A Review of In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto By: Michael Pollan

I was first introduced to author Michael Pollan as a talking head in food documentaries such as Food Inc. and King Corn. I was so intrigued by what he had to say, that I decided to learn more by reading one of his books. And it was the title, In Defense of Food that really peaked my interest. It seemed a bit silly at first-why defend food? Haven't we been eating it every day for our whole lives? But as I thought over the documentaries that I'd seen, stressing how we eat a lot of processed, chemical-laden products masquerading as food, I decided he may have a good point.

I wasn't disappointed. Michael Pollan's main point is simple: Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly Plants. But the details behind those seven little words are astounding. As food corporations have had a bigger hand in legislation over our crops, both what is grown and how it's grown, our food supply has gotten less nutritious. Yet, nutritional science has exploded, laying claim every few years to the next breakthrough that will save us all, from "Eat less fats" to "Eat more omega-3s." Many of the so-called foods we ingest are nothing more than processed products that have very little in common with their origins in the fields; and it is this trend towards products with heady nutritional claims on the labels has not made us healthier, but sicker and fatter.

The first two sections of In Defense of Food are a lot to get through; they're loaded with facts that can make you feel overwhelmed at times, but they're all necessary in giving the full picture of our nation's nutritional status. Take these sections in small doses so that you can fully absorb their impact and gain a better overall understanding of what's at stake. However, your reward in getting through these sections comes in section three when everything comes together and you're given answers. Pollan doesn't just showcase the many problems with our "Western Diet;" he provides ample solutions in helping us overcome the age of nutritionism and get back to our food roots.

From advice like "only eat what your great-grandmother would recognize as food" to "avoid all packaged foods that make nutritional claims on the labels," the wisdom is simple to follow, though it may not be easy. I was glad that Michael Pollan acknowledged the fact that good, nutritious food is more expensive, making it harder for some people to purchase. However, even the simple and relatively inexpensive act of planting a small garden is helpful and keeps us connected to real food instead of processed imposters. While it may feel like he's going overboard at times, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto is overall a wonderful guidebook to help us navigate through the overblown claims of nutritionism as we wander through the grocery store. For anyone who cares about health, nutrition, and minimizing risks for all sorts of diseases, this book is a must-read.