Tune-In Tuesday: Pollan's "In Defense of Food"

What did you eat for lunch today? Was it food? Or was it an edible food-like substance?

If you’re confused by the above questions, don’t panic. The term “edible food-like substances” is a term seen frequently in Michael Pollan’s book, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto. Today’s Tune-In Tuesday post reviews one of the best books I’ve read regarding the American diet by one of my favorite authors. Not ready to take my word for it? Well, keep reading!

First a word about the author. Michael Pollan is a frequent inhabitant of bestsellers lists, known for his writings on the food industry, healthy living, and the environment. He was named to the TIME’s 2010 list of the world’s 100 most influential people. Newsweek named him one of the top 10 “New Thought Leaders,” and he has received many awards as a contributing writer to The New York Times.

In Defense of Food examines the relationship between “nutritionism” and the Western diet. Pollan believes our national dietary problem is that we are merely eating food-like substances touted as healthy. Ironically, America seems to become less healthy as it worries about how to become more healthy. Rather than confusing the reader with mumbo jumbo and scientific talk, Pollan simplifies his message into seven words:

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

Catchy, eh? Here are some random key points presented:

Eat Food:

-America is currently eating a lot of highly processed foods. For example, the food industry has taken cereal, turned it into oatmeal, turned it into cereal bars with a layer of fake milk inside, etc.

-Don’t eat anything your great-great-grandma wouldn’t recognize. Would she know what a Go-Gurt was if she picked it up in the store?

Not too much:

-America should take a hint from other cultures and reduce portion sizes. The French use smaller plates while the Japanese practice “Hara hachi bu” (eating until you’re 80% full). Spend more money on better food, just buy less of it.

Mostly plants:

-The periphery of the grocery store contains the less processed foods like fresh produce.

-Embrace the plethora of health benefits that come with vegetable and fruit consumption, such as cancer and diabetes prevention.

-Vegetables and fruits should be redefined as the center of things with meat as a side dish.

Overall, Pollan answers the question “what should I eat” from an ecological, tradition-based standpoint rather than from a scientific, nutrient-specific view. In my personal opinion…

What I liked: Pollan uses a straightforward tone without preaching his content. His casual voice makes you feel like you’re receiving advice from a knowledgeable friend rather than from a stuffy academic. Forget the boring, unoriginal nutritional guidelines; In Defense of Food provides fresh, unique ideas about the food industry (I had all but forgotten about Go-Gurts!).

What I didn’t like: The book presents potential solutions to the nation’s food problems, but I didn’t feel like I was given too many details about the problems themselves. Luckily, this dislike will easily be resolved once I finish reading the book’s predecessor, The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. Yes, I am reading them out of order, but have no fear…more Pollan reviews are to come in future Tune-In Tuesday posts!

I would certainly recommend reading this book. In the meantime, check out this awesome NPR interview with Pollan about his food philosophies.

If you’ve read In Defense of Food, what did you think? Can you think of any overly processed goods that would fit Pollan’s idea of “edible food-like substances”?

Today’s Recommended Read: “Walmart to Buy More Local Produce” (The NYTimes)