Food Rules,: An Eater’s Manual is an interesting, little book by Michael Pollan, book author, contributor to the New York Times Magazine and Professor of Journalism at the University of California at Berkeley.
Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.
Eating doesn’t have to be so complicated. I like this book because the 64 rules are simple and easily remembered long after reading them. Adopting just one rule from each of the book’s three sections would certainly lead to meaningful, healthy changes in your eating habits. So… here my three favorites:
1. Avoid food products containing ingredients that a 3rd-grader can’t pronounce.
Ethoxylated diglycerides? Cellulose? Xanthan gum? Calcium Propionate? Ammonlum sulfate? All are ingredients designed to extend shelf life, make old food look fresher and more appetizing than it really is, and get us to eat more. All indicate a product that is highly processed. I want to eat more whole foods.
2. Treat meat as a flavoring or special occasion food.
While I believe vegetarians are generally more healthy than carnivores, I’m not ready to completely stop eating meat.The rule is “mostly plants, not “only”.
3. Stop eating before you are full.
Don’t ask, “Am I full?, but ” Is my hunger gone?”
Finally, just one more: Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food
I have one simple rule when it comes to food. “Eat whatever Jo puts in front of me without complaint.”
That works!