Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual
Release date: 2011 / 240 pages
Synopsis (from the back cover): 
First Sentence:
Review: First, in the interest of full disclosure: I am a disciple of Micheal Pollan. In Defense of Food revolutionized the way I look at what I put into my body and the Omnivore’s Dilemma changed the way I looked at agriculture (and how I grazed my horses). I also read The Botany of Desire, but didn’t enjoy this one as much as his others. I completely believe that what we put into our bodies has a singular influence over our health — mind, body, and soul.
So, when TLC asked if I would like to review Pollan’s latest, I jumped at the chance. Food Rules is a condensed version of his other works — all of his other works — in a small, technicolor primer. Food Rules is divided into three parts that coincide with Pollan’s guiding principle: 1. Eat food. 2. Not too much. 3. Mostly plants. Each section is then filled with “rules”– traditions, philosophical quips, old wives’ tales — that correspond to each section and have stood the test of time.
For example, the Eat Food section includes rules like “Avoid food products containing ingredients that a 3rd grader cannot pronounce” and “Eat only food that will eventually rot.” Mostly Plants includes “Don’t eat breakfast cereals that change the color of the milk” and other clever ways to avoid “edible foodlike substances” or overly processed foods. Not Too Much includes rules like “Pay more, Eat less” (the assumption is that if we spend more for better food, we will eat less of it and with more care and eventually spend less on health care) and “If You’re Not Hungry Enough to Eat an Apple, then You’re Probably Not Hungry.”
Food Rules is accessible, helpful, and fun — and much shorter than his seminal works. I read this in about 30 minutes and while I did not learn anything new, I still appreciated the reminders and look forward to putting this on the bedside of my guest room in hopes of helping my loved ones eat a bit better (so no giveaway, I’m afraid…).
I really enjoyed BOTANY OF DESIRE but it is certainly very different than his other books. I’m glad you liked this new edition of FOOD RULES! I didn’t realize it was quite that short … makes it even easier for me to find the time to read it.
Thanks for being on the tour.