New Michael Pollan book is out.

As of January 1st, the new Michael Pollan book, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto, is out in stores. This book is considered a companion book to his very popular The Omnivore's Dilemma. I just finished the book and am recommending it to all friends, family, and patients alike.

The Omnivore's Dilemma raised many questions regarding our food chain and the choices that we make; In Defense of Food answers some of those questions and addresses how we might be able to incorporate real food back into our lifestyle. He questions if "nutritionism" and food science are good for health when opposed with more traditional, cultural diets. Being a professor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dietetics, a lot of what Pollan is presenting fits with the TCM diet and lifestyle which is based in the the natural changes of the seasons. Other ideas include recommendations of not eating too much, keeping the food simple and making sure it is real food. Kale instead of Twinkies, please.

Pollan's meticulous research shines through, and he provides the reader with a sources list at the end in case you want to read some of the studies. This is a great read and provides some beginning guidelines to prepare for dietary changes.

posted by: Michael G. Pingicer, M.S., L.Ac.