Over the last few years, we’ve noticed big change happening in how lots of North Americans are looking at food. Instead of an incessant focus on individual ingredients, miracle supplements, and the latest food-science discoveries, a lot of people have been turning back towards a purposefully simple philosophy of food, one that rejects all the complex dietary facts we’ve amassed, in favor of something much more manageable, and far more simple.
We’ve been reading a lot about these new developments in food culture here at Bodyrock, and today we’re introducing a series called Real Food 101. Don’t be misled by the title — the educational focus is just as much for Zuzana and me, as we hope it’ll be for you guys.
This is something we’re still learning about and still exploring, and we’ve decided to chronicle that experience alongside our readers.
Michael Pollan’s Super-Simple Manifesto
We’ve found that the undisputed philosopher or ‘guru’ of this whole movement is a guy named Michael Pollan. He’s written a few books and currently writes for the New York Times, but the two most important books of his are 2006’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and his recent In Defense of Food.
Defense has a big, beautiful head of lettuce on the front, with an elastic around it. Printed right on that elastic is a manifesto on changing your entire approach towards food, and it could not be more simple. It’s 3 sentences long, and only 7 words in total. It goes like this:
Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.
Why So Simple?
Well, it turns out that all the big problems that we face when deciding what to eat can be traced back to not following one of those three principles. Pollan’s whole proposition is pretty radical, because he suggests that all the complicated diets and big-time information overload that most of us have been exposed to are completely unnecessary.
We’d be lying if we didn’t find this kind of approach really liberating, as it promises to give you something you can easily refer back to, whenever you need to think about food and your diet.
But how simple is it, really? How can you start using it right now?
Turns Out, The Word ‘Food’ Is Actually Pretty Tricky.
Here’s why he’s able to make the manifesto so very simple: when Pollan talks about food, he’s referring specifically to real food. Not processed, not made with additives, chemicals, preservatives, nothing with a ‘healthy’ badge on the outside of it — none of that. Just food.
Does this mean only vegetables? Only entire, ‘whole’ foods and nothing else? Not exactly, no — if you want to get more specific, his suggestion is not to eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as ‘food’. This means you get to keep all the obvious stuff in there (bread, yogurt, butter, and so on), but you have to eliminate stuff that was obviously created in a ‘food science’ lab (stuff like margarine, complicated granola bars, meal-replacement shakes).
Another little guideline is to not eat anything that can’t spoil — you can still use canned vegetables and beans, obviously, but if a ‘food-like substance’ can sit out on a counter for weeks without visibly changing much (and remaining edible), it’s best to stay away. The famously indestructible Twinkie would presumably not be making Pollan’s list.
The Rest of the Manifesto, and Why It’s Important.
His second sentence — ‘Not too much’ — appeals to common sense. Don’t overeat, basically. And ‘mostly plants’ is a plea to cut down on our meat consumption, which is really high — higher than it’s ever been, actually, and not doing wonderful things for our health, either.
There’s a lot of science, sociology, research, and a big, general philosophy behind this manifesto, a lot of which is covered in Pollan’s books, plus in films like the recent Food, Inc. And we’re still learning about it.
But because all of this is specifically designed to get people back towards simplicity, this manifesto is right on the front page of the book, and is designed to be useful even to someone who hasn’t read about all of this stuff, who doesn’t know exactly why processed foods aren’t that great for our diets.
Instead, it’s a starting point, and that’s how Zuzana and I are using it, and that’s how we want to present it to you. Elsewhere on the site, we’ve talked about Tosca Reno and her Eating Clean diet, and we’ve discovered that she basically shares the same philosophy — it’s just packaged a little more like a traditional diet book.
Away We Go…
We’re going to keep talking about this Real Food movement, but for now, just see if that manifesto sticks in your head — eat food, not too much, mostly plants. Can you remember it 24 hours later?
And of course, we want to turn it over to your comments. This time, we’ve got a specific question in mind:
If you’ve thought about giving up ‘bad’ foods, what’s the one thing that’s the absolute hardest to give up? It might be soft drinks, it might be sugary breakfast cereals, or it could be a fast-food milkshake.
But what’s the one thing that you just know is loaded with preservatives, additives, and processing agents, worked over dozens of times in multiple labs and processing plants, and finally re-assembled into what ’seems’ like a food — and yet you just can’t give it up?
Tell us! Don’t worry, we won’t judge. It happens ;)
Michael Pollan is one of my favorites! I read the omnivores dilemma in 2007 and read in defense of food in june 2009- Great books! Very user-friendly and encouraging about clean and ethical eating. The omnivores dilemma had a significant effect on me: within months I no longer ate red meat or pork, and to this day I’m still faithful to that.
great post!
Ellie
I think it’s great that you are generously including a food section on your website. You guys make a great point that it’s not just working out. The daily bombardment of new foods, diets, meal replacements, etc. can make meal planning overwhelming. So to return to a back to basic, HEALTHY approach is actually very enticing and I’m finding easy to do. I’ve been trying to achieve this even more since finding your website.
Ok…..my naughty food is chicken & broccoli Pasta Roni. Don’t let the “broccoli” title fool you! It’s full of sodium, and useless empty calories. & I have yet to find even a miniscule piece of chicken. I mean the sauce starts as a powder! Need I say more? I can’t help it though, it tastes good! I now only eat a very very small portion and only about once every 3-4 weeks. :-). Thanks as always for being so generous in sharing your philosophies, and discoveries about leading a healthier lifestyle.
I’ve read a few articles by Michael Pollan and still need to pick up his books. I’m in love with his philosophy.
The foods that I will find hardest to stop having are protein supplements! When I’m out running errands and I get hungry, I always assumed that a protein bar or shake would be the wisest option. It’s a processed food but it’s got lots of protein, which makes it okay, right? Wrong! There are usually many ingredients that I can’t even pronounce, along with sugar and sugar alcohols that mess up my stomach.
A much better option I’ve found is to keep some nuts in my purse, or even a Larabar. They’re made with only fruits and nuts, which is a good compromise if you don’t have access to fresh food.
Zuzana – I’ve been a big fan of Michael Pollan since I saw Food Inc. I work for a company that basically shares all the philosophies that he (and you) present: whole food eating in moderation. Let me first say that it has been so refreshing to read your blog and have a kind of “support group” for people who have the same values about exercise and eating. So much of our industry forgets that food is the big piece in the puzzle when staying healthy. They encourage their clients to eat ‘low fat’ foods, drink ‘diet’ drinks (a big NO in my book – I feel it’s better to drink a regular soda then a big fat, fake, bottle of chemicals they call a diet drink), and take supplements. People have sadly forgotten that we are provided with plenty of food on this earth without the help of factories and corporations. All of the precious fruits, veggies, and grains are already packed with the nutritional value that our body needs/craves to grow stronger and healthier.
In my journey of striving to live a healthier lifestyle, I have made changes and transformations in the last two years that have not been easy but so beneficial. I make a point to eat fruits and veggies everyday along with whole grains. Frozen veggies and my magic bullet (a wonderful personal sized blender for smoothies) are staples in our household. My weakness however, is my large and pestering sweet tooth. All you sweet tooth’s out there know my agony and pain. Cakes, cookies (both are homemade and tend to be on the healthier side), cereal bars (organic of course), and chocolate (dark mostly) are my enemies but constant companions in my everyday life. I even feel the need to have one little piece of chocolate or a little cookie after just about every meal! My goodness and I’m a fitness trainer!!? Yes, we are human :) So after reading one of Zuzana’s blogs, I decided to go on a ten day sugar detox. Not a complete sugar detox but a realistic one, stripping my diet of my vices. I decided that I would still consume fruits, organic orange juice (as we are right in the middle of flu season), and the lowest sugar organic yogurts possible. I am currently on day six and I am still struggling though not as badly as the first day! I was literally dreaming about cupcakes and pixie sticks in my head all day long! I did however realize, after stripping my diet of these sugars that they are the only processed things left in my diet that I consume! Wow! Though I eat all organic and all natural ingredient foods, the cereal bars, cereals, and sugar snacks that I eat are present in my daily life. My hope is that after ten days of this sugar detox, I will not be so dependent up my sweet tooth and only consume them every once in a while instead of everyday. It is so hard at first but your body WILL adapt and love you for it!
