Real food and how to find it

Study after study reveals the American or Western Diet causes us to suffer from Diabetes, Cancer, Heart Disease, Strokes, and Obesity more than cultures that do not eat and drink the way we do. In his book, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto (2008) Michael Pollan spills the beans, by telling us we need to consume more fruits and vegetables and less meat and dairy products. Pollan contends if what we eat has been processed, it is unlikely to quality as real food.

Parents who want to raise healthy children would be well advised to read In Defense of Food, which is not just an attack on Big Ag but chocked full of helpful advice on how to navigate the aisles of our supermarkets, methods to eat more slowly, the need for families to eat together at meal times, etc. In other words, common sense steps to take to avoid the traps set for us by the processed food industry.

He even explains why the French, even after eating too much fat and drinking wine, are slimmer than we are, albeit too many die of liver disease.

Prodded by Pollan, this writer discovered the Community Service Agriculture Movement (CSA).

Lo and behold Meridian, ID, is surrounded by dozens of CSA farms that produce tons of natural fruits and vegetable that often show up in farmer's market or, in many cases, can be ordered for delivery to your door step in a brown box each week. The box will contain whatever is at its freshest state at the time. More expensive than processed foods at the supermarket? Yes, But real food is what Nature intended for us to eat.

Pollan contends if the package makes a health claim for the contents, then it is probably no longer real food. If the label lists five ingredients you cannot pronounce, what is inside is probably no longer real food.

Clearly, Madison Avenue has joined with Big Ag. Imagine Twinkies to make us want stuff full of the sugar that feeds cancer and leads to heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Granted, with both parents working, it is hard to resist the convenience of, well, convenience foods to be popped into the microwave.

This writer recalls during WWII how almost every home had a Victory Garden, a couple of chickens to produce fresh eggs, maybe a roasted chicken for Sunday noon, or even a New Zealand White Rabbit. Also, a great way to start teaching children about the birds and the bees. Personally, this writer longs for fresh baked French bread made from only flour, water, yeast, and a pinch of salt and, of course, no preservatives.

During WWII Mom would unwittingly, spread a piece of Wonder Bread with margarine, dust it with sugar and cinnamon, toast it in the oven and present us with a wonderfully sweet treat. It is a wonder we survived such well-intended efforts.

Granted, not everyone will agree with Pollan's personal Manifesto; however, he gives us all much food for thought and many thoughts about food. Real food.

(c) 2025) William Hamilton.