Pollan's bestseller In Defense of Food argues that a more healthy and fulfilling diet can be achieved by rejecting the Western diet and adapting practices similar to those of ones ancestors. Pollan's book is both convincing and intriguing. He uses scientific facts, data, and research to draw conclusions for his argument. He supports the shift away from the fast food culture and a way of establishing healthier habits through eating more plants and organic products. Pollan proposes old ideology in order to fix the Western diet.
Pollan finds fault in the Western diet's inability to breed a healthy society. He argues that the glamour of the Western diet has “overwhelmed the force of tradition” and has allowed the media and marketing techniques to tell consumers what to eat (Pollan, 133). His simple plan is to choose tradition over new theories. The new ideas of the Western diet have caused a global pandemic in the making in the form of Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, and kidney problems (Pollan, 136).
Pollan recognizes the difficulties associated with changing this terrible diet. It is now necessary to change the people's way of thinking and their attitude towards food. The industry has even ingratiated itself into the territory of whole foods, thus causing issues in trying to find sustenance that is truly healthy. People must now understand the concept of finding and preparing food, rather than using the quick, cheap, and unhealthy ways of the fast food world. Society must now “go backwards” in the foods eaten (Pollan, 145). In addition to the actual foods being eaten, habits must change. Pollan suggests that consumers follow his rules of eating mostly plants, not eating foods that make health claims, and avoiding foods that are unfamiliar or containing hard-to-pronounce ingredients. Choosing to shop at farmer's markets and on the peripheries of the supermarket can also lead to healthier eating habits. The farmer's markets are full of non-processed foods and organic fruits and vegetables. The peripheries of the supermarket are where the fruits and vegetables are placed, which is where Pollan encourages shoppers to venture (Pollan 148-158).
The main argument of In Defense of Food is upheld by Pollan's research and the countless facts provided throughout the book. He shows specific facts and provides a twenty-page list of sources at the end of the book, all of which are credible when researched. Also, the writing style is very effective. He starts his paragraphs with solid arguments, then provides details to make his points more established. Pollan's overall writing style intrigues the reader and keeps a consistent flow throughout the book. Pollan also creates a sense of ethos for his argument by adding three pages of praise for In Defense of Food, which show how critically acclaimed his work truly is.
Michael Pollan's book argues that the Western diet has led consumers into a troubling and unhealthy existence and can be fixed via healthy choices and eating “real” food. He suggests that people choose plants (specifically leaves) over processed and hormone-induced foods. As a writer, Pollan's credibility is established by the overwhelming amount of praise in the beginning of the book as well as his inordinate amount of research. He teaches the public how to properly eat and the harmful effects of the Western diet. Pollan has fully succeeded as a research journalist and educator through this bestseller.
Pollan, Michael. In Defense of Food. New York, New York: Penguin Group, 2009. Print.
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