Micheal Pollan - I ONE

The age of Nutritionism: ONE-From Foods to Nutrients

Since the early 19^th century scientists have been trying to figure out how food turns into flesh and energy. They started with Protien, Carbs and Fat. Sailors still got sick on voyages…oops! Forgot vitamins! They isolated nutrients from foods and then synthesized them in a lab.

Epidemiologists observed that during the war years, when dairy and meat were rationed, heart disease went down only to leap up again after the war. Based on this “lipid hypothesis”, in 1977 the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs chaired by Senator George McGovern created the Dietary Goals for the US which plainly suggested that Americans “eat less meat and dairy”. Of course the lobbyists were outraged and McGovern, being from South Dakota, really took the heat (Lots of cattle in SD) The recommendation was changed to read, “choose meats, poultry, and fish that will reduce saturated fat intake” What the hell does that mean to your average person!?!? Lobbyists are powerful and the food industry has many! Never again did the US dietary guidelines mention a particular food…only the obscure nutrients.

Because of this, we now have a large picture of misinformation. Studies show that groups with higher cancer rates consumed more fats and fewer plant foods, so the cancer could be caused by dietary cholesterol OR lack of plants. Scientists study the nutrients that fight cancer and other diseases, but how do we know it’s not something else in the orange besides the vitamin C that’s helpful? So, we have recommendations that say “avoid saturated fats and eat antioxidants” instead of “eat less beef and more broccoli”.

Because of the 1982 National Academy of Science report we speak in terms like polyunsaturated, cholesterol, monounsaturated, carbohydrate, fiber, polyphenols, amino acids, flavonols, carotenoids, antioxidants, probiotics and phytochemicals instead of FOOD. We don’t eat food anymore, we eat nutrients!