I just finished reading this book written by Michael Pollan. I started the book today. It is a short, clean read about eating that I struggled to put down. He takes a practical approach to eating that I think should be required reading not only for folks looking to lose weight, but everyone who eats in this country.

Pollan earlier work on food, ‘”In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto”, was written about the Western Diet and the danger it poses to all of us. I will likely add this to the to-read section of my book shelf. He summarizes the book in Food Rules, with the following statement:

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

This serves as the basis for the book. He presents his advice on eating in three sections echoing the statement above. What makes this book fun, is that he gives his advice in chapter form using simple rules, in the form of statement and “old world” advice, that allow you to implement right now. No nutrition degree required. There are a few things I want to capture here that I hope will encourage you to read this book.

Part I – What should I eat?

• Chapter 1 – Eat food.
• Chapter 11 – Avoid foods you see advertised on television.
• Chapter 13 – Eat foods that will eventually rot.
• Chapter 20 – It’s not food if it arrived through the window of your car.

Part II – What kind of food should I eat?

• Chapter 25 – Eat your colors.
• Chapter 31 – Eat wild foods when you can.
• Chapter 36 – Don’t eat breakfast cereals that change the color of your milk.
• Chapter 43 – Have a glass of wine with dinner.

Part III – How should I eat?

• Chapter 46 – Stop eating before you are full.
  Ask yourself not, Am I full? but, Is my hunger gone?
• Chapter 50 – “The banquet is this first bite.”
  I have often heard people say they want to leave the table with the best flavor in their last bite of food. However, this chapter make the argument that the first bite is the best and no other will come close (law of diminishing returns). So enjoy the first bites and stop earlier than you would normally is great advice!
• Chapter 52 – Buy smaller plates and glasses.
• Chapter 64 – Break the rules once in a while.

Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual
Michael Pollan, December 2009

ISBN: 9780143116387
Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.