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My food journey over the past 15 years has been a long and winding road. Now in my 30’s, I finally feel confident in how to approach my relationship with food with some help from, “Food Rules” by Michael Pollan.
I was introduced to the book during a deep dive into answering the many questions I had about healthy eating. Michael Pollan, a journalist on the assignment of answering his own questions about healthy eating, broke it down plain and simple, explaining what and how to eat with the mantra: EAT FOOD. NOT TOO MUCH. MOSTLY PLANTS.
Although much of the information shared in the novel is not his own, Pollan does a great job at organizing the material and making it memorable. Here, in my own words is an honest review after reading the book Food Rules.
What To Expect
Pollan answers the question, “What Should I Eat?” by reiterating individual pieces of traditional wisdom and ancient proverbs. He relays one on each page, in simple and easy to absorb rules, followed by sensible explanation and recommendation.
64 rules make up this easy read and even though most of them are based on common sense you may have already had, this book is deployed in a way that re-establishes the simplicity of everyday eating habits.
Pollan endorses everything in moderation. His wholesome approach to eating is logical and sustainable. Diet culture stands on the platform of health and wellness, promoting restriction and discipline over happiness and balance.
Knowing that not one thing can alter our state immediately, Pollan speaks of habits (dubbed as rules in his book) to adopt that will support your health. Separated in 3 chapters, Pollan covers each portion of his mantra.
The Highlights
The first chapter covers “What Should I Eat?” to which Pollan advises, “Eat Food”. What is food? Pollan explains that real food is harvested from the earth. We should be eating this and not “edible food like substances”.
He tells us to “avoid food products with ingredients no ordinary human would keep in the pantry”. The journalist also cleverly coined the slogan “If it came from a plant, eat it. If it was made in a plant, don’t”.
In the second chapter Pollan goes further with the question “What kind of food should I eat?” The answer is “mostly plants”. This is where the practise of everything in moderation comes in to play.
Yes, he tells you to “eat your colors” and “favour oils / grains that have been traditionally stone-ground”. But he doesn’t say to eat only plants. In fact, rule#23 says to “treat meat as a flavouring or special occasion food” (promoting animal proteins in small portions) and rule#27, which states, “eat animals that have themselves eaten well” (promoting sustainable sourcing).
Pollan tells readers it’s ok to “eat junk food as long as you cook it yourself” with the idea that homemade is healthier and that we are less likely to eat the treats as often for the amount of work required to make them.
Chapter 3, “How Should I Eat?” outlines the practise of eating “not too much”. Well known advice often ignored is brought to light in this part of Food Rules, as we review behaviours to positively influence the eating experience.
Paying more for quality and reducing the quantity of food is the first rule in this chapter addressing the obesity crisis associated with the Western diet. Pollan also counsels to, “stop eating before you’re full” and to “eat when you’re hungry, not when you’re bored”.
Who Is This Book For
If you are someone who has experienced the crazy train of diet culture, I wholeheartedly recommend this book for you. I want you to read this book, which will not take long at all (a few hours at most).
You will realize after reading this book how simple it can be to eat healthy. Establishing an “everything in moderation” mindset will reinforce a relaxed attitude towards food because let’s face it; worrying is not making us any healthier.
This book is for anyone looking for guidance through this forever-evolving science of food and nutrition. Allow Michael Pollan’s Food Rules to return you to the trademark wisdom our ancestors have been passing down through generations.
Humans ate and survived for thousands of years before people told us how to do it the best. Reintroduce yourself to eating with simplicity and balance.
I hope this review of Food Rules entices you to see for yourself. It’s an absolute must read. Click the link below to get your copy now!