How do we resolve the American health crisis? Avoid anything that has been processed is what Michael Pollan says. He argues that people who consume typical Western diets are prone to more chronic diseases, such as; obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and hypertension. Michael Pollan the author of, "Escape from the Western Diet" argues the remedy to our health crisis is to transform to a diet of non-processed, organic, local, homegrown food. Pollan believes in a basic, more historically traditional diet. While Pollan brings up many valid points of healthy dieting, author David Shapin of, "What Are You Buying When You buy Organic?", and David Freedman, author of, "How Junk Food Can End Obesity" offer opposing arguments of sustainability.
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While I recognize Shapin and Freedman's arguments of un-sustainability and impracticality, I am in strong agreement with Pollan's position. He claims the most effective solution to the Western health crisis is to end our reliance on processed food, and move to a moderate healthy consumption of natural food.
Pollan proposes that eliminating the typical western diet is the solution to the American health crisis, and I'm in complete agreement. He says, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants" (426). Pollan states, "Eat food" because there are many people who are not able to differentiate between what is considered "real" food. Anything with a label, or anything that has been processed to an extent is not considered "real" or "natural" food. What makes processing so dangerous is the plethora of chemicals and additives that are unnaturally being put into our meals. Many chemicals used to preserve food allow companies to export more of their products without them spoiling. Preservatives and many processing methods are harmful to the human body, which is why I believe Pollan wants to avoid them entirely. The "Not …show more content…
Pollan's more rigid ideas of eliminating all processed food would leave too many people with less to eat. The author Shapin says, "…[S]ustainably grown and locally produced organic food is expensive" (439). Shapin is right. Organic food is sustainable for a smaller population. If one was to strip an area of all fast & processed food, that area of people would be forced to adapt. People would not necessarily be adapting for the better, but there would be people unable to afford their meals. Some would say that processed food is essential to the population. One such author is Freedman, who states, "there is simply no clear, credible evidence that any aspect of food processing or storage makes a food uniquely unhealthy" (518). What Freedman means is that all the accusations that processed and fast food are entirely bad for people, isn't exactly true. Freedman goes on to say, that there are many outside factors not being taken into account. A person hardly ever sees, or hears, of a person who is nutrient or vitamin deficient, that's thanks to fast food. Freedman believes that while wholesome food is much cleaner, the fast-food industry is positioned to improve our diets. Processed, and cheaply made food is what feeds the lower-class. While it may be effective to reduce issues such as malnutrition, or vitamin deficiency, eliminating processed food
While I recognize Shapin and Freedman's arguments of un-sustainability and impracticality, I am in strong agreement with Pollan's position. He claims the most effective solution to the Western health crisis is to end our reliance on processed food, and move to a moderate healthy consumption of natural food.
Pollan proposes that eliminating the typical western diet is the solution to the American health crisis, and I'm in complete agreement. He says, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants" (426). Pollan states, "Eat food" because there are many people who are not able to differentiate between what is considered "real" food. Anything with a label, or anything that has been processed to an extent is not considered "real" or "natural" food. What makes processing so dangerous is the plethora of chemicals and additives that are unnaturally being put into our meals. Many chemicals used to preserve food allow companies to export more of their products without them spoiling. Preservatives and many processing methods are harmful to the human body, which is why I believe Pollan wants to avoid them entirely. The "Not …show more content…
Pollan's more rigid ideas of eliminating all processed food would leave too many people with less to eat. The author Shapin says, "…[S]ustainably grown and locally produced organic food is expensive" (439). Shapin is right. Organic food is sustainable for a smaller population. If one was to strip an area of all fast & processed food, that area of people would be forced to adapt. People would not necessarily be adapting for the better, but there would be people unable to afford their meals. Some would say that processed food is essential to the population. One such author is Freedman, who states, "there is simply no clear, credible evidence that any aspect of food processing or storage makes a food uniquely unhealthy" (518). What Freedman means is that all the accusations that processed and fast food are entirely bad for people, isn't exactly true. Freedman goes on to say, that there are many outside factors not being taken into account. A person hardly ever sees, or hears, of a person who is nutrient or vitamin deficient, that's thanks to fast food. Freedman believes that while wholesome food is much cleaner, the fast-food industry is positioned to improve our diets. Processed, and cheaply made food is what feeds the lower-class. While it may be effective to reduce issues such as malnutrition, or vitamin deficiency, eliminating processed food