Response to In Defense of Food, by Micheal Pollan(introduction and chapters 1-4)

After reading the introduction and first four chapters of Michael Pollan’s book, In Defense of Food, I was really surprised on some of the arguments that came up. One argument was about protein against carbohydrates and which one should be a bigger factor in ones diet. This argument started because like he mentioned in the book that proteins were the most important thing to eat in one century and carbohydrates were more important in another century. Another argument that Pollan brings up is what types of food and vitamins can cause or prohibit cancer. A third argument that he discussed was about fake foods being better for the body than real foods. For example, real butter versus the fake margarine that everyone tends to buy now days. The last argument of Pollan’s that stood out at me was the fact that some foods can be imitation. This fact sort of scared me because one could be eating something that they think is healthy, when really it is the exact opposite.

Pollan mentions that some citrus fruits and vegetables protect our bodies from cancer or even heart attacks. I agree with this statement because when one thinks of the unhealthiest foods, most think of greasy burgers and fries. Therefore, those types of unhealthy foods can cause clogging of the arteries and create a heart attack. Another key point that I agree with is the whole subject about fake foods being better for you then the real ones. Generally I disagree with this statement because the sound of fake foods just sounds bad for the body. For example, margarine, a fake food, has a main ingredient that might cause heart attacks. However, most fake foods have a lot more preservatives in them, which keep bacteria and germs out of our food. Since I know preservatives keep bacteria out, it makes me feel a lot more comfortable about eating fake foods than real foods.

The link listed supports my statement about preservatives being good for the body because preservatives fight off bacteria and germs.