Monday, April 23, 2012

In Defense of Food

In Defense of Food  by Michael Pollan


I am so glad I listened to this book on Audio.  I had been wanting to read it for a VERY long time. It's not what I though it would be. It is packed with great, up to date acurate information and statistics about nutrition, but what I didn't expect is that Pollan argues we need to take food back from the food industry and from science (nutritionism) and take pleasure in eating.
It is very much an antinutritionist book. Food is not fuel, he writes, it's a form of communion with other people. It's not about trying to eat certain nutrients, but about the entire meal.  He argues, with evidence, to chose the food experience over calories.

He expands on things we have all heard before, like eat less.  The pros for eating less are increadibly strong;
1.  Calorie restiction slows aging
2.  Single stronglest link bewteen  diet and prevention of cancer
       -eating to much promotes cell division and promotes it in most dramatically in cancer cells
       -cutting back on calories slows cell division
3.  Eating less stiffles production of free radicals.

Altough there were a few slow parts during the audio when I got a little boarded most of the time I was inthawled.  There is nothing boaring about;
-clear evidence on the links between the western diet and heart disease and diabetes.
-the effects our food have on the health of our teeth.

Some changes I want to make after listening to this book;
1. Increase the social exprience of the family meal; slow down to eat, take long leisury meals. Do I still want to make the children finish everything on their plate?
2. Snack less (and encourage less snacking with the children)
3. Stop eating in the car so often.
4. Cut out processed foods in my diet
So if you want to listen you can order your copy through amazon, here's the link
http://www.amazon.com/In-Defense-Food-Eaters-Manifesto/dp/0143142747/ref=tmm_abk_title_0