An Omnivore’s Decision

I love food.  Not just any food, but really fine-quality ingredients.  And I love health.  Some people (my mom) would even say that I am a health expert.  And because I speak and write regularly on topics of human science, I always seem to get the question:

“What should I be eating?”

And, I say this.  The biochemistry of food and its effect on the insanely complex functions of metabolism and human anatomy is so complicated, most diets are approximations and theories that seem to work well for some and not as well for others.  Those with the most pristine diet can still suffer from the same diseases as those that eat McDonald’s every week.  The guy that eats bacon for breakfast may not have any cardiovascular disease, while the vegan can still battle high cholesterol.  There are factors beyond the calorie, beyond the carbohydrate quantity, and beyond the grams of fat.   In addition to the tough science, politics have always played a role in food prescription, and once you’ve got profits coming from food recommendations, you should know that the bias may not be in your favor.

I don’t usually answer the What To Eat question beyond the basics – avoid processed foods, stick to fresh ingredients, and cook for yourself!  And now, thankfully, I don’t have to do anything anymore beyond pointing inquiring minds to Food Rules.  Author Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma) and featured expert in Food, Inc., has created a five-dollar pocket book of guidelines on what to eat.  Not only are the guidlines brilliant, the simple information may be the best weight-loss program one could possibly do if trying to shed a little body fat and increase over-all body performance.

Perfect for vegetarians or Argentinians (those beef eating South Americans!), Food Rules will tell you how to shop (around the edges of a grocery store ONLY!) and what to buy (avoid eating anything with any ingredient your sixth-grader can’t pronounce).  I won’t give too much away (you can read the entire thing standing in Barnes and Noble), but I will say that yes, it is suggested to have a glass of wine a day.  An entire bottle of wine, however, would not be part of the perfect dinner for one.

This week I have added rice and salad to every day (I am shooting for foods that have less than 5 ingredients…and rice only has one!) and will attempt small fishes (sardines) later this week.  Next week I am attacking bread.  Try to find a bread with only whole ingredients (stuff I can grow in my yard) and you will find yourself at a bakery three times a week.  Too expensive.

You know what’s not expensive?  The ingredients found in bread!  Who knew?!

This weekend I will get the electric bread maker (still in it’s box!) I got as a gift a few years back and join the ranks of my father, who bakes his bread fresh twice a week.  Am I really sooo busy that I can’t throw some flour, yeast, salt, and grains into an electrical appliance and let it mix, knead, rise, bake, and cool bread for me?  (What, this machine won’t cut it too? I want my money back!)

Food, coupled with our beliefs and preferences, is a huge issue for most people.  Until we have scientists dedicated to researching food from the perspective of pure biochemistry (and not which food additives won’t kill you) and time dedicated to personal gardens that generate even 10% of our daily caloric intake, this issue will begin to weave itself heavily into the current health care issues (mark my words).  Do you want to reform Health Care?  Start with the personal responsibility of becoming a conscience (food) consumer!  Join me, and take the 30-day, eat by the Food Rules challenge.  You can do it!

P.S.  Does anyone know what to do with sardines???

If you have some time, a DVD player, and a good library card, check out these movies and book titles:

The Omnivore’s Dilemma, by Michael Pollan

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

Food, Inc.

King Corn

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