So I have decided to take the challenge and follow Pollan's advice as closely as possible. I am already a healthy eater, but I went through my foods today and realized I will be giving up some essentials. I am addicted to these Peanut Butter bars and Quaker Oatmeal which is not made of five ingredients or less. I decided I better start experimenting with new recipes to replace my snack bars which provide a staple in my life. I have researched the closest farmer's market where I will start buying foods and cooking more on my own rather than relying on Woody's hit or miss dining.
When I was rummaging through my snack drawer, I realized there was hardly anything in there I could keep. As soon as I run out, that will be the end of my beloved snacks. No more snack bars, Cinnamon Oatmeal, granola bars, granola in general.... wow. But with all my family health problems, I guess I will see how it goes.
That's very brave of you. I commend you for taking up this challenge... but did you know that GT Dining uses local produce and organic foodstuffs for its meals... so even if you were to drop by Woody's/Brittain occasionally, you would not be deviating from your plan.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck.
I may take on the challenge with you. It is going to be soooo hard giving up some of my favorite snacks but I am interested to see if I can do it. I wonder if that includes different kinds of juices. I looked at the ingredients of Hawaiin Punch and it has a ridiculously long list of ingredients and of course the 2nd one is high fructose syrup. :/
ReplyDeleteThe challenge would be really tough but will be rewarding in the end. However, I think the easiest way to follow pollen's way of diet is to go vegetarian. :D
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm impressed. Even after this semester ends, I feel like you should chart your progress on a personal blog or something...
ReplyDelete...or we could keep this blog going. The problem is that blogs which aren't updated are so depressing, and I know that a lot of the impetus for posting on this blog has a lot to do with your blog participation grade.
Wow I am amazed that someone is actually going with pollan's diet that is in college. Since most college students are restricted by time and money it is simply easier to live with snacks and gthe use of the dining hall instead of cooking themselves. Good luck with this as wonteck said it will be rewarding in the end
ReplyDeleteWhat I like to do is create a really healthy trail mix. Like i mix peanuts, pretzals, dried fruit, replace the M&Ms with something else. I love trail mix and not the expensive fatty kind that are offered in vending machines. Just an idea if you have some time on your hand :)
ReplyDeletegood job. i could never do this. i'm sad to sy that i love junk food and fatty foods way to much to follow pollan's strategy.
ReplyDeletethis is very brave of you
I wish you luck!
ReplyDeleteI would love to join in the effort but as a person with little to no experience in cooking (aside from assembling California rolls and flipping steak), I'm pretty much doomed aside from living off of the dining halls. Also, I'm addicted to soda... Sadly, I can't think of a day where I didn't drink a can of soda whereas I can tell already I have not drunk 100% H2O.
That sounds like a plan. I myself have decided to look into following Pollan's advice, albeit moderately. I've looked at all the foods I normally eat and simply make sure there are not too many "weird" ingredients in them. Its pretty tough sometimes considering almost everything has a ton of different ingredients, further proving Pollan's point. The dining halls don't help either, because you don't really know the exact ingredients of everything you put on your plate. And when it comes to soda, its a necessity, so just learn to deal with it.
ReplyDeleteThe trail mix sounds like a good idea. And yes, I was planning on finding someway of sharing the transition because it isn't exactly easy. I have though about going vegetarian and since I don't eat too much meat anyway I think I'll go with the flexitarian. I mostly just like fish anyway so hopefully it won't be too much of a change. I have already started making different decisions. I have looked up recipes for tofu because if you don't know how to prepare it, it definitely won't be a pleasant experience. I've started turning off the TV when I eat and asked mom for every possible cooking utensil. I've replaced fat free ranch on my salads (which has every possible oil in it) with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette. It's little things until I get the tools I need to start cooking on my own.
ReplyDeleteDr. Tiff, I would definitely keep posting here about my food experience if it was kept open. This is a pretty challenging thing to do as far as accessibility to what I am looking for.
ReplyDeleteThats really impressive that you are trying to do that. Pollan certainly makes interesting arguements for me, but its a huge commitment to actually try this diet out. I wish you all the best!
ReplyDeleteDon't follow the rules. Rules are meant to be broken. Hah just kidding, it's pretty admirable that you're willing to stick to plans like that. I personally don't have that much self control, and prefer to eat unhealthy foods just because they taste better. Maybe one day I'll learn to overcome that and follow his rules too...
ReplyDelete