Thank you Michael Pollan. You’ve researched the heck out of the western diet to show us just why we’re growing fatter the more we try to eat healthier foods. I’ll have no trouble now giving up processed foods as often as I can, especially any of those with fructose near the top of the ingredient list. I’ll have more trouble swapping meat for leaves... but maybe if I can just make leaves one of the main veggies on my plate every time I eat, that will be a step in the right direction. After reading your book, I ran down to the grocery store and came home with a bunch of red kale, a bunch of watercress, and a box of baby spinach and arugula. I found some simple recipes, and the kale and watercress were delicious. Tonight we start in on the box of mixed greens. Who knew they were good sources of omega-3... a fat? Better yet, I learned that although omega-3 may be really good for us, it’s not the whole story - there are likely interactions with other unknowns in the leaves that account for their effectiveness in regulating our good health. It all makes good sense, completely, especially the way you explain it. Foods are such complex biochemical systems that it’s no wonder scientists are still straightening it all out. It appears they have much farther to go before they can advise us on the best eating patterns for good health. Going back to eating like our parents and grandparents did definitely means getting back into the kitchen... and spending more time at the table with our families. I like that idea. Let’s put culture back into agriculture and tradition back into family life.

All there is to know about food today. It is a enjoyable book with valuable information about what we eat and what we SHOULD eat. If you are too lazy to read through the 256 pages, just read Food Rules by the same author which is a summary of this entire book.

I enjoyed this book cover to cover. Michael Pollan's sensible approach to eating really made sense. He talks about how little we know about "nutrition" and how our body processes food. If you are looking for a book to teach yourself about eating well and get off the diet wagon this is it.

thur am bk club august 2011 rate 4

I really enjoyed this book by Michael Pollan. He not only writes in clear, journalistic style, his inclusion of other cultural, social, and evolutionary factors into why American is facing an obesity epidemic makes his argument richer and more compelling. Although I do disagree with some of the logic behind the statistics he offers, I fully applaud his approach to this subject and desire to encourage the health of the overall American populace and the environment.

suresh.. this one first, if I like, read omnivores dilemma

Fascinating book, relevant content. I listened to the audio version. This book is thought provoking without a doubt.

What the author says makes sense to me and I agree completely...it's just I found this book boring to read. Was it his style? My frame of mind? Eh,who knows. Might try again later..

an interesting book, lots of common sense information. the book club at Woodcroft discussed this book and it was a great book club! the librarian running it did a great job organizing it and had other materials ready to check out.

A fantastic, informative book that provides a critical look at our modern food culture. Pollan explores the Western World's self-destructive eating patterns that have laden the first world with preventable illness & disease. He promotes healthful, sustainable eating and provides a wealth of suggestions as to how to achieve the best diet possible (shop the perimeter of the supermarket, don't eat anything that comes in a box) without resorting to bullying the reader into a fad of vegetarianism or vegan lifestyle. Pollan's rules are simple: Eat food. Mostly Plants. Not too much! Everyone eats, and therefore everyone should read this book.