While reading through Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food I was surprised to find him preaching to Americans about how we are becoming more and more obese because we are eating processed foods. In spite of FDA approval of all food on the shelves these days, he thinks that we should only be eating organic, locally-grown food. Economically, this would never be possible. Our economy thrives on the food market and who is Pollan to tell people not to eat what is sold in grocery stores?
For one thing, Michael Pollan believes that Western culture is only America. His argument is always geared toward an American audience, but simply refers to his audience as the ‘Western culture.’ His broad generalization is inconsiderate and rude. Pollan even states that we should have a Greek diet even though one would normally consider Greece as part of Western culture. It is almost as though Pollan believes that Western culture is the only technologically advanced culture and therefore the only producer processed food. He continuously mentions how all other ‘cultures’ eat better because of their lack processed food. This is disrespectful to those countries that he considers less-advanced, but with better diets.
In Pollan’s In Defense of Food the author throws plenty of random statistical data at the reader to persuade the reader that his argument is without fault and impossible to question. One may fall for his tricks, but I have not. I have noticed that the data he provides (especially about rising obesity) could be cause by a lot more than our abundance of processed food. For example, as an economy, such as America, grows people become wealthier and therefore more able to afford all the food that they so desire. This abundance of food in our homes can easily be the cause for rising obesity rates. I, however, am not writing a book to persuade readers to think so.
Eventually, Pollan begins to ramble about why our ‘Western’ diet is so unhealthy. He mentions chemicals and preservatives in food and how most of our crops these days are from genetically engineered seeds. My question is, “What is the problem?” All foods available on the market today have been tested to be perfectly safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Even though the idea of ‘fake’ and ‘engineered’ food may sound questionable they have all been proven safe. Pollan’s argument that anything non-organic is unhealthy is quite skewed.
Also, Pollan continuously makes blanket statements that our ‘Western’ culture (really he means Americans) diet consists of nothing other than processed, genetically-engineered food. Obviously, not everyone in this country is obese. Not everyone eats at McDonald’s everyday. There are plenty of people throughout the country that are happy and healthy without any extremist advice from Michael Pollan. I merely urge readers of Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food to be cautious when deciding whether or not his arguments are sound and to be taken seriously or as just a fun, out-of-the-box read.
For one thing, Michael Pollan believes that Western culture is only America. His argument is always geared toward an American audience, but simply refers to his audience as the ‘Western culture.’ His broad generalization is inconsiderate and rude. Pollan even states that we should have a Greek diet even though one would normally consider Greece as part of Western culture. It is almost as though Pollan believes that Western culture is the only technologically advanced culture and therefore the only producer processed food. He continuously mentions how all other ‘cultures’ eat better because of their lack processed food. This is disrespectful to those countries that he considers less-advanced, but with better diets.
In Pollan’s In Defense of Food the author throws plenty of random statistical data at the reader to persuade the reader that his argument is without fault and impossible to question. One may fall for his tricks, but I have not. I have noticed that the data he provides (especially about rising obesity) could be cause by a lot more than our abundance of processed food. For example, as an economy, such as America, grows people become wealthier and therefore more able to afford all the food that they so desire. This abundance of food in our homes can easily be the cause for rising obesity rates. I, however, am not writing a book to persuade readers to think so.
Eventually, Pollan begins to ramble about why our ‘Western’ diet is so unhealthy. He mentions chemicals and preservatives in food and how most of our crops these days are from genetically engineered seeds. My question is, “What is the problem?” All foods available on the market today have been tested to be perfectly safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Even though the idea of ‘fake’ and ‘engineered’ food may sound questionable they have all been proven safe. Pollan’s argument that anything non-organic is unhealthy is quite skewed.
Also, Pollan continuously makes blanket statements that our ‘Western’ culture (really he means Americans) diet consists of nothing other than processed, genetically-engineered food. Obviously, not everyone in this country is obese. Not everyone eats at McDonald’s everyday. There are plenty of people throughout the country that are happy and healthy without any extremist advice from Michael Pollan. I merely urge readers of Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food to be cautious when deciding whether or not his arguments are sound and to be taken seriously or as just a fun, out-of-the-box read.
No comments:
Post a Comment