Food Rules: An Eater's Manual

By Michael Pollan

#1 New York Times Bestseller

"A useful and funny purse-sized manual that could easily replace all the diet books on your bookshelf." —Tara Parker-Pope, The New York Times

A definitive compendium of food wisdom

Eating doesn’t have to be so complicated. In this age of ever-more elaborate diets and conflicting health advice, Food Rules brings welcome simplicity to our daily decisions about food. Written with clarity, concision, and wit that has become bestselling author Michael Pollan’s trademark, this indispensable handbook lays out a set of straightforward, memorable rules for eating wisely, one per page, accompanied by a concise explanation. It’s an easy-to-use guide that draws from a variety of traditions, suggesting how different cultures through the ages have arrived at the same enduring wisdom about food. Whether at the supermarket or an all-you-can-eat buffet, this is the perfect guide for anyone who ever wondered, “What should I eat?”

"In the more than four decades that I have been reading and writing about the findings of nutritional science, I have come across nothing more intelligent, sensible and simple to follow than the 64 principles outlined in a slender, easy-to-digest new book called Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual, by Michael Pollan." —Jane Brody, The New York Times

"It doesn't get much easier than this. Each page has a simple rule, sometimes with a short explanation, sometimes without, that promotes Pollan's back-to-the-basics-of-food (and-food-enjoyment) philosophy." —The Los Angeles Times

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Release date: Dec 29, 2009
• ISBN: 9781101163160

Michael Pollan

Michael Pollan es escritor, periodista y activista americano. Ocupa la cátedra Knight de Periodismo en la Universidad de California, Berkeley, donde dirige un programa centrado en el periodismo científico y medioambiental. Ha escrito un total de siete libros, entre ellos El detectiveen el supermercado, Cocinar, Saber comer y El dilema del omnívoro, todos ellos grandes éxitos de ventas y publicados en Debate.

Book preview

Introduction

Eating in our time has gotten complicated—needlessly so, in my opinion. I will get to the needlessly part in a moment, but consider first the complexity that now attends this most basic of creaturely activities. Most of us have come to rely on experts of one kind or another to tell us how to eat—doctors and diet books, media accounts of the latest findings in nutritional science, government advisories and food pyramids, the proliferating health claims on food packages. We may not always heed these experts’ advice, but their voices are in our heads every time we order from a menu or wheel down the aisle in the supermarket. Also in our heads today resides an astonishing amount of biochemistry. How odd is it that everybody now has at least a passing acquaintance with words like antioxidant, saturated fat, omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, polyphenols, folic acid, gluten, and probiotics? It’s gotten to the point where we don’t see foods anymore but instead look right through them to the nutrients (good and bad) they contain, and of course to the calories—all these invisible qualities in our food that, properly understood, supposedly hold the secret to eating well.

But for all the scientific and pseudoscientific food baggage we’ve taken on in recent years, we still don’t know what we should be eating. Should we worry more about the fats or the carbohydrates? Then what about the good fats? Or the bad carbohydrates, like high-fructose corn syrup? How much should we be worrying about gluten? What’s the deal with artificial sweeteners? Is it really true that this breakfast cereal will improve my son’s focus at school or that other cereal will protect me from a heart attack? And when did eating a bowl of breakfast cereal become a therapeutic procedure?

A few years ago, feeling as confused as everyone else, I set out to get to the bottom of a simple question: What should I eat? What do we really know about the links between our diet and our health? I’m not a nutrition expert or a scientist, just a curious journalist hoping to answer a straightforward question for myself and my

Reviews for Food Rules

[jill.mackin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not just rules but topics to think about our day to day relationship with food. Quick read, but memorable.

[kergoth_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nice little rules of thumb.

[fmclellan-29530 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Read the illustrated edition by Maira Kalman. I'm a big fan of hers. Enjoyed the rules and the paintings!

[kjc__ · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nutrition seems complicated and confusing (it is so hard to stay healthy these days!) but the author argues that following contemporary, modern nutrition research and fads is akin to letting a medieval doctor operate on you—more likely than not, you'll be better off not letting him. Instead, the author claims it is all quite simple: Just "Eat food. Not too much. Most plants." The 64 rules are just guidelines to help you do that.

[davisfamily-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Short and to the point, made me really thing about food in a different light. I especially enjoyed the "Don't get your fuel from the same place your car does" and the "corn refueling stations". Sometimes cooking is a chore and I needed a little motivation to get me back into a better groove.

[donhazelwood · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

No-nonsense list of food rules - all very common sensical and easy to follw.

