leasummer's review against another edition
3.0
Basically his other books into a short, pocket version.
jeannamarie's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve read this few times now, but not recently.
Food Rules is a super quick read and guidelines for good food habits, mantras and overall practice for healthier and cleaner eating.
I first read this book in 2011, again in 2013 & 2014. Since the first read, more and more people have become conscientious about food and the environment. So reading through this time made me more hopeful in the practice of others.
The first few times I read this book and Pollan’s other books, I was adjusting my own food principles and practices, but this time was to help reinstate these for others, to help others make better decisions.
Highly recommend this very common sense read.
Food Rules is a super quick read and guidelines for good food habits, mantras and overall practice for healthier and cleaner eating.
I first read this book in 2011, again in 2013 & 2014. Since the first read, more and more people have become conscientious about food and the environment. So reading through this time made me more hopeful in the practice of others.
The first few times I read this book and Pollan’s other books, I was adjusting my own food principles and practices, but this time was to help reinstate these for others, to help others make better decisions.
Highly recommend this very common sense read.
whitmc's review against another edition
5.0
Great reminder in the New Year of the simplicity of eating right. Eat Food, Real Food, Mostly Plants. Here's some easy reminders on how. Done.
bhsmith's review against another edition
5.0
I had a pretty clear goal mapped out for how I'd read this book (which would account for why it has taken me about a year to read these few pages): Every week I would turn to a new Food Rule in this book and make a conscious effort to implement or address that rule in my life over the course of the week. Then, after over a year, i would have paid closer attention to all of the rules and should be eating much better.
Well, I lasted a few months with this plan before life got in the way. But, the good news is that the rules from the book have really stuck. They are very simple to understand (not always simple to follow), often funny and are explained in a clear fashion that helps elaborate on why the rule is important in your overall diet.
I did finish the book, though not as I had originally planned. And, I'm proud to say that our family really lives by a large number of these rules... and it wasn't so hard! The book will inspire you to pay closer attention to what you buy and what you eat. You can certainly fly through this book in a single sitting, or spread it out over the course of many weeks. And, you could really even read it in random order, if you want.
Michael Pollan's writing on food is extraordinary, and Food Rules is a very approachable entry point to all the other things he has written.
Well, I lasted a few months with this plan before life got in the way. But, the good news is that the rules from the book have really stuck. They are very simple to understand (not always simple to follow), often funny and are explained in a clear fashion that helps elaborate on why the rule is important in your overall diet.
I did finish the book, though not as I had originally planned. And, I'm proud to say that our family really lives by a large number of these rules... and it wasn't so hard! The book will inspire you to pay closer attention to what you buy and what you eat. You can certainly fly through this book in a single sitting, or spread it out over the course of many weeks. And, you could really even read it in random order, if you want.
Michael Pollan's writing on food is extraordinary, and Food Rules is a very approachable entry point to all the other things he has written.
kristidurbs's review against another edition
3.0
A concise version of the highlights from Pollan's In Defense of Food. Pollan's unscientific philosophy of making food choices, focusing mainly on the questions of how (how to shop, how to decide something is not good for you, how to get enjoyment out of cooking and eating, etc.) more than the specifics of what. He doesn't tell you what to buy or not to buy; rather, he equips you with principles for making wise choices for your health and pleasure in eating.
mekavbev97's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
ethib77's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome summary of what Michael Pollan knows to be true about food and health.
cdlindwall's review against another edition
4.0
I love Michael Pollan and I love everything he writes. I want to take control of the chaos that has become my eating and not in a calorie-cutting h8mythighs-dieting way. In a sustainable, healthful, life changing way.
Because America needs some sort of wake up call in the way it approaches food. Something is very very wrong when there are morbidly obese 8 year olds and more than 50% of our country is overweight and we eat 1 in 5 meals in our car and it costs less to buy a Big Mac than a head of lettuce. Something is wrong. I want to be a part of the change.
Because America needs some sort of wake up call in the way it approaches food. Something is very very wrong when there are morbidly obese 8 year olds and more than 50% of our country is overweight and we eat 1 in 5 meals in our car and it costs less to buy a Big Mac than a head of lettuce. Something is wrong. I want to be a part of the change.
annaka's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Overall, an interesting read with some helpful tips. It seems like it could be overwhelming to many (including myself) or reinforce some negatives of diet culture if you’re prone, but Pollan does acknowledge that treats are okay and that doing some of the rules can still be an improvement. There is some privilege in many of the rules (such as cook for yourself or avoid food like substances(processed foods)) so I would encourage readers to give themselves grace and implement the rules they are able to and that feel most beneficial to them.
