The Bible of Foods

Over the past few decades, the Western Diet swept across America influencing many others to join in on the evocative bandwagon. In his book, In Defense of Food, Michael Pollan points out that the Western Diet is the very cause of all the obesity and heart diseases that scientists are trying so hard to prevent. What nutritionists do not realize though is that they “pay far more attention to the chemistry of food than to the sociology or ecology of eating.” (182) Countries other than America have healthier eating habits than Americans do. We, as Americans, have developed a cafeteria diet effect in which we constantly stand back up for more food. To develop better eating habits, Pollan effectively suggests numerous styles to eat healthier that give the logical impression to readers to live a healthier and happier lifestyle.

Pollan finds fault in the Western Diet where one cannot support a healthy lifestyle. To counter this diet, Pollan develops eight ways on how to eat or live a better lifestyle: “Pay more-eat less, eat meals, do all your eating at a table, don’t get your fuel from the same place your car does, try not to eat alone, consult your gut, eat slowly, cook, and if you can, plant a garden.” (183-201) Pollan points out that Americans today are all about efficiency in time, what they do not realize though is that they are speeding up the processes of eating time as well by take-outs at fast food restaurants or snacking throughout the day rather than sitting down and enjoying the “traditional big three.” (188) By snacking throughout the day, Americans have added on an extra meal to the “traditional big three,” most fast food restaurants have fallen into this category; for example, Taco Bell and its “Fourth meal.” Americans even develop new cars that hold bigger cups and refrigerated compartments. However, instead of snacking throughout the day and constantly eating, we can revert back to the traditional three meal day; through this, Pollan states that we can live a healthier and happier life. This is where his concept of “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants” comes in. “How can we change our ways?” According to Pollan, the dinner table is where manners and the “art of conversation” is taught and developed. On top of that, head of the tables (i.e. parents) can determine “portion sizes, model eating and drinking behavior, and enforce social norms about greed gluttony and waste.” (189) Through this we can change our eating habits and slow down in life to take in the food slowly instead of America’s favorite motto of “faster, faster, FASTER!”

Pollan’s logic in his argument is undeniable. With all these extra chemicals and sweets added into our diet, it is no wonder why many Americans are obese. Americans have adopted the Western Diet and yet they still do not see what is causing this obesity and heart disease. Pollan points out that this diet is actually rebuking the growth of our society. When one realizes what the Western Diet has done to the society, he/she realizes that Pollan’s choice is the right choice.