[tanyaread · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting and funny. It made me laugh a dozen times and it is a very short book.

[reader1009-863136 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Adult nonfiction. Michael Pollan's guidelines for healthful eating conveniently trimmed down into digestible nuggets (e.g., Don't eat it if a third grader can't pronounce the ingredients). Read it, then simply try to follow the ones that you remember.

[librolindsay · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a pithy little collection that provides lots of adages that will stick. The only thing that rubbed me the wrong way was bits of anti-fat bias that crept up occasionally...I know folks who abide by these rules better than I do who are heavier than I am. Weight and health are two different things.

[sarah220-732610 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Simple, straight-forward, and incredibly helpful.

[melrailey-412132 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this to be an incredibly simple guidebook as to what to eat. I think the only thing keeping me back from being able to follow these rules is my own memory failure. Truthfully, though, Pollan breaks things down so simply and makes it all so common sense that I feel like I should be able to follow these rules just by thinking when I shop.

[knightlight777 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A nice concise and easy to follow format on tips and suggestions for food and how the right kinds and usages can improve our lives. Let's face it much of what many of put in our mouths each day is pure junk and over time causes innumerable health issues.

This book offers a solid starting point for reversing this trend and bringing healthful benefits that natural and simple food can deliver. Definitely worth any ones time looking for answers to boosting health in a way that puts us in control.

[victoriabrodersen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Never diet again! Want to stop questioning what you think you know about eating well? All you need to know lies within these pages in a straightforward and easily consumable fashion. You need to read this book. Your cousin needs to read this book. Everyone you work with needs to read this book. It should be compulsory upon entering middle school in America with required re-reads every 5-10 years just to keep us on our toes and honest about how we think of what we are eating and cast a bright light on everything we thought we knew and all we blatantly ignored.

[ctpress_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After watching the four part miniseries Cooked on Netflix I got interested in Pollan’s thoughts on food. I was considering his more lengthy history of food [In Defense of Food] but settled for this - sort of a distilled version of Pollan’s philosophy on how to eat more healthy and better food.

It’s very short and every “rule” or “personal policies” as he rather wants them to be is followed by a few short remarks. Gathered from experts, his own observations or Sicilian grandmothers. It’s a lot of fun and food for thought.

Here some memorable rules and quotes:

“Eating what stands on one leg (mushrooms and plant foods) is better than eating what stands on two legs (fowl), which is better than eating what stands on four legs (cows, pigs, and other mammals).”

“Leave something on your plate... 'Better to go to waste than to waist”.

“Use the apple test: “If you're not hungry enough to eat an apple, you're not hungry.”

“As grandmothers used to say, 'Better to pay the grocer than the doctor”

Avoid food products containing ingredients that a third-grader cannot pronounce

It’s not food if it arrived through the window of your car

It’s not food if it’s called by the same name in every language (Think Big Mac, Cheetos, or Pringles)

Eat all the junk food you want as long as you cook it yourself

[edwinbcn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Michael Pollan has written several books about food, particularly describing the causes and dangers of unsustainable food production and the threats to human health. The omnivore's dilemma. A natural history of four meals, which appeared in 2007, is seen as the most theoretical of these books, providing a theoretical underpinning of Pollan's ideas with regard to the current food situation in the world, the United States in particular. In defense of food. An eater's manifesto is a more practical explanation of what Pollan proposes as a possible solution for the problem, particularly what people should do, and what choices to make to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The book promotes an elitist view of food safety, and although anyone could make these choices and follow the author's advice, he assumes that the lifestyle he promotes is "not for everyone", and that the low-class, non-white population will most likely be left behind, a fate the author seems to have no problem with. The most practical of these books is Food rules. An eater's manual. It gives very clear, short advice what to eat and what not. The book is very easy to read and very effective in getting its message across.

[laurustina · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book, including the charming art of the illustrated edition. It was a library grab but I'm going to need to get a copy for myself because I've already been mentally referring to certain rules as I go about my daily life and I don't want to forget any of them. We hear all the time about how changing our eating habits, relationship to food and lifestyle is the key to healthy eating habits, but this book makes those goals seem simple, reasonable and accessible.

[rlangston-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A very quick read with text only on every other page! Mainly aimed at a US market but the points made are valid and worth emphasising elsewhere as well.