Thanks Zuzana and Frederick for this great post and a lifestyle to be modeled after! :)
Hi Tabby,
Great comment. I have that same weakness for little pieces of chocolate that you describe so well – except I prefer milk chocolate :)
This is a great topic, because eating well goes hand in hand with exercising and living a healthy life.
My best friend turned me on to the benefits of eating raw back in 2002, and it’s more or less stuck with me ever since, although in answer to your question, the hardest thing to give up is probably the social implications of eating unhealthy, especially around drinking alcohol. Food, and especially alcohol, is such a social aspect. We “go out to eat” with our friends and loved ones, or we “go drinking”, because it’s something that connects us to other people.
Personally, over the last two months, I have re-dedicated myself to eating healthy, including zero alcohol, and losing a little extra weight (about 10% of my body weight). Before I gave up alcohol completely, it was a struggle to commit to it. I always thought it wasn’t that big of a deal, but in the end, I concluded that it was a form of self-sabotage, and it had to go!
Thanks again for your great site!
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thanks for this!
I’ve been moving on the path closer & closer to vegan, & i ***LOVE*** to see people becoming aware of food issues!
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My foodaddiction is marzipan. I know, it sounds weird but I’m from the Netherlands, and here we celebrate a holiday that had marzipan as a traditional ‘holidaysnack’? I don’t know how to call it.
At first I didn’t call it an addiction; just something I liked very, very much and wouldn’t mind going to the store for JUST THAT when it’s raining cats and dogs. Then I realized: I was eating 200g. marzipan, every single day. Without an exception!
So, I have decided many times not to get it anymore, but I end up buying and eating it anyway. Afterwards I feel awful (an tired for that matter), and really wish I hadn’t done it. But that’s not where my mind is the moment I really want to get some.
At thát moment, all I’m thinking is: “I don’t care it’s not good for me, I know that. I know I will feel horrible but it tastes so good and I just really really want it. It’s not thát bad.” Especially that: “it’s not thát bad”. But I know, deep down, it really ís thát bad!
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Michael Pollan has written a number of books which point to the health benifits of eating natural or as he says simple food. The one problem with this idea is history. One does not have to go very far into the past to find people suffering death or most comonly cronic bad health due to eating natural or simple food.
The increased richness of our diet is one of the main reasons that life expectancy has gone from late 40’s to mid 70’s in a hundred years. This is not without a down side. We can now eat a diet beyond our ancestors wildest dreams. Unfortunatly too much of a good thing is not necessarily healthy.
A hundred years ago our ancestors would engage in the equivalent of a hard core cardio and strength workout for 12 hours a day everyday of the week and then eat simple food. The simple food diet offen did not supply the needed vitamins. Is it any wonder that they died young? Today most people don’t exercise at all and then eat more in one meal than previous generations would eat in two days. Is it any wonder that many people suffer chronic poor health?
There is no magic or simple path to healthy living. It must be earned! It is not complicated but it is not simple either. One must exercise and be aware of one’s diet.
Bodyrock.tv is a site which offers a pathway to health. It is a great tool but it must be used mindfully.
Thanks Zuzana and Frederick for providing this wonderful resource!
HI Tom,
I believe that there were a lot of other factors coming into play with why people died at younger ages. Hygiene, sanitation, complete absence of medical treatments, much harsher living conditions, etc. I would definitely not blame natural food for shorter live spans.
Reece’s Pieces!
“Never, never, never give (it) up.”
