While reading Michael Pollan’s book, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, I thought about my recent visit to a local Costco.
Michael Pollan’s manifesto of “Eat Food, Not Too Much, Mostly Plants,” is relevant to my shopping experience. Firstly, I think it is safe to say, many food products on the shelves at Costco do not qualify as “food.” If we use Pollan’s definition that food should be recognizable to our great, great grandmothers and, when we look at the ingredients, we should be able to recognize (in addition to pronounce) everything listed. I noticed the large quantity of food products displaying Costco’s private label, Kirkland Signature. There is something very disturbing about a store carrying such a wide variety of foods under one label.
I had a hard time distracting myself from the obvious observation — “why do we Americans like to buy in bulk?” I know the answer involves saving money and, for large families, buying wholesale probably does help cut costs. But I doubt most Costco shoppers fall into this category.
Michael Pollan’s concept of “Not Too Much” and Costco run in diametrical opposition to one another. Pollan’s suggestion to “Pay More, Eat Less” sounds almost “un-American” (I’m being tongue-in-cheek here). Paying less for something, getting a bargain, a discount, something for wholesale, is part of the American way — and eating less food, well — we are living in the “super size me” nation. But in America, we spend less money on food than France, Italy, and Spain. And until we are willing to pay for better quality food and have a bit less of it we may continue to be the sickest country in the world.
My last thought about Costco, Pollen’s suggestion “don’t get your fuel from the same place your car does,” applies to my version of the principle: “don’t get your food from the same place you buy your flat screen television.”
Filed under: food, health, women, women's health | 2 Comments
Tags: costco, food, in defense of food, michael pollan, not too much, pay more eat less
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I think the problem has to do with eating culturally. Pollan seems to be suggesting the solution to our dilemma is to eat culturally, meaning rooted in tradition, such as the example of France, which he uses. Actually, most European countries spend 10% to 15% more of disposable income on food than Americans, which he sights as well. But America is a much bigger country, with various food cultures, in that way it is difficult to think of America having 1 cultural food identity. I mean, he oversimplifies the case with France. France throughout history has been susceptible to food changes. SO, is it really cultural eating?
His book was enlightening and qualifies what I already knew but never delt with well ’til now. Before his book came out I was already trying to not eat so much stuff that comes out of a box. I’m slowly ridding my pantry of “icky” foods and replaceing them with equallly yummy fresh things. I think the 4 food groups were a better idea than the food pyramid. So my daughter and I are assesing what we like to eat, what we should be eating and finding a more healthy balance. I have a hard time going into a supermarket now. Most of that “food” doesn’t even sound good anymore. We still have the occasional treat but are trying really hard to eat better.