At about 8:00 pm on Saturday night I finally began to read the book In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. Less than 24 hours later I was finished. I guess that isn’t saying a whole lot since the book is only a couple hundred pages long, but I literally felt as though I couldn’t put it down. It was the ultimate thriller of all things food and health.
I read Omnivore’s Dilemma a few months ago and it was thoroughly enlightening. It confirmed many of the food related thoughts and views I had been struggling with as a person who spent her academic career studying nutrition, while also teaching me so much that I never even realized existed. It further fueled my desire to reduce processed foods and find ways to learn the origin of foods I do choose to eat.
I followed that up with Food Politics by Marion Nestle. A book that shook my nutritionist roots to their core and left me to question all that I had learned about nutrition thus far in my life and in my career. I mean all of this in the most positive way possible, but after that book I did need to take a break from nutrition reading to gather my thoughts.
I started In Defense of Food much in need of a motivational boost. Food, Inc. is out in the US along with other documentaries I’m seeing mentioned left and right on nourishing food blogs. I’m feeling a bit left out. While being abroad allows me to experience a new culture, I am also distanced from the changes going on in my own. I’ve felt unfocused lately with my own cooking and eating and what exact direction I’m headed.
Well I couldn’t have picked a better time to read the book. Consider my fire reignited and glowing brightly.
What Is It About This Info?
As I finished this book, I found myself wondering why it strikes such a cord with me. I’ve had that little voice that fake foods aren’t good for us for a long time, but nothing has really sparked my interest or driven me to change like Michael Pollan’s books. I’ve read plenty throughout the years about the dangers of refined foods, about how refined sugar has addictive properties and all that. However, all those books left me more knowledgeable, but not motivated to change.
What I’ve decided is that it has a lot to do with Pollan’s style. Through his writing he exudes a balance of logic and honesty. He isn’t a health fanatic selling the latest miracle cure or telling you that vegetarianism, meat-eating or non-dairy is the only way to live. He has science to back up his thinking, but he isn’t a scientist. He’s one of us, so-to-speak, trying to figure it all out too.
After reading his books with the information he pulls from himself and other knowledgeable people, not only do you feel as though you are more intelligent on the subject, but that you truly want to make long term change. Not only do you feel empowered, but also confident that your changes could actually make a difference.
A New Tradition
The book speaks a lot about traditional eating and how the past couple generations are more focused on industrial eating. This is why I think it is so hard for people of my generation to change. And by change, I don’t mean try, I mean change, as in throw out the processed foods – even the processed sugars and flours in moderation and on occasion.
A traditional way of eating comes from what we know, what we grew up with. Unfortunately if you are in my boat, you never knew a time when processed foods weren’t used. To change means we have to revert back to a time we’ve never known.
For me, this brings on visions of those meals and desserts that are my absolute favorites and which also use prepared, packaged ingredients. Things, at first thought, I would sorely miss and the elimination of which may even erase some fond memories. They’re okay in moderation, it doesn’t hurt to have it once a week/month/year, progress in food development isn’t all bad. Right? Well, these are the things I’m starting to question.
Don’t worry, I’m not becoming that foodie nutritionist, the one who doesn’t believe in an indulgence or splurge. I’m just sharing these thoughts and considering the fact that I may be redefining what an indulgence or splurge is for me.
Voting with Forks and Dollars
One of the most thought-provoking parts of this book is a short discussion about how we as consumers vote with our forks. I’ve never been one to jump on the bandwagon when it comes to boycotting things and/or companies. When someone says this company did this or that bad thing so we aren’t buying their products anymore, I’m not one to vocally join in.
Why? Well because it is the surest way I know to make myself out to be a hypocrite. Honestly, I don’t know enough about all of my spending patterns to confirm that I don’t support something that I’m not in complete agreement with somewhere along the line.
I know that I should, but companies own lots of other companies and it is difficult to be sure where exactly money goes. No, I haven’t researched every item I’ve ever purchased as a consumer. I’m getting better about it, but not there yet. So I may make my own quiet choices to not purchase from a specific company because of what I’ve heard from others, but I likely won’t be singing about it.
This part in the book really made me think though. I do need to consider my choices when it comes to food. As innocent as it seems, when I grab a bag of pre-made cookies because I didn’t have time to make something for that party, when I select a pancake syrup instead of maple syrup because the latter seems too expensive, or when I have that favorite nostalgic treat one last time, essentially I am supporting something I don’t wish to. Namely, the use of HFCS in foods or just fake foods in general. I’m beginning to feel more strongly that this is not okay. Not for me.
Voting with my fork and dollars is a power I have. It might be the only power I have in changing our society for the better. I feel like I need to be more responsible with this power.
There is another topic I want to discuss regarding the book, but I think it warrants a post on its own. I’ve already thrown a lot of thoughts out there with this one. Consider it Part 1.
I want to know what you think about the issues I’ve presented. Have you read the book?
