Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he attempted the ketogenic diet several years ago, describing the experience as a "near-psychotic event" due to sugar withdrawal symptoms that left him unusually irritable.

Rubio made the comments during an interview with podcast host Katie Miller, who is married to White House adviser Stephen Miller. The Secretary of State recounted his attempt at the high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet approximately four to five years ago.

"You just eat all this protein, so you go through this massive withdrawal from sugar and carbohydrates for the first 72 hours," Rubio said. "It was a near-psychotic event for me."

Jeanette Rubio, seated beside her husband during the interview, confirmed his account, laughing and saying, "It's true. It's true."

"If I did keto in this job, I would be in there, 'Mr. President, we must bomb, you know, Paraguay,'" Rubio joked. "And it's like, why? I don't know, I'm just really mad, I haven't had any sugar," he added with laughter.

The Secretary of State clarified that he was not criticizing the diet itself, which restricts carbohydrates to force the body to burn fat instead of sugar for fuel.

"I'm not against this diet. I'm not asking that we ban it. I encourage people to try it," Rubio said. "I'm just saying it's not for everyone."

What the Right Is Saying

Conservative commentators praised Rubio for his candor and humor, with many sharing clips of the interview across social media platforms.

"This is exactly the kind of relatable content that makes voters connect with their elected officials," one conservative commentator wrote. "Secretary Rubio showing vulnerability about something as universal as diet struggles resonates with people."

Supporters noted that Rubio's approach—sharing personal anecdotes while making clear he was not advocating for or against any particular diet—represented a measured perspective on nutrition policy.

"He's being honest about what works for him without telling anyone else what to do," one Republican strategist said. "That's a reasonable position."

What the Left Is Saying

Progressive critics noted that Rubio's comments came during a period when Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy has been promoting various dietary approaches as part of public health initiatives. Some observers suggested the Secretary of State's remarks highlighted ongoing debates within the administration about nutrition policy.

"It's interesting to see cabinet members sharing personal diet experiences," one Democratic strategist noted, speaking on background. "This Administration has taken unusual interest in what Americans eat."

Others pointed out that Rubio's focus on his own experience rather than broader dietary policy reflected a pattern of avoiding substantive health care discussions while serving as the nation's top diplomat.

What the Numbers Show

The ketogenic diet has been among the most-searched diets in the United States over the past decade, according to Google Trends data. Interest peaked around 2019 before stabilizing at elevated levels.

A 2023 survey by the International Food Information Council found that approximately 10% of Americans reported following a low-carbohydrate diet at some point during the previous year. Among those who tried such diets, about one-third reported difficulty maintaining them long-term.

Keto-related products generated an estimated $12.8 billion in U.S. retail sales in 2024, according to industry analyses, with projections showing continued growth through the decade.

The Bottom Line

Rubio's comments represent a lighthearted moment during what was described as a wide-ranging interview that also touched on Robert F. Kennedy's dietary preferences and a comparison of the movies "Jaws" and "Sharknado."

The episode illustrates how cabinet officials sometimes use media appearances to share personal stories rather than policy announcements. Such moments can humanize public figures but offer limited insight into administration priorities.

No immediate policy implications arise from Rubio's remarks, and the Secretary of State made clear he was not suggesting government action on dietary matters. The interview will likely serve as a reference point for future discussions about how Administration officials present themselves in non-official settings.