Michael Pollan Presentation Highlights

Many of you have been asking me how the Michael Pollan talk was. For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, last Tuesday night I sat with an Opera House full of health and well-being enthusiasts to hear Michael Pollan be interviewed by Dr Rebecca Huntley.

Here are a few points that stuck out for me:

• Michael said,  “No other creature struggles as much as we humans do to decide what to eat.” These days we have way too much choice. Keep it simple and eat what your great grandma ate.
• When asked about the food pyramid, Michael said, “Don’t show this to children.” Brilliant!
• He suggested getting kids to grow their own fruit and veggies. This will teach them the importance of wholefoods. Also get them in the kitchen with you. Make it fun!
• When asked about the junk food tax and if he thinks it will work he replied, “We should try anything.” I agree! We must do whatever we can.
• Michael said it’s not about weight loss but about eating REAL food. Again brilliant and not brain surgery.
• This point was actually from Dr Rebecca Huntley. She said that while she is shopping in the supermarket with her three-year-old daughter, if the child picks up a packet of chips and asks,  “Can I have this?” Rebecca says,””If you can read all the ingredients on the back of that package you can have it.” Brilliant! I will be trying that one, that’s for sure.
• Michael said we need to” “Get off the western diet.” No convincing needed there!
• Nutritional science clearly doesn’t hold all the answers. CLEARLY! As we are in the midst of an obesity epidemic.
• ‘The whiter the bread the sooner you will be dead.
• Michael doesn’t advocate veganism, vegetarianism or any particular way of eating. He says,  “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” He continues to remind us that meat is a delicacy—not something to be eaten three times per day. It should be for a special occasion, a celebratory treat.
• He gave us his health travel tip: “Go vegetarian whilst traveling unless you know where the meat is from.” He continued by saying,”We have the right to know where our food comes from and what’s in it.”
• Michael emphasized: “Quality over quantity!” Enough said.
• ‘He said when shopping for food, “Pay more; eat less!”
•  He suggested creating your own home garden and getting in there and doing the work. It’s a great way to move your body. You have total control over how your food is prepared for you and your family.
• He also mentioned we need to pay more attention to how we are eating. Make sure you are consciously eating. Take the time to savor your food. Don’t eat on the run, or in the car. Sit down. Turn off all distractions and be with your food.

What do you think about these points? Have you read any of Michael’s books?

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