In Defense of Food: An Eater's ManifestoIn Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto
Score Modern
What it's about
Michael Pollan argues that the more Americans have worried about nutrition, the less healthy they have become, because science and the food industry taught people to think about nutrients instead of food. He sums up his alternative in seven words: 'Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.' Then he explains what 'food' really means, and how to eat well.
Why it's worth reading
It spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times list. It's short, clear and changed how many readers shop and cook.
You'll love it if you liked
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us
The Gene: An Intimate HistoryGood to know
It's short. Some nutrition science has moved on, but the basic advice holds up.
By the numbers
- Readers58 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller72 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #150 of the 290 memoirs and biographies we rank
- #477 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #913 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story
More by Michael Pollan
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
How to Change Your Mind
A World Appears: A Journey Into ConsciousnessIf you like this, read next
Becoming
Greenlights
Tuesdays with Morrie
Shoe Dog
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
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Quick answers
Is In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto worth reading?
Yes. It spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times list. It ranks #913 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 73.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto about?
Michael Pollan argues that the more Americans have worried about nutrition, the less healthy they have become, because science and the food industry taught people to think about nutrients instead of food. He sums up his alternative in seven words: 'Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.' Then he explains what 'food' really means, and how to eat well.
How long does it take to read In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto?
About 6 hours (232 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto?
If you liked it, try The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan, An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong or The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee.