Nutrition Paper Based on, In Defense of Food

The most common dilemma

The most common dilemma that humans face today is deciding what to eat; some understand nutrition and amount, while others are apathetic about food. In a single day, we make over 200 dietary choices, the majority of which are unwittingly made. Food technology has manipulated food properties to achieve the desired texture, scent, and color. Many individuals have died as a result of consuming processed foods, and some have acquired chronic diseases. This paper employs Trimble’s writing strategies to examine key points in Michael Pollan’s novel, In Defense of Food. The book explores comparatively traditional food habits and the modern foods, Pollan expresses his concern for the modern food habits and how it has resulted in health problems and economic situations. Pollan has a suggestion that scientists do not provide people with the right answer to their most crucial question of the right food to eat.

About Michael Pollan

Michael Pollan is an American journalist, author, professor, and activist born on Long Island, New York. He spent his youth in Long Island and attended Columbia University in 1981. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in English from Columbia University and resides in Bay Area with his wife and son. Michael Pollan has written plenty of articles, essays, and books on food. His book, “In defense of food”, was nominated for the Academy Awards. He has received many awards for his literary writings. The Washington Post wrote that in ”In defense of food”, Pollan successfully persuaded Western people on the negative effects of their diet on their health. The New York Times said that his book advanced the fact that trying to narrow down food to its components, results in trimming of its most essential nutrients. Pollan quickly became a best-selling author with the New York Times in the Non-Fiction list for almost two months.

Journalists and scientists who support Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Journalists and scientists who support Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), have accused his work of being prejudiced against GMO’s. At some point, Pollan said that it is very difficult to scientifically study food, and began to advise people on diet from the approach of nutritional research.

In Defense of Food

In 1977, a committee established to eradicate malnutrition and chronic diseases, advised Americans to reduce their intake of dairy products and red meat, though the committee later retreated that statement after heavy criticism from meat and dairy businessmen. Pollan seems to have been studying foods and eating habits of Americans, he released In Defence of Food, An Eaters Manifesto in 1975. This book covered a critical view on food science, natural food and eating habits that he considered rational. He suggested that ”Eat more of the right ones, few of the wrong ones, and you will live longer, avoid chronic diseases, and lose weight” (20). He wrote this book specifically to address the question that he saw conflicting that is the best foods to eat, considering nutrition and health. The book advised the population to ”choose meats, poultry, and fish that will reduce saturated-fat intake” (Pollan 23). He advocated for a beautiful, economical and practical eating style and traditional foods that people have been eating for thousands of years: vegetables, meat, fish, grains, and fruits.

The Value of Pollan’s Book

In his book, Pollan circled a critical thesis of introduction of food science in the eating system that has brought more negative effects on health. In reality, increased belief in science has actualy brought about some harm. Pollan comes up with a different knowledge and science, he criticizes the main idea in food science that is centered in nutritionism. He argued against studying the constituent nutrient of food as the only way forward, he says that nutritionists aim at finding an, ”x factor” (178). This means that scientist wants a compound that would be sufficient for health.

Science according to scientists

Science according to scientists is a process that enables people to understand the world and improve it, it involve using observation and experiments and forming an hypothesis that can be refined by several experiments. In this context, Pollan suggests other nutritional ways that encouraged reduction in fat consumption. He contradicts the guidelines for low fat consumption by many scientists who argue that consumption of carbohydrates increases fat accumulation.

In this context, Pollan explains the current western diet as nutrient based

In this context, Pollan explains the current western diet as nutrient based. He refers to what people eat today as products of food science and not natural products. In Michael Pollan’s In Defense of food, Pollan suggests new ways to solve the food problem that many people face. His clear manifesto shows how individuals should start making some important decisions about what they eat in order to add value to life and revive the pleasure of eating. Pollan explains that ”to entertain seriously the proposition that processed foods of any kind are a big part of the problem” (141). He suggests that a traditional diet would be more efficient.

Nutritionism can be defined as

Nutritionism can be defined as ”namely, that we should understand and engage with food and our bodies in terms of their nutritional and chemical constituents and requirements—the assumption being that this is all we need to understand” (Pollan 27-28).