This post has been submitted to Fight Back Fridays at Food Renegade
I haven’t read this yet but now I really want to. It sounds right in line with my beliefs. But I’m on the same page with you about the indgulgences. I’m not going to give up my beloved cookies yet but I sure can make the extra effort to actually make them when I want them!
I’ve read all of Pollan’s books and find that they strike a cord with me and that they are easy to read. I try to vote with my dollars, but I know more has to be done. At lot of things that have been done to food have been accomplished with huge subsidies, etc. so I believe we have to change the systems in addition to making our choices heard through dollars spent.
I was at a green fair this weekend trying to encourage and teach people about sustainable food. We had a leaflet about organic meats and this women with three kids pushing a stroller came up to me and said I can’t read that. I know if I do, I’ll just feel awful about what I feed my kids, but I just can’t afford organic. We spend billions on bailing out car companies, etc – what about some real money for organics and supporting sustainable agriculture and healthy foods? What about good food for all as the first step to a healthier nation and preventative care? We stuff our mouths with government supported chemicals and we are paying the price in obesity, diabetes, heart disease, a polluted planet…
OK, I better stop now – I could on forever…
I love all of Pollan’s books. I just finished Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal Vegetable Miracle this weekend. It’s of the same vein. I’d recommend it – it’s a bit preachy but interesting and funny.
I really need to read this book. I have heard Pollan speak (I do like his way of thinking) on this book but I haven’t actually read it, now that I saw you’re tweets and blog about your 24-hour read I’m totally intrigued.
Yep! Great book. I love health books and I find that these ones in particular really do make a lot of sense. Being aware of what is good for us, what our body needs/wants, and what things we’ll most be happy with indulging in, is all really important.
I have yet to read either of Pollan’s books, but they are in my posession. They are definitely tops on my read list once I’m done at my job and have some down time to get in some hard core reading.
Amy – I am definitely in agreement that it is far superior for health to make your own, or at the very least, get them from a place that bakes daily with natural ingredients. 🙂
gastroanthro – We definitely need to have coffee and chat sometime. 😉 I do need to make it to London at some point. I couldn’t agree more with the system change. This has been much of my issue in working within agriculture and the USDA for the first few years of my career. Thanks for bringing up that story as well. I’ve been really proud of KY because the food stamp program has worked out an agreement to allow recipients to spend their vouchers at the Farmer’s Market. Not sure how many do, but it is an option. It doesn’t solve all problems, but is a step in the right direction.
Alison – That is on my list next.
Jolene – I would love to hear him speak. I’ve seen a YouTube discussion, but that is about it. It’s a quick read, you’ll enjoy it.
Sagan – Yeah, there are many factors at play. I enjoy that these books are enlightening and honest. I respect the fact that there are professionals out there to reveal the false info we’ve received over the years.
Marianne – It took me a while to get to them as well. I still have so many more on the list. 🙂 Would love to hear your thoughts when you get the time to read it. I think you’ll really enjoy it.
I’ve read it and really enjoyed. Great information. Even little changes can make a big difference. I am not perfect but I try every day to eat healthy, local, and exercise, etc.
We’ve been reading the books & recently I hosted showings of the movie FRESH: A new way to think about eating. We’re trying to eat more things locally & seasonally. Buying meat & poultry from local farms is our biggest step lately. We are lucky though because Minneapolis is one of the 10 best cities in the US for local food with so much available to us at farmer’s markets & even grocery stores. We also have many farmer to table restaurants to choose from when we eat out. Not everyone is that lucky which is something that has to change.
Love this book! I don’t know that I agree with all that he says in his arguments against our Western way of eating (I like most, but not all), but I do find his conclusions compelling. Compelling enough to strive to implement them.
I feel a bit like a hypocrite at times too because we do still eat too many “fake” foods and use too many products with artificial sweeteners, but we are working toward the ideal that Pollan presents. Really, as a parent, I think that it’s especially important to follow Pollan’s recommendations. But, in our society, it’s especially hard to implement his eating guidelines when you have kids. We’re bombarded with brilliant marketing and peer pressure directed straight at kids. There are plenty of food items that we just nix all together, but for others I try to find reasonable substitutes that don’t give me the heeby-jeebies.
We can do better, though. Blogs like yours make me want to do better!
I have not yet read this book but you’ve certainly given me the impetus to do so soon! I mentioned before that I don’t necessarily believe that large scale food production is bad: the success of organic and natural food brands such as Organic Valley show that ‘fake-free’ foods can be produced in quantity and at relatively affordable prices if companies put any effort into it!
This is where your ‘money where your fork is’ idea comes in. The Wall Street Journal this week reported that mainstream grocery stores are now expanding their lines of organic foods as customers are clearly expressing a demand for healthy yet affordable products. I think we are beginning to head in the right direction!
