Food Rule 27: Eat Animals That Have Themselves Eaten Well
Ok, first things first. If you’re a vegetarian or a vegan, then this topic probably doesn’t much apply to you. I don’t advocate for starting to eat meat if you don’t already do so, unless you find yourself unable to thrive on a vegetarian or vegan diet. And if that’s the case, I have suggestions for you on resources & people to talk to you if you feel strongly about staying vegetarian or vegan. I believe we should all eat whatever diet suits us best, as long as the food we eat is responsibly sourced and healthy.
And as long as that diet includes dark chocolate. (Ha!)
But I digress. (Surprise, surprise!)
On the other hand, the overall point that it seems to me that Pollan is making with this rule is that our food should be high in nutritional quality and low in chemicals. If you’re a meat eater, you will get more nutrients from animals that have had healthy diets and good lifestyles. The fats will be healthier, and the meat (as well as milk and eggs) will contain higher levels of the vitamins we need. Pasture-raised meat and free-range poultry can be satisfying both from an ethical perspective, as the animals have better lifestyles, as well as from a nutrition perspective. There is, after all, an advertising slogan that the best milk comes from happy cows. It really isn’t all that ridiculous a statement! Economically, it isn’t always feasible. So-called factory-farmed meat and eggs are frequently considerably cheaper than pasture-raised.
At the end of the day, the important thing is to eat real food that’s been minimally processed. (And no, by that I don’t mean eat raw chicken. That’s a terrible plan.)
Cheers! Here’s to your health!