Cereal is my vice. I used to eat more sugary stuff(Honey bunches of oats, Oh’s, etc) but now I eat Kashi Vive, which is relatively healthy. I tend to gravitate towards cheap food that lasts a long time, oatmeal for example. But I’m trying to make it healthier, buying steel-cut and all that. I don’t think my diet stinks, and while it’s far from perfect, I doubt it’s the thing that’s holding me back. Like you, I don’t crave sweet or salty foods anymore. I can go without easily. :)
These three things are hard for me to do without. Splenda for one. Spray butter for two. And fat-free half n half for three. The ingredients in Splenda alone (dextrose, maltodextrin, sucralose) were created accidentally when some chemists were trying to produce an insecticide. Polysorbate 60, potassium sorbate, & calcium disodium EDTA are used to protect freshness in spray butter. And last but not least, fat free half n half for my coffee. It has sodium citrate, dipotassium phosphate, mono & diglycerides just to name a few.
i ‘ve been vegan for almost 3 years – offically 3yrs in December. it was easy for me to make my transition from ‘chill’ vegetarian to strict vegan but i had to do my own research. i took all of the unnatural and unhealthy things out of my diet the while transition took place thoughout most of November(‘07) — i am still in school and i get a lot of questions like: “Why are you vegan?” “How do you get your protein?” “what made you decide to become vegan?”, etc. It’s funny how facinating others find my veganism, because after one person has asked a question i end up being surrounded by other classmates either listening or asking more questions.
Although i do have one question for you both – on ‘take out’. i usually make my own food but i might have some chinese take out but not often. i know it has a lot of sodium — i usually customize my order but i wanted to know your position on whether it’ s really OK to eat.
I began learning about “real food” back in early Spring (maybe March) and it quickly took root in my lifestyle. 6 months later I pay a little more for food but it’s fantastic and I’m healthier than I have ever been in my life. Glad to see the movement catching on.
Skinny Cow ice cream… probably not real food…. bummer.
[...] Original post by Frederick [...]
i will never give up ice cream, i eat it everyday :) i also love cookies and brownies :D yum
and margaritas :D
NACHOS!! I’ve limited my intake considerably the past few years. I used to eat them aaallllll the time,i.e., everyday. Now, I only get a craving for them once every 3 months or more. I have switched the heavy sharp cheddar to light velveeta and use corn tortilla chips with lots of jalapeno. I never use sugar,opting for honey nut cheerios or Kashi with bananas. Do not use table salt nor butter in preparing or adding to food and will substitute EVO for the butter. Absolutely NO HFCS in any food product we purchase. Frederick,I have a few questions for you. I’ve not been able to find an answer for this. Who produces all those “added chemical ingredients” (which are often difficult to pronounce without laughing) that are massively added to all foods and why are they “needed? Would our food taste different without them? Aaand, is there regulation regarding the levels/ratio per food container?? …THANKS A BUNCH
These three things are hard for me to do without. Splenda for one. Spray butter for two. And fat-free half n half for three. The ingredients in Splenda alone (dextrose, maltodextrin, sucralose) were created accidentally when some chemists were trying to produce an insecticide. Polysorbate 60, potassium sorbate, & calcium disodium EDTA are used to protect freshness in spray butter. And last but not least, fat free half n half for my coffee. It has sodium citrate, dipotassium phosphate, mono & diglycerides just to name a few.
Sorry… forgot to say great post – can’t wait to read your next one!
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One word – CHOCOLATE. I can`t resist it. All the other bad food is not a problem for me, I like real food a lot. I don`t eat a processed one for a couple of years now. It is really no problem for me, with time, real food become a lot tastier than any processed one!
But chocolate….it is sooooo good!!! And that`s never changed and I seriously doubt that it will ever will!
One word – CHOCOLATE. I can`t resist it. All the other bad food is not a problem for me, I like real food a lot. I don`t eat a processed one for a couple of years now. It is really no problem for me, with time, real food become a lot tastier than any processed one!
But chocolate….it is sooooo good!!! And that`s never changed and I seriously doubt that it will ever will!
