Blog Post #4

Michael Pollan has an idea. “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” In his book, In Defense of Food, Pollan states his case against overly processed foods, the food industries tactical efforts to convince the public that things like diet soda can have health benefits, and the overall unsatisfactory eating habits of the Western world, in particular, the United States. Pollan recommends only eating things that would be recognizable by some one’s great grandmother. Sounds like simple advice, but maybe not as simple as it seems. Eating healthier usually requires spending more money on food, another thing that Pollan recommends doing. Even more importantly, it requires the public to alter their lifestyles. Eating food ones grandmother would recognize is only part of the puzzle. Another larger piece would be to eat in a similar atmosphere that our grandmothers ate in. Pollan makes a good point that many of the chemicals needed in “the tangible material formerly known as food,” aren’t necessary if people give themselves the time to prepare and eat their food without feeling rushed.

It is interesting how in a country obsessed with health, the number cases of diabetes, high blood pressure, and other ailments seems to be on the rise. Maybe Pollan is right in stating that the public can’t just go by a label that says “new and improved with extra vitamins” on a breakfast bar. Would it be possible to eat healthy all the time in society today? Maybe, but it would be difficult. However, the point Pollan seems to be making is not to give up ones day job and become a farmer to provide vittles for one’s family. He just wants everyone to take a look at how and what they are eating and make better choices. It seems to be clear enough to understand. However, it can bring people onto the defensive for several reasons. For one, lifestyle changes are difficult. Also, there are many food industries that have more to gain from the public, financially, when their eating habits are still non stellar. Along with that, the health industry itself is a huge money making machine that stands to gain more if their expertise is “needed” by the public to help them figure out how to get healthy.

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Pollan is basically stating that there is no great secret to better health. The fact is it is just that easy-and that difficult. So instead of taking a vitamin that has the same nutritional value as a serving of broccoli, eat a piece of broccoli. Hard to do that in a car on the way to work? Then reserve time in the day to eat at home, as a family. Now there is a concept! The benefits to this will not only bring physical health but emotional and familial health as well- an added benefit. Pollan is correct in his suggestion that more time spent on preparing and eating foods will give betterment to the lives of those willing to put in the effort. The health of the eater would improve and maybe his or her family relationships would too and that would be the icing on the cake.