Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Professor Lohmeyer
29 October 2017
authors David Freedman and Michael Pollan. Both are highly accomplished authors who have
written about the issue of our food and health. Freedman has written for The Atlantic, and
Freedmans essay How Junk Food Can Obesity and Pollans essay Escape from the Western
Diet. From what I have gathered Pollan is a strict follower of the whole foods movement, and
Freedman is more hesitant to the movement. Hopefully this interview will give us and the
News Reporter: We will start by asking you each the same question. What is the culprit behind
Pollan: I firmly believe that the culprit behind our obesity epidemic is overly processed foods.
We should simply avoid any food that has been processed to such an extent that it is more the
product of industry than of nature (424). Whole foods are a much better alternative to
processed ones.
News Reporter: Mr. Freedman, what are your views on this topic?
Freedman: I disagree with Pollans belief that processed foods are the problem. It is not how
the food is produced that is the issue. It is what the food contains. Sugar, calories, and
carbohydrates cause weight gain (517). I believe that many whole foods are unhealthier than
News Reporter: It seems that you two have very differing opinions on whole foods. I would like
you to both further explain your beliefs. Freedman, you can answer first this time.
Freedman: Whole foods are not any healthier than processed ones. Also, they are much more
expensive. At a caf in Ohio, I had a 16 ounce fruit smoothie that cost $9 and contained 300
calories (506). A few weeks later, I had a similar smoothie at McDonalds that cost $3 and
contained a modest 220 calories (507). Our culture needs to ditch the belief that fast food is
automatically unhealthy.
News Reporter: Pollan, now your belief on the whole foods vs processed foods debate.
Pollan: My belief is that whole foods result in greater health because of how our food and
environment are linked together. Healthy food starts with healthy soil, which results in healthy
plants and animals (425). When food is processed, additives are added and it is no longer
healthy.
News Reporter: The next question that I would like to ask is how do you believe our obesity
Pollan: I believe that to become healthier we need to go back in time and eat like our
ancestors. In order to eat well we need to invest more time, effort, and resources into
providing our sustenance (425). This means eating more whole foods. Our food today is too
convenient. We spend very little time planning and preparing food (425). Processed foods
Freedman: Yes, I would like to respond. Although some studies show that people who eat
whole foods tend to be healthier than people who live on fast and processed food, there is
simply no clear evidence that any aspect of food processing or storage makes a food uniquely
unhealthy (519-520). For the poorer population, eating whole foods is not a possibility. It is
News Reporter: Freedman, now would you like to give your solution for the obesity epidemic.
Freedman: The best solution to lowering obesity is already being practiced. Fast food
restaurants are currently offering menu items with lower calories. I experienced this personally
when I went to a McDonalds and ordered one of their new Premium McWraps. The McWrap
came at an affordable price and was lower in calories than most items served in whole foods
restaurants. This is a great way to help the public because it is a small change that doesnt
News Reporter: This question is for you Pollan, what guidelines should eaters follow?
Pollan: I believe that eaters should follow three simple rules. The rules are Eat Food, Not too
much, Mostly plants (426). Eat Food means eat real foods and not processed ones. Mostly
Plants states that plants are the best type of food to eat. Not Too Much is the rule of
consuming in moderation. These rules are easier to follow than the complex nutritional
Freedman: These rules would work as long as it is feasible to follow them. Many times health
foods cannot be afforded, especially fruits and vegetables. This is why the obese regularly
News Reporter: Freedman, this next question is for you. How do you feel about sustainable
farming?
Freedman: While small farms that produce wholesome foods may be better for the
environment than larger farms, we are more likely to save and improve lives by focusing more
on cutting obesity (520). The act of converting industrial farms to small organic farms would be
much better for the environment, but it is not a feasible way to feed our large population.
News Reporter: Pollan, what is your response to Freedmans claims about food and our
environment?
Pollan: I agree with Freedman that smaller farms would greatly improve our environment, but I
disagree with him that it wouldnt provide a large benefit to our health. The healthier our soil
and environment is the healthier our food will be. Once we go back in time to when we were
News Reporter: Our final question goes to Freedman. What is your opinion of the illusion that
whole foods are healthier than processed foods based solely on the belief that processed foods
are bad. You can still take in obscene amounts of fat and problem carbs while eating
wholesomely (517). It needs to be known processing has little effect on obesity. The
News Reporter: Well thank you both for answering these questions. After hearing your
statements, the public should be able to decide which side of the issue they stand on. I have to
agree with Freedman and his assertion that fast food restaurants are best suited to combat the
obesity epidemic.
Works Cited:
Freedman, David. How Junk Food Can End Obesity They Say I Say, edited by Gerald Graff,
Cathy Birkenstein, and Russel Durst, W.W Norton & Company, 2014, pp. 506-537
Pollan, Michael. Escape from the Western Diet They Say I Say, edited by Gerald Graff, Cathy
Birkenstein, and Russel Durst, W.W Norton & Company, 2014, pp. 420-427