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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Love love love! Many of my own "food rules" are reflected here-vquite affirming!
So simple and so wise. A reminder to eat like our grandparents and great-grandparents. This book makes me want to plant a garden and eat simply and healthfully.
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
This is nothing new if you've read Pollan's other books. Food Rules is probably best suited to someone new to this concept, although since I'm trying to abide by these policies anyway, it's a good little reference manual to remind me.
This is a quick little handbook of 64 rules designed to help you eat healthier. For me, the author was mostly preaching to the choir -- I am one of the healthiest eaters I know.* But this book still gave me some things to think about:
From the introduction: "Nutrition science is today approximately where surgery was 1650 -- very promising, and very interesting to watch, but are you ready to let them operate on you?" Do you really want scientists creating your food in laboratories and processing plants?
Rule #23: "Treat meat as a flavoring or special occasion." Vegetarians are really healthy, yes, but people who eat meat 2-3 times/week are just as healthy. The author suggests in the least swapping portion sizes: eat a smaller meat portion and a bigger vegetable portion for your meals.
Rule #26: "Drink the spinach water." Okay, maybe not drink it. But he does suggest saving the water you boil veggies in to make soup or sauces with later, because it contains lots of vitamins and minerals.
Rule #43: "Drink a glass of wine with dinner." Imagine! Health benefits to alcohol (not just wine, apparently)! 1 drink for women, 2 for men (so unfair) every day is healthy for you -- especially if you drink while you eat. (This made Ted feel a lot better about his drinking habits, LOL.)
I think many every-day busy Americans would find these rules in their entirety very daunting. Hopefully they read the introduction where the author encourages us to at least adopt one rule from each section of the book.
*BTW, I wasn't always a healthy eater. I was your typical vegetable-hating, junk-food loving, fast-food eating, soda-drinking American until I slowly, over time, phased out the crap. You can do it if you set your mind to it -- your tastes will adjust, and pretty soon you'll be loving those veggies and wondering how you used to tolerate all that sugar and salt. Realizing I was naive to think that "If they sell it, it can't be that bad for you," was key. Also, that I was poisoning my body instead of nourishing it.
From the introduction: "Nutrition science is today approximately where surgery was 1650 -- very promising, and very interesting to watch, but are you ready to let them operate on you?" Do you really want scientists creating your food in laboratories and processing plants?
Rule #23: "Treat meat as a flavoring or special occasion." Vegetarians are really healthy, yes, but people who eat meat 2-3 times/week are just as healthy. The author suggests in the least swapping portion sizes: eat a smaller meat portion and a bigger vegetable portion for your meals.
Rule #26: "Drink the spinach water." Okay, maybe not drink it. But he does suggest saving the water you boil veggies in to make soup or sauces with later, because it contains lots of vitamins and minerals.
Rule #43: "Drink a glass of wine with dinner." Imagine! Health benefits to alcohol (not just wine, apparently)! 1 drink for women, 2 for men (so unfair) every day is healthy for you -- especially if you drink while you eat. (This made Ted feel a lot better about his drinking habits, LOL.)
I think many every-day busy Americans would find these rules in their entirety very daunting. Hopefully they read the introduction where the author encourages us to at least adopt one rule from each section of the book.
*BTW, I wasn't always a healthy eater. I was your typical vegetable-hating, junk-food loving, fast-food eating, soda-drinking American until I slowly, over time, phased out the crap. You can do it if you set your mind to it -- your tastes will adjust, and pretty soon you'll be loving those veggies and wondering how you used to tolerate all that sugar and salt. Realizing I was naive to think that "If they sell it, it can't be that bad for you," was key. Also, that I was poisoning my body instead of nourishing it.
As a food aware person there wasn't a lot new to me here. However, it is beautifully illustrated and accessible to any reader who is interested in reconsidering their eating. Very nice lovely little book with a great message!
A quick overview and explanation of 64 sensible food rules expanding off the seven words: "Eat Food. Not Too Much. Mostly Plants."
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Fatphobia, Terminal illness, Transphobia, Medical content, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Alcohol
This is a Cliffs Notes edition of In Defense of Food. Read it instead.