Blog Post 4

Michael Pollans’ main argument throughout his book “In Defense of Food; An Eater’s Manifesto,” is that Americans need to buy fewer processed foods and more basic ingredients. Throughout the entire informational book he provided more than enough information to back up his argument. At one point early on in the book he made the quote "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Essentially throughout the entire book, Pollan states that our country’s food system is in total disarray. He also makes it well known that this book is an “anti diet” book. Pollan does not tell us to follow any specific dietary rules but instead that we need to think of food as a relationship. One should know where their food comes from, and think about the food before it’s eaten. Who grew it? What is the texture like? What ingredients are in it? Pollan argues that we as Americans should care about what we ingest and not just ingest anything. We need to make our own decisions.

The guidelines that he gives the reader throughout the book are innovative, make sense, and are simple, but at the same time it takes time and patience to plan and prepare. Therefore the question really is, are people truely going to commit to that kind of time just to make a healthier lifestyle. I feel that only those who are already environmentally and food conscious are going to change the way they buy, cook and eat. Not to mention, a lot of people do not have the time or income to create such a change in their lifestyle that they have become so accustomed to.

Pollan argues that humans used to know how to eat healthy, however, over time, we have deteriorated in our eating habits, giving in to processed and genetically modified foods. We need to retreat back to the old times where we ate what land gave to us. Such as wheat, fruits, and vegetables, and only indulge in meat as a side dish rather than a main course. However, sugar and fat has become very cheap within recent years and therefore food being satay-ed or fried has become more common than a typical salad as a main course dish. However, Pollan continues to argue that we should eat more plants for they have a better source of nutrients than anything that has been manufactured in great quantities at factories. Though Pollan provides strong arguments, it still cannot convince a typical American to completely change their eating habits.

Pollan does an excellent job in splitting up the book into three sections describing his main argument. His first part explains all the basics of food and the falsities that revolve around such ideas as a ‘low-fat diet.’ He then goes on to explain the benefits of eating vegetables such as the benefits of Omega fatty acids and the difference between the healthy kind, which is Omega-3 (found in dark green leafy vegetables and fish), while Omega-6 (found in oils and poultry) are the kind that can lead to heart disease. Finally in the last part of his book, Pollan explains how we should not eat too much for we consume ourselves in food unlike in other countries. For example the Japanese use chop sticks which can slow down their eating and therefore the feeling of being full comes at a quicker pace. All the while Pollan provides many good points and facts, how can people commit to such a strong strange in their current eating habits?

Pollan has a very strong argument with all of the facts he provides, however he is unconvincing to me. He sounds very professional with all his facts and how processed foods are bad, but what he neglects is how this is a new century. Time and money is not easily accessible, and instead processed and ready-to-eat meals have become popular. Especially to the working folks who have eat dinner while at work or do not have enough time to prepare such an elaborate healthy meal at home. Therefore, Pollan makes excellent points in the our health is deteriorating, but I believe people will not make that commitment to change their lifestyle in order to fit Pollan’s.