Andrew [16:03]

3. Neighborhood Anecdote: The Mystery Pooper

[16:23 - 18:20]

• Humorous diversion about a neighbor letting their dog leave “presents” in the Gruel driveway, and plans for comedic "forensic" investigation.

Memorable Moment:

“There is a secret like sidewalk pooper in our neighborhood. ...So, the dog had to walk up into our driveway and drop a deuce. And it was fresh. There was, like, a little steam on there.” – Andrew [17:13]

4. Nostalgia & The Death of Celebrity

[18:26 - 21:25]

• MTV Shutting Down, Changing Celebrity Culture:
  • Lauren reminisces about MTV's heyday and questions if celebrities today hold the same relevance: “Has social media killed the celebrity? Ooh, that could be our next article.” [19:34]
  • Andrew: “They were mysterious. I don't want to know everything about you. I don't want to hear you complain about your ride to work.” [19:44]
• Overexposure and Politicization:
  • Discussion of how social media and politics have diminished allure and increased disillusionment with celebrities.

5. Segment: “What the Fork” – Food Law & Driving

[21:25 - 26:24]

• California Speeding Tickets Based on Income:
  • Lauren and Andrew debate the “equity” of sliding scale fines.
  • Andrew: "This is classic California. ... you're punishing somebody for being successful." [22:07]
• Driving & Eating:
  • Lighthearted observations on the real danger of eating behind the wheel versus using a phone.
  • Food etiquette in the car, love for minivans, and family routines.

6. Sharpen Your Skills: Resting Meat on a Wire Rack

[26:41 - 28:37]

• Practical Cooking Tip:
  • Andrew explains the science and value of resting cooked meat on a wire rack to maintain crispness and texture:

    “You always rest your meat on the wire rack, because then it's ... not gonna steam...and that moisture is gonna ... evaporate quicker.” [27:08]

• Benefits: Cools meat more evenly, avoids soggy crust.

7. 86 It: Pumpkin Goes Too Far & Chicken Sandwich Overload

[28:39 - 34:19]

• Pumpkin Madness:

  • Lauren’s “86”: Pumpkin in everything, especially cup noodles.
  • Andrew admits: “I don't like pumpkin, so I'm not on the same...” [29:00]
  • He dislikes all pies: “There's not a single pie I like. If you offer me a pie...” [29:11]
  • Debate on pie structure, pumpkin pie, cheesecake.

• Chicken Sandwich Wars:

  • Andrew’s “86”: The overabundance and decline in quality of hot chicken sandwiches:

    “The chicken sandwich craze is becoming a little bit overdone. I'd like to see less of the hot chicken sandwiches because I think people do them wrong.” [33:13]

  • Discussion about the rise, sale, and future of chicken fast food brands.

8. Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

[34:20 - 35:51]

The hosts recap their whirlwind topics and encourage listeners to share their own “86 It” and “WTF” stories:

“Look, this is. You're part of the show here, everybody, so we want your feedback.” – Andrew [35:11]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On defining ultra-processed foods:

  “You're not gonna find xanthan gum, like on the side of the road. I'm not gonna go forage for xanthan gum or soy lecithin or artificial food dyes.” – Andrew [05:25]

• On American food market:

  “There is enough chefs out there and maha folk who are willing to produce seed oil free chicken tenders ... but the market has pushed them out...the USDA, the FDA...access to capital.” – Andrew [09:00]

• On parenting & perfection:

  “Start with one meal a week around the table...when you get your kids to help you cook...they will eat the food.” – Andrew [11:35]

• On food marketing:

  “It's the food marketing machine. ...there's a movement...and the...machines...put it on everything. And then you lose focus and definition...” – Andrew [13:59]

• Pumpkin fatigue:

  “I love pumpkin. I do. I think it's great. But oh, my gosh, what the heck? Pumpkin is in everything. We just saw a cup of noodles.” – Lauren [28:45]

• On chicken sandwiches:

  “If every single bite isn't even, then you failed at making sandwiches.” – Andrew [31:27]

Essential Timestamps

• Ultra-Processed Food Realities: [03:21 – 12:40]
• Protein Marketing & Digestive Drama: [12:40 – 16:20]
• Neighborhood Pooper & Humor Break: [16:23 – 18:20]
• Celebrity & MTV Conversation: [18:26 – 21:25]
• Speeding Ticket Equity & Family Car Life: [21:25 – 26:24]
• Practical Cooking: Wire Rack Rest: [26:41 – 28:37]
• 86 It: Pumpkin & Chicken Sandwich Fatigue: [28:39 – 34:19]
• Sign Off & Listener Engagement: [34:20 – 35:51]

Summary Tone

The episode is energetic, witty, and full of snarky, relatable banter. Andrew and Lauren balance biting critique of food industry norms with homespun advice for working parents, weaving in nostalgia, pop culture, and plenty of personal anecdotes. The tone is irreverent, supportive, and comedic, making even serious points feel accessible.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

• The Gruels puncture myths about what's realistic for families when it comes to healthy eating—but urge small, sustainable steps.
• The episode skewers food marketing trends and the meaninglessness of label hype.
• Fans of food, parenting honesty, and a healthy dose of humor will find plenty of useful tips—and a few headshakes at pumpkin-flavored ramen.
• Listeners are challenged to reclaim both their dinner tables and their skepticism about food trends, all while keeping it real amidst the chaos.