OH! You’re my new favorite blogger fyi
hi Zuzana,
CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
seriously if i don’t eat anything with chocolate for a week then i get negative. i gave myself a challenge for a month and i couldn’t take it anymore, after 3 weeks i gave up. my challenge was no chocolate stuff, no ready to eat food, no sparkling water. i still haven’t drink sparkling water and i haven’t been eating ready to eat food but i could keep on without chocolate.
yesterday was my brother’s birthday, he is 18 now, and there was so many good looking things on the table… i went to sleep with my stomach round as a basket ball. i feel guilty now.
well anyways, i just can’t stop eating chocolate. what i’m gonna do, i’ll eat less chocolate than before, like only one piece everyday and maybe i’ll stop without realizing it.
what do you think about this?
chocolate and cigarette are my only bad habits. i’ll stop
best, LisaG
My absolute guilty pleasure is alcohol. I like going out with friends and drinking is the only thing I haven’t managed to tame. I was able to not have a sip of beer or wine for 2 weeks but then last Friday night I had scotch. A couple of glasses. And I don’t even like it!
I don’t think I can give it up completely. I am aiming for an average of one glass of wine a week, and beer once a month.
Does that sound reasonable to you guys?
Hi Zuzana and Frederik.Pollan´s book remind me one of that i read many years ago in my country from the author Lidia Kovacheva.(I´m bulgarian origins)but living in Spain.It was the same-eat foog,not too much,everything from our nature.And in moderation eggs,milk,meat,cheese.That our great grandparents ate.The same things-fruit,vegetables,they made bread wheat,hens eggs were given,from the cows milk, cheese from the milk and etc…But without chemically.Me and my family eat simple and healthy,but i´ll never give up my coffe and my black chocolate.I think we have to enjoy life eat clean and not think that 2 cups of coffee or a block of chocolate will kill us.
Bye the way i love you web.
My best wishes,
Izabela.
“Easting Clean” to me it’s all basic and very simple……I have recently, decided to go vegan, it’s so easy and extremely healthy. No processed foods and or worries for the unseen, hidden poisons in on foods and labels. I decided to K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid)….all the danger in our foods and completly educate myself and make better decisions on what I eat, basically we are what we eat. I also, think trying really hard to educate yourself and be aware of your body is so fundamental to not only your physical health but your mental health as well. A good book to read would be “Skinny Bitching”…..makes great valid points on how we don’t pay much attention to what we are putting in our bodies. The key to a healthy living, our mind, body and soul would be educating ourself.
chocolate of course !!!
i wonder what they put inside that we r all addicted so
LOVE this article!!!! This is very important for people to figure out!!! Since the 1980’s there has been an explosion in weight-gain directly because of people dining out to eat incessantly, eating tons more sugar, fat, salt; thousands more preservative-laden nutritially deficient products lining the shelves in brightly colored, friendly packages being bought twice as much; also, the amounts we are eating has been doubled if not tripled for serving sizes. It is now the norm to blindly put our trust in the usda, fda, etc when these organizations have money on their minds much less our best interests. We watch as pig flu, mad cow disease, avarian flu, etc takes over the country and are quickly figuring out that this way of eating has brought us here. There will be a revolution in the way we eat…coming very quickly. Whole grains, vegetables, legumes and fruits will gain prominance once more people begin to realize it from the good bestsellers recently immerging. I look forward to the time when meat is the minority.
:-(
I am addicted to Splenda. I eat stevia sometimes, but when it comes to coffee or sweetening my oatmeal, I use the high octane artificial sweeteners. I don’t eat much, but I eat oats almost everyday, so this sucks big time. Stevia is good,but just tastes a little strange. I think it is a better option, as it is plant based and not heavily processed (but it IS processed).
Chocolate is a love of mine, but I eat dark chocolate and have that infrequently.
