Food Rules: An Eater's Manual

by Michael Pollan
Food Rules: An Eater's Manual cover
Good Books rating 4.12
Cookbooks / Food Writing
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Paperback • £7.99
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Technical
  • ID: 934
  • Added: 2025-09-23
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • ISBN: 9780141048680
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2010-05-27
  • Formats: 46
  • Reviews: 4

Food Rules by Michael Pollan offers a straightforward approach to mindful eating with a set of easy-to-remember adages. These 'personal policies' are gathered from a diverse range of sources, including mothers, nutritionists, and ancient cultures, providing practical advice for making better food choices. Whether you're at the supermarket or a restaurant, this pocket-sized handbook is designed to help you navigate the complexities of modern eating habits with simplicity and wisdom. /n/n The book emphasizes the importance of eating real food, prioritizing plants, and avoiding excess. Pollan's rules are not just about what to eat but also about how to eat, encouraging readers to be more conscious of their food choices and the impact they have on health and well-being. It's a practical and accessible guide for anyone looking to improve their diet without getting bogged down by complicated dietary theories.

Reviews
AmazingRibs.com · Meathead · 2025-10-18
practical 4.00

The book is noted for its concise and practical advice on good eating habits, making it a quick and useful read.

Meathead from AmazingRibs.com finds 'Food Rules' to be a concise and practical guide to better eating habits. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to summarize complex information into simple, memorable rules that can be easily incorporated into daily life. Meathead also notes that the book is short enough to be read quickly, making it a great resource for those looking to make immediate changes to their diet. The reviewer highlights the book's broad applicability, suggesting it as a valuable tool for anyone interested in improving their health through better eating.

Quick quotes

    A short paperback that you can easily swallow on a short airplane trip, Pollan summarizes what he has learned about good eating habits.

    The rules are simple, practical, and rooted in common sense.

    This is a book that can make a real difference in how you eat and how you think about food.

Core Strength Blog · 2013-03-16
practical 4.50

The book is highly recommended for those looking to improve their diet, despite the reviewer not being an avid reader. The straightforward structure and simple language make it accessible to everyone.

The reviewer from Core Strength Blog highly recommends 'Food Rules' for anyone looking to improve their diet. They admit they are not typically a reader but found the book's straightforward structure and simple language easy to follow. The reviewer appreciates how the book breaks down complex dietary advice into manageable rules, making it accessible even to those who might not enjoy reading. They believe the book's practical approach can help readers make meaningful changes in their eating habits without feeling overwhelmed.

Quick quotes

    I highly recommend this book for anyone who would like to improve his/her diet.

    The straightforward structure and simple, everyday English make it accessible to everyone.

    The book's practical approach can help readers make meaningful changes in their eating habits.

Pajiba · 2010-06-22
thoughtful 4.00

The book is described as easy to read but not necessarily easy to follow, emphasizing Pollan's expectation for readers to think critically about their food choices.

The reviewer from Pajiba notes that 'Food Rules' is easy to read but not necessarily easy to follow, highlighting Michael Pollan's expectation for readers to think critically about their food choices. They appreciate the book's no-nonsense approach, which avoids diet hype and instead focuses on practical, timeless advice. The reviewer acknowledges that while the book is straightforward, it requires a willingness to reflect on one's eating habits and make conscious changes. They find the book's simplicity and clarity to be its strongest assets, making it a valuable guide for those willing to engage with its messages.

Quick quotes

    Food Rules is not a diet book and has no room for hype.

    It's easy to read, but not necessarily easy to follow.

    Yes, Pollan expects you to think.

The New York Times · Mark Bittman · 2010-02-01
insightful 4.00

The book is praised as an accessible guide to healthier eating, drawing on timeless wisdom from various cultures. It's seen as a practical tool for anyone looking to improve their diet.

Mark Bittman, writing for The New York Times, highlights how 'Food Rules' is a concise and digestible guide to healthier eating. He appreciates the book's ability to distill complex dietary advice into simple, actionable rules that have stood the test of time across different cultures. Bittman emphasizes that this book is not just another diet fad but a thoughtful compilation of enduring wisdom that can benefit nearly anyone. He particularly likes how the book encourages readers to think critically about their food choices, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to make sustainable changes in their eating habits.

Quick quotes

    Michael Pollan's new book, 'Food Rules,' is an easy-to-digest guide to health and eating that could do almost anybody good.

    The book is not just another diet fad but a thoughtful compilation of enduring wisdom.

    It encourages readers to think critically about their food choices.

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