Post 1: Response to In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan

Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food, begins to propose ideas as to what we should really be putting into our bodies. He starts by trying to connect with his readers on a personal level through his own opinions. In the introduction, Pollan touches on the "Western Diet," informing readers this is a reason that many Americans are overweight. The first section of the novel goes on to explain more about the history of nutrients and why nutrients are so significant for a healthy body. Pollan clarifies what nutritionism is and how particular foods we see in the supermarket today are being replaced. The first section of In Defense of Food starts to offer alternate ways of eating through stating various facts about what and how most Americans eat.

Pollan makes clear the difference between nutrition and nutritionism in the first section of his novel. He states in regards to nutritionism, "the key to understanding food is indeed the nutrient. Put another way: Foods are essentially the sum of their nutrient parts" (28). I definitely agree with this statement and believe that many individuals don't take the time to actually think about what they are putting into their bodies. The goal of nutritionism is that the point of eating should be to promote and maintain your health. I believe it is very important to watch what you eat and try to eat those foods that make you a healthier person.

Another point covered in the first section of In Defense of Food has to do with certain foods being replaced in the supermarket. Pollan gives the example of margarine replacing butter. He explains that margarine is butter with the bad nutrients removed and good nutrients added. Experts comment on this particular site and here the experts actually compare butter and margarine and provide facts regarding both products. When thinking about many of the foods one sees today at the supermarket, other examples of these "fake" foods come to mind and i agree with what Pollan has stated regarding the replacement of foods nowadays.