first of all thank you frederick ans zuzana for your great website . it rocks,we have every information every advice we ne to lead a healthy lifestyle (diet, workout.. ) and i think i’m not exagerating if i tell you that you’re very inspirational to us.the food a should avoid is mostly chocolate and “viennoiserie”, but they are not really an issue . i really like your diet approach , 6 to 7 meals a day in small portions , a balance of proteines, carbs and fat each meal, avoiding process food, eating whole food etc .. howerver i don’t agree with this statement , sentence , which is a nonsense especially for exercising men : “mostly vegetables” .. ok vegies contain vitamines , minerals,oligoelements blablah they’re nice!but a meal should’nt be composed mainly by meat , fish or dairies ? the stuff which is plenty of proteines and is crucial if we want to repare these muscle fibers rougly solicitated during our workout ? in my mind, and beacause of the reasons i’ve mentioned above this ,diet is ok for women, or sedentary men but not for men who are working out in a daily basis ! i dare anybody to argue with this ^^ lol
david from france
Hi David,
I believe that it is only a personal preference wether or not is good to eat a lot of meat. Some people feel really strong physical need to eat meat on a regular basis and some people are happy with diet that includes mostly vegetables, fruits and whole grains. In my opinion – and you can call me crazy if you want :) – if you can find vegetarians among animals, then why it shouldn’t be natural to have vegetarians and meat eaters among humans? I believe that both is natural. What isn’t natural is the way the meat is being produced. It is a huge difference between a relatively small farm and free ranged animals and those huge disgusting factories that remind me of concentration camps from the second world war.
From what I’ve learned chocolate isn’t bad, if you get real chocolate. I’ll make hot cocoa w/ real chocolate, real cow milk, and stevia sometimes. If I want it, I have some… I learned long ago if you deny yourself something you desire, it will only create cravings.
I do have a thing about cheddar cheese, everyone says regular (full fat) cheese isn’t good for you, but I can’t help it. I put cheese on almost everything I eat. I love it, and i’m not over weight so I will likely not stop eating it. (chuckles)
Hi Frederick and Zuzana,
This is a small tangent, but maybe you should try growing some of your own vegetables so you can have fresh ones. I don’t know your situation in Malta and what your landlord is like so you may not have the time or the space to do it.
But, I think there would be a great article in the process even if it is just some green beans or tomatoes in a couple large pots. I would think the most time would be in gathering the pots, soil, frames and most important the seeds and then putting that together.
The weeding, other plant care and watering would probably be a few minutes once a week. Hard to tell with Malta’s warm, humid and sunny winter how things would go. But, if they could be outdoors that might work great. As you probably already know, you seems to get about 66.7 percent of the annual rainfall of here in Seattle (only in about a 3 month period instead of a 8 month period).
Best wishes,
–Chris
Hi Chris,
Cool idea for an article.
Hi Zuzana,
I might be wrong here…but I think David is saying the ratios need to be slightly more animal based proteins to vegetables for those who are actively injuring muscle fiber. I think this is the same argument someone would make for whey protein shakes for after a workout. But, as Frederick has pointed out many grains and legumes have proteins and I would point out vegans can gain muscle mass with no problem and they exclusively eat plants. Also, there are rice and soy based supplements and vegans might use them. I don’t know.
So I’m not sure where the truth is here, but wouldn’t mind more information from all sides of this question. I know people ask you all the time whether you folks use protein drinks after workouts and you don’t (at least Zuzana doesn’t). I gather from that you don’t feel a need for supplements. And, it seems to be working for you as your muscles are clearly there.
Those drink mixes cost a lot of money and maybe doing more harm than good. I have a friend who says this is the case, based on a book she read by a researcher who’s name I forget at the moment.
A slightly confused,
–Chris
Michael Pollan is an absolute genius. I read both of his books about a year and a half ago and they completely changed my life. They actually got me angry at the food industry, which is exactly what I needed to change my lifestyle for good and cut out processed foods. I eat a very clean diet and also found inspiration from Tosca Reno and Oxygen magazine. The best part about Pollan’s books are that the concepts are simple and when you take the time to really process what he’s saying, it just makes sense.
All that said, however, I still have one vice and it’s a really bad one……cookie dough. I’m not proud, but it’s true. Whenever I make chocolate chip cookies, I inevitably wind up eating way too much of the dough and no matter how hard I try, I just can’t resist it. I’ve gotten past making a batch of cookie dough just for the simple purpose of eating it (yes, I used to make the dough without any intention of baking it), but I still can’t pass it up when I have to make a batch for a party. Maybe someday I’ll break the habit, but I certainly haven’t succeeded yet.
Hi Zuzana and Frederick.
