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I bought this book to read for my book club. I probably wouldn't have ever picked it out on my own, but I have enjoyed reading it. It hasn't necessarily made me change what I eat on a grand scale, but I do think about the choices I make more. I found a lot of the book was very repetetive. The author made his point in a few chapters but then continued for many, many more. I would recommend it for anyone who eats (hey that's everybody), because it makes you think about the food you eat. The premise is simple...eat food, not to much, mostly plants.
This is an interesting book. Even if you aren't terribly compelled to eat "clean" or interested in the why's and how's our grocery stores are stocked with food, you will find this book so easy to read, it will have been worth your time. You will definitely learn some compelling facts that just may change your thoughts about our western diets. I also bought his book, The Omnivore's Dilemma. I haven't read it yet.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
After reading and enjoying Michael Pollen's "The Omnivores Dilemma", I wanted to hear more of what Pollen had to say about the American food industry. I can honestly say that this is the most common sense book I've ever read about food. Like Omnivores Dilemma, he discusses some of the problems in our food supply, but in this book he goes into more detail as to how our modern diets affect us. This isn't a diet book where you are told what to eat and how to lose weight. Pollen simply states the obvious : Eat real food. This sounds like an easy task, after all we eat several meals a day. However, this is proving to be one of the most difficult chores I have ever undertaken. Next time you are in the grocery store, read the ingredients of any food you are about to purchase. As Pollen suggests, if your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize it, you probably shouldn't be putting it in your body. If this concept intrigues you, then you will find "In Defense of Food" fascinating. Pollen is an excellent author and I was unable to put this book down. I made my husband read it and he read it all in one sitting. (and he hates books about food!) I have lent it to several friends who have all raved about it. For anyone eating the typical American diet, or even those who try to eat healthy or natural, this is a must-read.Read full review
Pollan's book makes me recollect a marketing prof who peppered his lectures with his interests in nutrition here at Virginia Commonwealth University way back in the late '60s. That's where I first heard "The White Deaths", "Don't eat anything the microbes don't want", and other sentiments about food that Mr Pollan repeats and reinforces with science. I discovered I'm 'prediabetic' early, learned early to control 'reactive hypoglycemia' with diet to keep my pilot's medical certificate, and have generally tended toward a diet like Mr Pollan recommends, flavored with Dr Atkins' teaching that fat might be OK without the heavy dose of carbs most take alongside, and a liking for a 'Mediterranean diet' to mix my oils. I'm about 60 now, not diabetic yet, get back good lipid #s too, and will continue to eat like Pollan recommends, except meat's not a condiment in this house. I'm distressed to relate than in the past decade several friends have blimped up and suffer effects of 'metabolic syndrome', their eating habits the antithesis of what's stated so well In Defense of Food. It's a delight to relate, following a recent reunion, that none of those affected by the same marketing prof back then are afflicted with anything worse than greying hair, and they're sure not suffering from that either. If this testimonial helps others I'm pleased. This book's not filled with brand-new facts, and it is certainly not just a restatement of old stuff. It is a quick read, an entertaining presentation of stuff I've believed for 40 years mixed with new facts I hadn't heard yet. I've got Omnivore's Dilemma on order...Read full review
What I love about this book is that it does not promote any of the diet books that are out on the market right now. Mr. Pollan is telling us in a plain and simple way that we need to go back to nature, wholesome foods and forget about dieting! He promotes things I heard growing up but didn't pay attention to..... Don't over-eat but chew your food slowly and most importantly, enjoy what you are eating. The American people eat too much processed food which leads to being overweight and health problems. The food industry tries to artificially improve our foods and claims they have the same nutritional value as natural foods, but the truth is they are different as night and day. Food shows and books lean toward pushing us into preparing 20 to 30 minute meals. Most of those meals need processed foods to make them quick and in using these foods we are leaving out the nutritional content and adding big calories Pollan's book is an eye-opener. Refined foods are a real danger. We deserve better for ourselves so we can maintain our health and live better. It doesn't take that much longer to prepare a healthy meal. I highly recommend this book. None of us is perfect, but thinking about the food you just picked up to put in your mouth can make a world of difference down the line on our health.Read full review
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