In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto

"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

Michael Pollan's latest book "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto" does not disappoint. In fact, one of the things that I like most about it, is that he is pro-food, and pro-enjoyment of food. That is, as long as it's "real" food.

In the end, he boils down his argument to: Avoid food products containing ingredients that are:
1. Unfamiliar
2. Unpronounceable
3. That have more than five ingredients
4. That include high-fructose corn syrup.

Reasons to avoid food that isn't "real food"?

1. Chemical additives and corn and soy derivatives.
2. These additives lie to your body: artificial colors and flavors, synthetic sweeteners and novel fats confound the senses that we rely on to assess new foods and prepare our bodies to eat them.

The book also is an easy read of good nutrition advice. Sure you've heard that you're supposed to eat Omega fatty acids. But do you know the difference between Omega 3's (from fish and green plants) and Omega 6's (from seeds - processed foods, corn fed cattle). Omega 3's have been show to play an important role in mental function and a reduction in depression, suicide and homicide. They also tend to dampen the inflamation response while Omega 6's tend to exite it. Why is it important to know the difference? Too many Omega 6's will override the positive benefit of the Omega 3's. Therefore, merely adding Omega-3s by supplements (which I do), may not do much good unless we also reduce the high levels of Omega-6s.

And who knew that the butter vs. margarine debate involved the Omega fatty acids? Margarine, man's attempt to out-design nature, introduces trans fats to the diet and significantly increases Omega-6's at the cost of Omega 3's.

But mostly, Pollan just makes the simple argument for food that is local, organic, unprocessed and beef that is grass fed. If you take his advice, you will not only feel better but you will also find the food more enjoyable.