American Eating Disorder

Pollan suggests that the American eating disorder is related to the fact that we base our food choices on current cultural fads rather than on what our bodies actually want. This approach to eating has caused a paradox, because as we give so much importance to eating healthily that often after trying so hard to eat in a certain manner we feel deprived and will make up by eating a lot of bad foods just once and a while. Our nation becomes obsessed with certain healthy ways of eating, but is also one of the least healthy nations. Pollan gives examples of American “carbophobia,” and of other food fads and points out how “a scientific study, a new government guideline, a lone crackpot with a medical degree can alter this nation’s diet overnight.” He argues that this predicament is a product of the “omnivore’s” dilemma. We have so many options and in our culture, we turn to popular culture to help us make decisions. When there are products processed for literally every diet, many Americans base their food choices on what certain credible sources tell them to be eating rather than choosing on what their stomach wants.

I thought it was interesting when Pollan contrasted this American way of eating with the way French people eat. It is definitely interesting that the French eat more of what they want, and have a better relationship with food than Americans and are also a healthier population. I think the French know how to not deprive themselves and because of this they don’t overeat at times or feel guilty about how they eat.