In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan (2008, Hardcover)

Pollan's book makes me recollect a marketing prof who peppered his lectures with his interests in nutrition here at Virginia Commonwealth University way back in the late '60s. That's where I first heard "The White Deaths", "Don't eat anything the microbes don't want", and other sentiments about food that Mr Pollan repeats and reinforces with science.

I discovered I'm 'prediabetic' early, learned early to control 'reactive hypoglycemia' with diet to keep my pilot's medical certificate, and have generally tended toward a diet like Mr Pollan recommends, flavored with Dr Atkins' teaching that fat might be OK without the heavy dose of carbs most take alongside, and a liking for a 'Mediterranean diet' to mix my oils. I'm about 60 now, not diabetic yet, get back good lipid #s too, and will continue to eat like Pollan recommends, except meat's not a condiment in this house. I'm distressed to relate than in the past decade several friends have blimped up and suffer effects of 'metabolic syndrome', their eating habits the antithesis of what's stated so well In Defense of Food. It's a delight to relate, following a recent reunion, that none of those affected by the same marketing prof back then are afflicted with anything worse than greying hair, and they're sure not suffering from that either.

If this testimonial helps others I'm pleased.

This book's not filled with brand-new facts, and it is certainly not just a restatement of old stuff. It is a quick read, an entertaining presentation of stuff I've believed for 40 years mixed with new facts I hadn't heard yet. I've got Omnivore's Dilemma on order...