Food Rules by Michael Pollan

139 pages

"Eating doesn't have to be so complicated. In this age of ever-more elaborate diets and conflicting health advice, Food Rules  brings a welcome simplicity to our daily decisions about food. Written with the clarity, concision, and wit that has become bestselling author Michael Pollan's trademark, this indispensable handbook lays out a set of straightforward, memorable rules for eating wisely, one per page, accompanied by a concise explanation. It's an easy-to-use guide that draws from a variety of traditions, suggesting how different cultures through the ages have arrived at the same enduring wisdom about food. Whether at the supermarket or an all-you-can-eat buffet, this is the perfect guide for anyone who ever wondered, 'What should I eat?'" -Back Cover

I really, really enjoyed this book because the author doesn't promote a certain lifestyle (vegetarian, vegan, etc.) but he does promote moderation. The last page in the book says, "'All things in moderation,' it is often said, but we should never forget the wise addendum, sometimes attributed to Oscar Wilde: 'Including moderation.'" It's all about eating less and eating better. He gives food recommendations in language that is easy to understand broken down into three sections: What should I eat? (Eat food.) What kind of food should I eat? (Mostly plants.) How should I eat? (Not too much.)

The first section talks about eating food that is natural, has ingredients you can recognize, and isn't processed. He mentions that you should shop the perimeter at the grocery store where you tend to find the natural foods, versus the middle of the store where you find the processed foods. There's a lot of sound advice about sugars and natural foods.

The second section talks about eating more plants and whole grains but doesn't rule out the health benefits of meat in small portions and not every day. He quotes a great Chinese proverb that states, "Eating what stands on one leg (mushrooms and plant foods) is better than eating what stands on two legs (fowl), which is better than eating what stands on four legs (cows, pigs, and other mammals)."

The third section covers eating less. He talks about not depriving yourself of treats, but rather preparing them yourself and eating them only on special occasions. He writes about how we should leave the table before we're completely full and eat slower and in smaller portions. He suggests buying smaller plates and cups.

This book is witty and contains very good, sound advice which I will try to do better at following. I really liked the comparison of the Western diet with that of the French or Italian diet and what makes the Western diet so bad for us. It's all about our relationship with food and what we use it for. I'll definitely read this book again and would highly recommend it.