Pollan's In Defense of Food

[agraham999]

Whose read it...impressions?

[still learning]

Read it some months ago. As usual, Pollan writes well. Pollan has distilled thoughts developed in the course of writing in previous work such as The Omnivore's Dilemma and presented them in a short book.

If you're familiar with that work, you might not really need to read the newer book though, just look at three phrases. They are: Eat food; Not too much if it; Mostly from plants. Eat food, not "foodlike substances", Pollan recommends. No Twinkies. Not too much, your personal health better if you aren't obese. Our national health would be better if we didn't eat so much. Mostly from pants, the world's health, our national health, maybe our personal health would be better if we didn't produce and consume so much meat. DB

[agraham999]

Here's' a good video of Pollan speaking at the google:

[Ashtanga]

I haven't read Omnivore's Dilemma (although I plan to), but I really enjoyed In Defense of Food. I'm finding that even months later, when I'm making food-related decisions, I hear a little Pollan-voice in my head: 'do you know what that ingredient is? Do you really want to eat that?' There are a lot of factors that influence what I eat, but I definitely think this book influenced me for the better. I still have a long way to go, though.

[cookie]

this book is on my "too read list"

but im just wondering - is this book more about food from a health point of view or sustainable point of view? and which one of his books should i read first?? thanks

[Ashtanga]

but im just wondering - is this book more about food from a health point of view or sustainable point of view? and which one of his books should i read first?? thanks

As for the focus of the book, I would say both. The first part of the book is mostly about how North America acquired its current food culture, and some of the impacts of industrial agriculture, etc. I would say overall, its probably more about health, but I think the great thing about Pollan is he plainly shows how our health is so intricately linked with the health of our environment.
I haven't read Omnivore's Dilemma, so I can't really say which to read first. I have heard, though, that OD is a bit more technical, so maybe start with IDOF, I found it an easy read.

[forexsystemprofi]

After watching this guy I think I must read Omnivore's Dilemma...

[ununderstood]

I completely agree with Ashtanga. Every time I pick up something to eat, I'm countin ingredients, and trying to pronounce things. And it's caught on...my friends will call me any time of day and say "You won't believe what has High Fructose Corn Syrup in it! (Pickles?!)"
I actually picked up this book because of the incredible impact that Omnivore's Dilemma had on me. While Defense of Food is mostly targeted towards our diet, from as sustainable as well as a healthy point of view, Dilemma shows the whole cycle. I've got all his other books on my wishlist for Christmas, and I can't wait to dig in.