Here are some of the rules I found most interesting or helpful and their approximate minute mark:
37 m: In countries where people eat a pound or more of fruit and vegetables a day, the rate of cancer is half of what it is in the US.
50% (approximately) Near vegetarians are just as healthy as vegetarians, but vegetarians over all are healthier. Meat raises rates of heart issues and cancers. We’re not sure why, it could be the fats, it could be that we eat meat over healthier things like plants.
40 m: Drink the spinach water (and other water that is used to cook vegetables) or use it in soups etc to take in more nutrients.
42m: Eat animals that eat healthy plants (grass fed, pasture raised, etc) bc there meat/milk/eggs will be better. Buying in bulk can make this more affordable and able to do in season.
42m: Eat food grown in good soil (true organic regardless of if it is certified) and grown locally. Wild foods are often really good for a variety of reasons. Fish, particularly small fish that don’t have mercury risks, can bring lots of good things. May want to avoid big fish like tuna.
46m: for vitamin b12, eat food the has been fermented… kimchi, sourdough bread, etc.
49m: “the whiter the bread, the sooner you’ll be dead…” avoid (or restrict) white flour and instead eat more whole grains that bring fiber and look less like sugar to our bodies. Stone ground grains and oils are best. Too much refinement takes away fiber and vitamins that are good for us. Good oils: olive, sesame, palm fruit, and peanut oils.
50m: treats are okay, but only rarely. If you made all the French fries you ate, you’d only do it occasionally.
52m: Supplements don’t do much for most people, but the kind of people that take supplements are typically healthier bc of their overall thinking (eating whole grains, exercising, etc). Fish oil supplements are good for most people bc we don’t eat a lot of fish or other good sources of the things they bring.
53m: Take all parts of traditional foods, they lasted so long and work because of how they are done. For example, corn is typically nutritiously weak but is often served with lime and beans, which makes for a healthy side. The French eat foods that are not great (white flour, etc) but in small portions, no seconds, and without snacking between communal meals.
56m: Red wine with dinner brings health benefits. A little every day can bring you good things. Should drink with food.
Here are some of the rules I found most interesting or helpful and their approximate minute mark:
37 m: In countries where people eat a pound or more of fruit and vegetables a day, the rate of cancer is half of what it is in the US.
50% (approximately) Near vegetarians are just as healthy as vegetarians, but vegetarians over all are healthier. Meat raises rates of heart issues and cancers. We’re not sure why, it could be the fats, it could be that we eat meat over healthier things like plants.
40 m: Drink the spinach water (and other water that is used to cook vegetables) or use it in soups etc to take in more nutrients.
42m: Eat animals that eat healthy plants (grass fed, pasture raised, etc) bc there meat/milk/eggs will be better. Buying in bulk can make this more affordable and able to do in season.
42m: Eat food grown in good soil (true organic regardless of if it is certified) and grown locally. Wild foods are often really good for a variety of reasons. Fish, particularly small fish that don’t have mercury risks, can bring lots of good things. May want to avoid big fish like tuna.
46m: for vitamin b12, eat food the has been fermented… kimchi, sourdough bread, etc.
49m: “the whiter the bread, the sooner you’ll be dead…” avoid (or restrict) white flour and instead eat more whole grains that bring fiber and look less like sugar to our bodies. Stone ground grains and oils are best. Too much refinement takes away fiber and vitamins that are good for us. Good oils: olive, sesame, palm fruit, and peanut oils.
50m: treats are okay, but only rarely. If you made all the French fries you ate, you’d only do it occasionally.
52m: Supplements don’t do much for most people, but the kind of people that take supplements are typically healthier bc of their overall thinking (eating whole grains, exercising, etc). Fish oil supplements are good for most people bc we don’t eat a lot of fish or other good sources of the things they bring.
53m: Take all parts of traditional foods, they lasted so long and work because of how they are done. For example, corn is typically nutritiously weak but is often served with lime and beans, which makes for a healthy side. The French eat foods that are not great (white flour, etc) but in small portions, no seconds, and without snacking between communal meals.
56m: Red wine with dinner brings health benefits. A little every day can bring you good things. Should drink with food.