Eating Disorder

In Pollan’s article “Our National Eating Disorder”, he analyzed the symptoms and the causes of American national eating disorder. I find out the two main factors, which cause the disorder eating habit of Americans. First, as the article mentions, “a scientific study, a new government guideline, a lone crackpot with a medical degree can alter this nation's diet overnight.”(Pollan, 1) Many Americans blindly pursue eating health without direction and consideration. Any scientific researches about food are authentic for them and they will follow these theories without hesitation.  Another factor that causes Americans disorder eating habits is their worrying about food.  For instance, many Americans will feel guilty after eating a piece of cheesecake or a chocolate cake because both of them may lead to obesity.  Eating healthily seems to be the primary food value of most Americans. However, people from French do not worry too much when they are eating; they just enjoy various delicious cuisines. The food value of most French people is eating for pleasure. And surprisingly, French people are healthier than most American people although they eat much “unhealthy” food to Americans. Why? As the author says in his article, “they eat small portions and don't go back for seconds; they don't snack; they seldom eat alone, and communal meals are long, leisurely affairs.”(4) This is exactly what I think. Americans may go back and get another chocolate cake after finishing the first one, while French people eat food in small portions and eat different kinds of food without going back for second one. French people can both enjoy various kinds of food and keep healthy because of their reasonable and right attitudes about eating. So Pollan comes up with the conclusion - “our anxious eating itself may be part of the American problem with food.”(4) But “social and psychological context in which it is eaten” is quite difficult to change in the near future. Pollan’s analysis about anxious eating attitude of Americans and the comparison between American’s food value and that of French people is the most interesting part of his analysis. As for me, eating for pleasure is the first priority; I eat whatever I like. But I still concern about eating healthily. I always eat a lot of vegetable and fruit during each meal.