Although Pollan’s theory seems simple to follow, it lacks depth regarding the specific ways one can follow the theory’s three points. If, as he notes himself, the industry capitalizes on people’s diets, how do we determine the actual nutritious values of the “unprocessed” food that we buy? Consuming “mostly plants” cannot be bad for one’s health, but it may also suggest neglect of other vital macronutrients such as protein and fats (Pollan 630). The theory’s points being too general suggests reductionism to Pollan’s approach. In this way, his diet plan integrates with the other diets he criticizes himself.
Mary Maxfield wisely points out the arising paradox. She calls for a more natural attitude towards eating: “Food is ethically neutral…notions of…healthy and unhealthy are projected onto it by culture” (Maxfield 645). By neutralizing food, Maxfield accentuates the idea that eating should be done by instinct, not books – one should stop counting calories and instead enjoy the process. Other than that, the author suggests no direct correlation between weight and the type of food eaten (“fundamental flaws behind perceptions of fatness, diet, and health,” Maxfield 643), an idea that is also reflected in Freedman’s article. David Freedman, as noted, does not believe processed foods to be worse than healthier options. In the end, these two points of view disprove Pollan’s theory in terms of its usefulness in the real world. In my opinion, we should follow Maxfield’s principle to appreciate food instead of limiting ourselves to Pollan’s “diet.”
Even though Michael Pollan’s 3-rule diet may appear very limiting, he makes an interesting point in comparing our modern diets to what our ancestors ate. However, evolution has changed many things, including our preferences and even digestive abilities, so going back would be counter-productive, as Pollan himself suggests: “…without going back to the bush” (Pollan 627). Instead of switching food choices, perhaps we could learn from our ancestors by only eating when we feel hungry, not bored. Food accessibility in most households has led to more instances of binge-eating. It is also nearly impossible to only consume organic products and hope for maximum nutritional values; hence, one might as well shop in a regular store.
Work Cited
Pollan, Michael. “Escape from the Western Diet.” They Say, I say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing: With Readings, edited by W.W. Norton, 2018, pp. 624-631.