Author: Bee Wilson
 |
| via Amazon |
Food writer Bee Wilson tackles the eating habits of 21st century society. Unsurprisingly, there's a lot of alarming news. To be sure, we live in an age of unprecedented abundance and less of the world lives in on the brink of starvation than at any point in history. But that's not to say we're eating well. The reach of over-processed food produced by global corporation is ever growing, spreading American-esque obesity trends wherever it extends. We don't eat sit down meals any more. We don't even necessarily set aside time for meals any more. Fad diets do little to actually make us healthier. It's all pretty grim, especially for the poor.
And yet, there is hope. Eating patterns evolve over time and Wilson offers plenty of thoughts on how to encourage the evolution in healthy directions. Furthermore, as global habits trend away from a healthy acquaintance with our food and its sources, many - my wife, for instance - are making the deliberate choice to cook more of their own food. The author also includes an epilogue with practical advice for simple, manageable ways one can improve personal habits. One bit of advice she didn't include so I will: if you care about the way people eat, give thought to how you vote, both with the ballot and with your wallet.
I started the book during Thanksgiving week, a time when Americans celebrate abundance with excess. It reminded me of how grateful I should be for the life I have. We eat well and we're lucky to live in Vermont, a state that takes farm to table principles seriously. I'm certainly lucky to be married to a woman who, in addition to being an exceptional cook, works hard to find and use local ingredients. Compared to the average person, I don't eat much processed food - thanks more to her habits than my own. That's not to say I don't have room for improvement because I certainly do. It all falls apart when she's out of town. But overall, I'm extremely fortunate.
This is my fourth Bee Wilson book and I always learn a lot from them. Highly recommended.
Sounds like an interesting read. Have you read any of Michael Pollan's books on our food habits?
ReplyDeleteOf Pollan's books, I have read both The Omnivore's Dilemma and The Botany of Desire. Both are good. However, I prefer Dan Barber's The Third Plate.
DeleteThis sounds like a fascinating book and one that was not on my radar. Thanks for sharing. I hope to check it out soon. :) ~Jess
ReplyDelete