When Michael Pollan says, “Eat food,” what he means is, “Eat real food,” as in food that is unprocessed and doesn’t come from a factory. So simple, so clean, so memorable…and so hard to do! But why? What’s so difficult about embracing these three uncomplicated concepts, when they could have such a positive effect on personal and global health? Let’s break it down. You may have even quoted it to your friends.

Practicing it would render weight-loss diets irrelevant, positively impact the environment, champion local food producers, and bring the processed food industry to its knees. Then again, if this is true, why is it that, once we know how to eat, we don’t do it? One of Michael Pollan’s most famous quotes is a simple one, but it tells you everything you ever need to know about eating. I suspect his wide appeal is probably an indication of how confused everybody is about food, and how much we love it when people make it very clear to us what we should and shouldn’t eat. I’ve seen him speak, and while he’s articulate and intelligent, he’s no George Clooney. Food and diet book writers quote him constantly, and some even admit that he’s their celebrity crush. When he gives lectures, it’s standing room only. When Michael Pollan speaks…people listen. At least where I live, he’s the subject of many a conversation at parties, in bars, in restaurants, in book groups.

Is Michael Pollan America’s sweetheart? People love to talk about his pithy pronouncements on how we should eat.

Michael pollan books food rules