Love your website! I am an extremely avid fan of clean eating for aesthetics as well as improved physical performance. I don’t know whether we can say all developments in food have been bad. I believe some foods which you deem as ‘chemical’ and un-natural have helped prouce some amazing feats in body change and sports performances. And, no offense, but I would guess that a fair whack of chemicals and un-natural processes have gone in to the development of Zuzana’s bust-line!!! Go easy on your sweeping statements re food supplements and gymnasiums!!
Katy,
i find your comment very rude, so I hope that you feel better now for having made this point. So let me get this straight.. Because I had a medical procedure over two years ago, I am not allowed to make any statements on my own personal blog expressing my opinions about healthy eating and supplementation? You know nothing about me or why I chose to have that procedure. I have changed my opinions and approach over the past year and a half by trying to live with purpose and awareness – and that is what I am sharing here.
Hi Zuzana and Frederick, thanks a tot for everything you share with all of us. I am from Spain.
I think the hardest part of real food movement is to know the recipes. Although I have a health food culture, sometimes it is difficult to have time or information to cook at home.
Not eat too much it hard to my too. I like to eat in excess some times. I personally do it because I like to demonstrate to my friend that I am not an anorexic girl and I am able to eat as much as they do. I have now to fight between my own culture and my knowledge and goals. My grandmother still think I am so skinny but it is because she had hunger in the past time when the war. Some time i eat as much as she wants. I like her smiling face.
I know a mom’s recipe “garlic soup”: It is easy, health, delicious, fast, and cheap to make.
You only need, garlic, one egg, some little pieces of one-day-old bread (Natural one), and a spoon of olive oil.
You have to fry the pieces of garlic (5 teeth) with the oil, until they are gold. Then you put together in a pot and boil for a while (2 min boiling). Then you mix an egg and throw at the pot. Now you can throw the bread too. In addition, wait for 2 min. that’s! If you need more flavor go for salt.
Excuse my poor English. Have a nice day!
Hi Issportiness,
I like the simple recipe that you have shared with us, and thanks for sharing your own experience too :)
hi,
i am from spain.
i just bought “In defense of food”, but in spanish, obviously. My english is not good enough to understand a whole book.
But i have the two Michael Pollan books, “in defense of food” and “omnivore´s dilemma” in english in .pdf format.
If anyone wants it…..
N.
TSK,TSK, Katy dear. Sounds like jealousy all the way over here.
I have tried so hard to lose weight by running and dieting. At first it worked but all that craving came back and now im fat again. LoL
Since im from the Philippines, my biggest enemies are asian food, especially white rice!!
Hi Zuzana,
I have read a lot of stuff about how unhealthy pork actually is for a person. I think you have some great ideas about diet but not cutting out pork completely form your diet, in my opinion, is a mistake. A friend of mine printed out a 40 page article on the health risks of pork for me. I didnt know if you knew that pork is unhealthy because there are so many false articles out there telling about how healthy it is. If you havent, try searching the health risks of pork and you might be surprised at what you find. Pork is promoted because there is a lot of money in pig farming so there are a lot of lies told about how good it is for you. here is a link to just some of the facts about pork – http://www.ensignmessage.com/archives/porkfacts.html
Hi River Rat,
thanks for sharing the information, I will check that out.
Hi Zuzana and Frederick,
Let me say first that I absolutely love your website!
I would like to know what is your opinion on whey protein shakes? I purchased yesterday whey protein powder as I work out really hard 5-6 days a week and wanted to try it out but my friend said that it is not good. I’ve done some research and most of the websites say that whey protein is not really harmful to our bodies but after reading your opinion on here I’m not sure now!
Many thanks
Mags
Hi Mags,
We personally don’t eat it because we are focusing down on getting what we need out of real foods. It’s everyone’s individual choice and preference of course – you have to decide what works for you and your lifestyle.
I love your site!!!!! Thank you for making our lives better – Zuzana and Frederick!!! You guys are amazing. I have recommended your site to so many of my friends and family and they’re losing weight and living a better and healthier lifestyle already. And best of all – your site is free!!!!!
And it’s pathetic that someone like Katy would point out something so irrelevant. Who cares what anyone chooses to do with their body? It’s her body and her choice. This site isn’t a debate about plastic surgery, it’s about overall wellness, fitness and diet.
