Author Michael Pollan, actress Alicia Silverstone, and the documentary Food Inc. inspired Oprah to provide viewers with food 101 information to make the right choices and decisions regarding the issue for themselves.
Original Air Date:
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Guests:
Oprah welcomed author/journalist Michael Pollan, actress/author Alicia Silverstone, Chipotle founder Steve Ells, and clips from the documentary Food Inc..
Show Summary:
Do you know where the food in your home comes from, or what you are actually buying when you go grocery shopping? This episode was inspired by a number of books and the documentary film Food Inc. Oprah wanted to provide honest information for viewers to make decisions about the products that they purchase and how that can influence the body. Journalist and author Michael Pollan and actress Alicia Silverstone shared their knowledge of health and nutrition and Oprah also spoke with Steve Ells who started Chipotle to show the alternatives to traditional fast food.
Special Highlights:
This episode featured the following highlights:
- After a food IQ test, it was clear that the audience as a representative sample of the country was confused about a number of food facts and how to make good choices at the market.
- The documentary Food Inc. revealed behind-the-scenes of how food is processed to make more food with less land at a cheaper price, but with what consequences.
- Michael Pollan's point revolves around encouraging American's to eat minimally processed food, whether it be animal, plant, or fungi. The key is to choose whole foods that were grown under the best conditions, even if it does cost more, the benefits outweigh the price.
More Highlights:
- Alicia Silverstone chose to be vegan and found the lifestyle change benefited her energy, skin, digestion, and regulated her weight. Alicia's book doesn't encourage eliminating animal products, but discusses flirting with diet changes and looking at alternatives.
- Alicia shared vegan recipes that are not only healthy, but taste great like an oatmeal walnut cookie made without sugar and an artichoke and mushroom crostini.
- Steve Ells of Chipotle showed how it's possible to have fast food that is also fresh, local, and organic - food actually cooked on site. How do they do this? By only making a few things and making them really well.
What to Take Away from the Show:
After hearing all of the information provided on this episode, viewers should have a foundation of information to make better food choices, or seek out more facts before making a more drastic change. The idea of cooking and sharing a meal together seems to be something forgotten by many Americans and replaced by keeping food consumption fast and cheap instead of an experience to be savored and enjoyed. Even Michael Pollan pointed out that junk food isn't bad if you make it yourself, which will also make you want to eat it less often. Eating whole foods that are minimally processed and finding simple recipes that make cooking fast and easy but also good for you is the best way to allow the foods you eat to work with you, not against you.
Products Featured in This Episode:
Michael Pollan - 'Omnivore's Dilemma'
Thorndike Press
Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals looks at three different paths to how food is grown and what those processes do to the environment. The book was named as one of the 10 best in 2006.
Michael Pollan - 'Food Rules'
Penguin Group USA
Michael Pollan's latest book Food Rules makes easy the information from his previous food books with a pocket guide that helps readers make better decisions at grocery stores or restaurants.
Alicia Silverstone - 'The Kind Diet'
Rodale Press
Alicia Silverstone's book The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet gives readers an overall view of veganism with recipes and food substitutes to help people who want to make the lifestyle change or simply lean into the idea.