In Defense of Food

Michael Pollan poses the question "What would happen if we were to start thinking about food as less of a thing and more of a relationship?"  in In Defense of Food. When most of time, we view eating as an obligation, we lose a significant part of what a meal could mean. Pollan suggests that we think of eating as more of a relationship, not just with food, but with the earth and nature. Once again, I see the recurring theme of returning to a more traditional diet. He also brings attention to the refined and more "industrialized" food, and how historically it has been bad for our health. Compared to centuries of cultural and traditional eating, the health impact of the new "westernized diet" is hard to ignore.

As I read this book, the idea of eating a more traditional or cultural diet constantly emerges throughout the topics presented. We can't view foods as merely their chemical components, but view them as a whole, and return to the idea of food as a relationship, rather than a daily obligation. But what's the best way to do this?