Friday, December 15, 2006

The Omnivore's Dilemma

As the old saying goes “Eat like everyone else, look like everyone else”.

OK, I think I made that up, but it’s still true.

The way you eat is a large determining factor in the way you look and feel. For this reason I highly recommend that you read the book “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollen.

In a very in-depth and systematic approach, Mr. Pollen investigates the history behind what we put on our plates, and the driving forces behind the food choices we make.

I suggested this book earlier in one of my emails for grrlAthlete.com, but now I consider it mandatory reading for anyone who is trying to eat healthy and live healthy.

The food industry is no different from any other industry -they want you to buy their product, and will tell you anything they can to get you to choose their product rather than its competition.

This constant barrage of "buy me" advertising creates a very blurry and muddled message, that leaves people confused about what they should and should not eat.

I'm often asked what's the best way to beat the obesity epidemic. Well, in my opinion, you can forget about fad diets and you can forget about drugs, because being an informed consumer is the best weapon you can possibly have against obesity.

If you want to learn the history behind the foods that people eat and the way they are manufactured, then I highly recommend you read this book.

BP

Fasting Diet, Circuit Training

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4 comments:

Mike Roussell said...

I'll definately pick that one up. Food Politics is another great one.

Brad Pilon said...

Hi Mike,

I've just added "Food Politics" to my xmas wish list.

BP

Craig Ballantyne, CTT, Certified Turbulence Trainer said...

Tell me more about this book/all the books you've recently read on nutrition.

CB

Brad Pilon said...

Hey CB,

I'll give you a run down of the reading I've done recently...

The Omnivore's Dilemma - a great expose into the government's involvement in our food choices.

Fast Food Nation - a great expose into the corporate world's involvement in our food choices.

Real Food - As the title gives away, its a Pro whole foods book. Well written - I'd say that a lot of the issues that are tackled are simplified, but in a good way.

The True History of Chocolate - Man I love chocolate! This is a great book for anybody who's a food history buff.

Food Combining Made Easy - A nutrition book written in 1951. A great read if you are interested in the history of Fad diets.

Gender Differences in Metabolism - I'm on a big Metabolism kick right now, so this book is perfect.

....

My next reads are going to be..

Protein Power, The Warrior Diet, Food Politics, and a couple reviews of US food and drug law

Then for kicks...some Calvin and Hobbes to reset my brain!

BP