Literature Review

Food and nutrition have been an interest of many recently. Scholars, dietary nutritionists and health specialists have had an interest in determining the best foods that can impact positively on the health of individuals. Biologist suggested that a balanced diet should consist of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and mineral salts, however, this seems not enough to answer the question that people normally ask ”what should I eat”. Soumya D & Aliya Siddiqui A (2011), explains about the concern about nutrition and good health. He points that nutrition is the key to a healthy body, individuals consume different kinds of foods however it is recommended that food preparation should follow natural ways of food preparation. Some foods taken improperly may cause.

Nutrition

Nutrition is described as the consumption of food substances by the human body and the physical and chemical breakdown processes that take place in the body. It also involves the nutrients that are required by the body to maintain body working processes. Past research has encouraged people to get knowledge on nutrition as it is considered crucial to staying healthy, good nutrition is considered to result in good health and prevents nutrient related ailments. Proper diet is important as it works against some dangerous diseases like cancer and arthritis.

A healthy nutrition includes

A healthy nutrition includes starchy foods, foods rich in fiber, low fat, vitamins, and minerals. It also includes consumption of a lot of fluids, water helps in digestion. Essential nutrients required in the body should also be taken in specific quantities.

The Right Food to Eat

Michael Pollan seemed to criticize what people eat, he advocated for less food and mostly plants. This makes Michael Pollan an appealing author, with the various questions that individuals, nutritionists, and researchers had about food and the right food to eat. Pollan had an idea. Pollan states that “we’re consuming edible food-like substances, no longer the product of nature but of food science” (2). He acknowledges the difference that exists between food and food products and gives a tip of not eating what our ancestors would not consider being food. Critically, Pollan understands the current dietary contents, consisting of processed foodstuffs, he criticizes this by suggesting that people should eat foods that our ancestors would have considered to be food, that is mostly plants and unprocessed food.

Not too Much Food

Most discussions that researchers have based on major of low fats or carbohydrates in the body, some may include excess sugar, mineral salts, and health related issues. Pollan suggests that maybe, individuals are eating too much. He criticizes food consumption based on science and culture. Cultures have got ways of moderating people’s appetite. Pollan suggests that an individual knows when full and should not stop before reaching that capacity. Pollan explains that this would reduce caloric intake.

Why Eat Mostly Plants

Processed food has become the habit of many individuals, this is because they are readily available and maybe edible on the sport. Pollan, however, explains the importance of eating mostly plant. He evidences that eating mainly vegetables and fruits can help prevent dangerous diseases like cancer, diabetes and even control weight. He advises that people should avoid processed foods.

Conclusion

Food is vital to human existence and survival. The human body requires nutrients for growth and to overcome some coronary diseases. Not all foods are good for the human body, sufficient and quality nutrition is required for good health. This research analyzes Michael Pollan’s book ”In defense of food,” and comes up with ideas and suggestions on the best foods to eat that can ensure healthy human survival. Science indicates that proper nutrition consists of food elements of vitamins, carbohydrates, and proteins. All these elements are necessary; however, the proportion of such nutrients is also taken into account. Pollan suggests not too much food, this means that the body requires only a proportion that it can easily process. Excess consumption of some food stuff is harmful to human life as it can lead to some diseases.

The risk of lifestyle chronic diseases can be easily prevented

The risk of lifestyle chronic diseases can be easily prevented by eating the right food and in the right quantities. Food science has come up with simple ways of combining nutrients and coming up with complex foods with all nutrients requirement, such foods like processed meat, bacon, and margarine, among others. These foods have been considered unhealthy by most scholars who are supporting natural nutrient requirement. Biologists argue that beacon can cause coronary cancer. Michael Pollan, however, creates a scenic criticism on foods created in this process. He says that humans require natural foods, mainly plants. He argued against the nutrition perfection of food science. Pollan’s argument is useful to the real world since, with the introduction of these nutritionally perfected foods, diet-related complications have emerged and is now the main concern to most people.

Works Cited

Pollan, Michael. In defense of food: An eater’s manifesto. Penguin, 2008.Web. Accessed 11 March 2017

Soumya, D., and A. A. Siddiqui. ”A prime concern on good nutrition versus good health.” Journal of Food Processing and Technology 2.6 (2011). Web. Accessed 13 March 2017.

Tacorda, Jo Anne Mallari. We Are What We Eat: Cultivating Well-being and Happiness through Sustainable Food Systems. Diss. University of Toronto, 2015. Web. Accessed 16 March 2017.

Trimble, John R. ”Writing with style.” Englewood Cliffs, NT: Prentice-Hall (1975).

www.michaelpollan.com/press-kit/. Web. Accessed 12 March 2017.