[amphipodgirl · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Michael Pollan expands his now-famous dictum "Eat food. Mostly plants. not too much." to a set of 64 (!) rules for eating. There's some wisdom here -- eat slow, eat whole foods, eat with friends -- but also some self-righteousness and outright inaccuracy (contrary to his assertion, a recent comprehensive review study suggests that organic foods are *not* more nutritious than conventional ones). Read, but with a grain of salt.

[simchaboston · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Straightforward, commonsensical list of "policies" designed to move readers toward healthier eating habits. I was glad to borrow this from the library since this isn't the most substantial book (lacking either the heft or the context of "The Omnivore's Dilemma"), but I do appreciate Pollan's recommendations and reminders, and look forward to getting more of the history and science from this book's immediate predecessor, "In Defense of Food."

[jewels1864 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you've read In Defense of Food, you won't learn anything new from this little book. It outlines some of the main points from his longer book to be more accessible to people. Same ideas without all the scientific, political, and sociological details.

[cupocofe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Simple, effective, and very true. If I had epic amounts of money, I'd buy this book in heaps and distribute among the masses for free. If you haven't got an obsession with nutrition, like some of us *cough*, but would still like to eat healthier, please read this book. It takes about an hour, maybe a little less, maybe a little more. And it's an hour very well spent.

[elsiereads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nice summary of Pollan's overall conclusions, rendered in commonsense language. Very short for $11, so I read it all in the bookstore (sorry, Borders). I am still tempted to buy a copy to hand to acquaintances who regale me with the wonders of their protein shake or other food-like substance.

[dtn620 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Following Pollan's other food related works, Food Rules is a slim volume of rules for eating real food and being healthier as a result. Some of the rules here were presented in his previous works but are useful to see again, along with his new rules.

The best part about this book is that it flies in the face of fad diets and other nutritional books which advise you to stop eating a specific type of food or nutrient. Pollan's approach is much more holistic and sensible, sticking to basic facts without getting into the microscopic.

[debnance_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

We don’t eat well here in America. Is that a surprise to you? I think not.

And our terrible food choices contribute to our overall terrible health.

Pollan is out to change that with a few (well, 83) simple rules.

The rules are simple. “Don’t eat anything your great grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.” That is simple, right? And it makes good sense. “Eat mostly plants, especially leaves.” Of course. “Stop eating before you’re full.” Definitely.

And with illustrations from my fav Maira Kalman, how can you go wrong?

It’s a book that’s everything...nutritious and delicious.

[dukefan86 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this quick read over my lunch break, as it had a number of pearls of foodie wisdom. Some favorites:

"Avoid food products containing ingredients a third-grader cannot pronounce."

Eat only foods that will eventually rot.

"If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don't."

"It's not food if it arrived through the window of your car."

"It's not food if it's called by the same name in every language. (Think Big Mac, Cheetos, or Pringles.)"

"Eat your colors."

"Be the kind of person who takes supplements--then skip the supplements."

"The banquet is in the first bite."

"Try not to eat alone."

"Spend as much time enjoying the meal as it took to prepare it."

[breakerfallen · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Basically the same as In Defense of Food, but with pictures instead of research.

[melissarochelle_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Wuotes:

“...There's a lot of money in the Western diet. The more you process any food, the more profitable it becomes. The healthcare industry makes more money treating chronic diseases (which account for three quarters of the $2 trillion plus we spend each year on health care in this country) than preventing them. ”

“For a product to carry a health claim on its package, it must first have a package, so right off the bat it's more likely to be processed rather than a whole food.”

[epersonae_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Clever little book, wouldn't mind another perusal. (I'll say it again: books made for skimming don't seem to work that well as ebooks, at least not on my phone.)

[bodhisattva_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is extracted from the last part of Michael Pollan's previous book, In Defense of Food, and expands on his basic 3-part advice: "Eat real food, Mostly Plants, Not too much".
In Defense of Food is definitely worth reading, and this book provides a nice concise summary of Pollan's good advice.

[marse_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Michael Pollan's book "Food Rules: an eater's manual" is simple, direct, and makes sense. The basic rule is: eat real food! All the rest of the book is narrowing down what real food is. No chapters on nutrition, antioxidants, carbs vs. fats, or anything scientific or dietbook-like. Not that he doesn't throw in results from scientific studies, but this is not a reference to find the best nutrients, vitamins and minerals in food. It is practical, and when you really get down to it, we all know this stuff, so why read the book? Because we all need reminding that eating real food is not that hard. My only gripe is the cost of the book! $11.00 for a book that can be read in about an hour. I guess the good news is that the book can be read very quickly and the rules can be applied immediately because they are so basic.