Maria – I agree. this book really brought out the difference that little changes could make.
kat – Sounds like a great place to live indeed! I think you are definitely speaking to the system change as gastroanthropologist mentioned. In central KY I will have access to a lot of resources like you, however, the restaurant scene is difficult to navigate. Lots of local places to support, but overflowing with not so great options as well.
cathy – Thanks! I really appreciate the perspective you bring regarding having kids. I know it has to be a much different situation between geting them to enjoy healthy foods and the pressures from other kids and parents you may not have control over. You do a great job if your blog has anything to say about it! 🙂
Tangled Noodle – I definitely agree that all those supermarket changes result from voting with forks. At points I fear there is too much emphasis on industrial organic, but I do feel that word is getting out about that as well. Also the fact that many farmer’s use the practices and don’t get the certification. I’m seeing that mentioned a lot lately even in mainstream fitness mags so that is great news!
I haven’t read the book but I want to! Although you wouldn’t know it from reading my blog – I’m struggling (mentally) with my food. I’m not sure how to explain the struggle other than to say that I want to eat healthier. What you’ve said here about traditions plays into that. And my habits also.
Just to let you know that I awarded you a Lovely Blog award.
I always recommend this book when anyone asks for a good start into this the fake food free world. This is one of the best in my opinion- entertaining, accessible and with great stats and quotes you can impress your friends with.
I haven’t read this book, but this post made me walk the 50 yards to the campus library and check it out. Thanks! Since we’ve been back in the U.S., we’ve realized how weird American food is. Have you seen the size of an American chicken breast??? It’s scared us so much that we’ve changed our budgeting to include more organic food.
Reeni – I really welcome the foods on your blog because I feel like you use a lot of whole ingredients. I do know what you mean though. I go through struggles myself. Mine are with balancing things I truly enjoy, but still pushing the true theme and reason for my blog.
Alison – Thank You!
Meghan – I totally agree. Love your thinking as well. A book like this could make one very impressive indeed. 🙂
Mindy – That’s great! I can’t wait to hear what you think. I know what you mean about the food. The size of things is unbelievable from fresh foods to family-size packages. We are in the same boat, already thinking about how to adjust our food budget so we can focus on natural, whole foods.
That’s a great book isn’t it? It really changed the way I eat, and I’m sure played some part in my giving up meat, though Pollan doesn’t specifically recommend that. But it promotes such a simple, sensible way of eating.
That said, I’m surprised you read it so fast! I got really bogged down in the middle section of it.
NoMeatAthlete – I know what you mean. My husband and I aren’t full vegetarians, but definitely see the value in limiting meat consumption.
Oh and I think the fact that I read Food Politics right before this book helped me sail through it. Ha, ha! That was a good one, but took me a while to get through so this one seemed like a breeze after that. 🙂
given that Pollan is right here in the Bay Area, we have a lot of dialog going on regarding his ideas. I agree with voting with my dollars, and most folks do in general. A general comment here about Pollan is he is a bit elitist, but I think if you are careful about how you spend your money, and really look at the ingredients there is nothing elitist, but it does break my heart to see families thing they are making affordable choices by taking their kids to McDonalds, they’ve set them up for a lifetime of problems down the road, most of those kids are already overweight and they are so you.
It’s a while now since I read the book but I do recall that it really resonated with me (in fact I feel I should go back and read it again!)
I am certainly more conscious now of voting with my dollars (or, rather, euros) when it comes to buying food – I wouldn’t claim that it’s all down to Michael Pollan, but I guess reading the book certainly gave me a heightened awareness of the issues as well as a philosophy that I could buy into.
OysterCulture – It’s interesting to hear the perspective from your area. Perhaps it has something to do with him being an academic. I guess I found his comments so refreshing bc I worked in academia with the lower income pop of my state. Around every corner and for every idea the main comment was, well not everyone has the money. This is true and it opened my eyes, but I often think it is also used as an excuse. Glad to have your comment considering you are nearby and it is probably a popular topic there.
Daily Spud – I’m keeping it for a later read as well. It helped me with the awareness side of things. I needed the push that it provided at the moment.
I recently finished this book as well and while I thought it was quite interesting, I wasn’t as mad about it as I expected to be. I felt like Pollan made a soft pitch…his voice seemed overly apologetic somehow. I think it was due to the fact that I had just finished “Real Food: what to eat and why” by Nina Plank. For some reason his book failed to have as much of an impact after reading hers.
You should check it out if you haven’t already had the opportunity to do so!
– RFM
In Defense of Food was the only book I took on our two-week vacation this year, and I finished it in 24 hours! It was so good, and I love his non-preachiness. I was on the brink of becoming a fanatic after a three-week detox program, and his discussion of the orthorexia (is that right) was very balancing. Unfortunately I’m sliding back to the other extreme, but I’m still trying. That’s the important thing…right??
Love the blog. I’ll definitely be back.
realfoodmama – Thanks for stopping by. I have Real Food on my list. I’ve heard it is great. I’ll likely get to reading it this fall.
Sanita – Thanks for your visit. I have had an interest in the eating disorder/condition for a while. I do believe you can be obsessed with eating healthy. We all have to find balance. And you are right, as long as you are aware and trying you are moving in the right direction. At least that is how I feel about it. 🙂