The American Paradox Pollan Analysis

In Pollan’s essay “The American Paradox”, he defines the American Paradox and discusses how to fix the American diet. He explains how too many unhealthy Americans are preoccupied and obsessed with nutrition facts and the idea of eating healthy. He also mentions that the food industry, nutrition science, and journalism are the parties that have been the cause of this confusion about eating healthy. He thinks that worrying about nutrition facts and living a so called “healthy” lifestyle is the wrong way Americans think about eating today. I agree with Pollan’s argument because focusing on nutrition facts and dietary foods can mislead the consumer and create some health problems. These nutrition facts can be misleading to the consumer. According to the International Food Information Council’s (IFIC) 2012 Food & Health Survey, 61 percent of people are influenced by the healthfulness of foods and drinks when buying food. …show more content…
People can agree that eating healthy is important for good health, but is it a good thing to eat too many healthy products? An article from Today says that eating too many healthy products can lead to mental stress. When people start to eat healthy, some people start to become obsessed on the idea to eat super healthy in order to have a perfect body. They start to try to become a “perfect” eater (Orthorexics). This can also lead to being socially isolated. Since these Orthorexics become obsessed with nutrition facts and super healthy foods that they won’t go eat at restaurants or other food places if they aren’t the ones preparing the food. Orthorexics may also become depressed, develop low self esteem or might become obsessed to be perfectionists, to get some control over their lives (Today). But, instead of them getting some control over their lives, their obsession on healthy foods takes over their lives. Consumers always have to be conscious on what they eat all the