In Defense of Food

I just finished reading In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. Much of the book is devoted to the somewhat controversial discussion of "nutritionism." He aims to educate readers on eating food that is real, prepared from whole and original food stuffs. In other words, if it's wrapped in plastic and has more than five ingredients, any of which you don't recognize or can't pronounce, peel your hungry little nubs of fingers away. It's not to be reckoned with due to their false impersonations. They are more than likely only imitations of that thing we call food and rely upon for our survival.

I enjoyed the more applicable part of his book that came in the third and final section. I often struggle with validating the amount of money I spend on our household food. But Pollan makes the point:
"Is it just a coincidence that as the portion of our income spent on food has declined, spending on health care has soared? In 1960 Americans spent 17.5 percent of their income on food and 5.2 percent of national income on health care. Since then, those numbers have flipped: Spending on food has fallen to 9.9 percent, while spending on health care has climbed to 16 percent of national income. I have to think that by spending a little more on healthier food we could reduce the amount we have to spend on health care."

So now's the time, spring in tow, to research and find a local CSA- Community Supported Agriculture- where you can buy a share and in return gain a diverse and delicious assortment of fruits and vegetables. And maybe this is even the year that you plant a few herbs or a couple varieties of tomatoes!