Instead of focusing on someone’s bustline, why don’t you try working out and eating right & consume your time being positive, then maybe you’d have a body as great as Zuzana’s and you won’t be sitting there at the computer making jealous comments. lol
Frederick, Come on…. I’m with Tabby, DARK Chocolate is the way to go. Loved this post, great and very important topic. I just started working a new client today and began coaching her on eating habits. I feel as a personal trainer it’s not just about physical training, but mental training as well. This post shares a lot of the same beliefs as Kevin Trudeau’s books.
Annie
Annie,
I will never change to the “Dark Side”.
It completely boggles my mind how someone can misconstrue the purpose of Zuzana and Frederick’s goal when talking about clean eating. Of COURSE they weren’t talking about ALL chemicals, we’re not idiots. Well, guess that’s not completely true. I would feel pretty insulted if Frederick went into an explanation of what chemicals he’s actually talking about, the additives that is added to mass produced food, or the periodic table of elements.
Katy, your comment was nasty and spiteful. For someone who claims to love the site, all you had to do was read through all the posts that Zuzana and Frederick have written from the beginning and you would see that they shifted in their school of thought regarding health and nutrition. That’s what usually happens when you learn something new about something you’re passionate about. Then you learn something else and then some and voila, you discover something you weren’t fully aware of before.
Sorry for the rant. I realize that Zuzana and Frederick don’t need spokespeople or someone to ‘defend’ them, but that comment just really annoyed the shit outta me. It was completely uncalled for an unnecessary. This is a personal blog, not a “Hey what do you think about this”? platform. You don’t agree, GTFO.
SO in conclusion, “No offense”, but Katy – you’re an idiot.
Hi Yelena,
your comment made our day and we were laughing our heads off :) thanks for your support, you are great.
If only everyone could do this! My husband has gone from eating a cherry pie every couple of days (I”m not kidding…he’d bake it and leave it on the counter, having a piece every couple of hours and then bake another when he ran out), McDonalds cheeseburgers a couple times a week, and an array of other unhealthy processed “food.” He saw the light one day, I’m not sure who turned it on, and just stopped. He eats only lean grilled chicken a couple times a week, veggies galore, fruit only smoothies and I make him a lot of veggie broth soups. He also eats brown rice and a variety of beans that I soak and cook myself. He didn’t do any real excersise, just 2 miles of walking a day, which burned only maybe 250 calories. In 2 months, his body reacted to dropping 35 lbs. Seriously, dropped it. Food is not the enemy…those who make it into something else are. We eat in such a boring way, and yet, even my kids feel the difference. Last night dinner was about 4 tomatoes each sliced, broiled with a sprinkle of fresh mozerella cheese on them, with a 16 bean soup. Not a casserole, no pizza, and no rolls. Just simply food. The change, I believe, has saved my husbands life, literally. Now if I can get him to add the exercise! Just finished your Ab torture again…love it. Will show my 6 pack that I thought I’d never get until I found your website and have started following it. THANKS!
Hi Karena,
Great comment!
Hi Zuzana and Frederick,
Ive been following your site for a long time and i really appreciate your work. “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Sounds good for me but somtimes I think its impossible to follow thi statment. I live in China now for 4 years(study), and sometimes I think it doesnt matter what kind of food you gonna buy here, it will always contain chemical things :( even fruits and vegetables.If u buy some milk it will take u more then one week to make it sour :) God knows what they put into it!!!
…yeah and the hardest thing for me to give up r sweets and bread, I think that is because of my family eating habits, I wish my parents never gave me chocalate and stuff like that!
Hey Katy,
Stop feeding your ‘Green Eyed Monster’ all those so called wonderfull chemical and un-natural foods you like so much and put it on a cleaner diet, you may just notice a change in its attitude.
Sorry Z couldn’t help myself, Katy rubbed me up the wrong way. There’s always one isn’t there who tries to bring you Down to Their level.
Power on girlfriend and keep up the excellent work.
Thank you Daisy :)
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