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"You are what you eat" is the old adage that applies to our bodies. But our personal philosophies, morals, and beliefs--as well as our health--are shaped by what we read. Since Nutrition Action doesn't have a book review section, I'd like to alert you to several interesting reads.

While a vegetarian diet offers many benefits to our health and to the environment, a more omnivorous option is eloquently advocated by University of California journalism professor Michael Pollan in The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals (Penguin Press, 2006).

Pollan gently skewers typical agribusiness--giant pesticide-sprayed corn farms that produce feed for cattle that end up as fast-Food burgers, as well as raw material for the high-fructose corn syrup that sweetens the accompanying Cokes. He also delivers a well-aimed poke at Big Organic--the corporate growers that fill the shelves (and coffers) at Whole Paycheck (oops, I mean Whole Foods).

Pollan showers encomiums on the small farms that humanely and ecologically raise cattle, pigs, and chickens and sell their meat, milk, and eggs locally. Yet the book largely ignores the damage those foods do to our health.

* For a beautifully illustrated cookbook that's chock full of scrumptious, healthy recipes that emphasize plant foods, pick up the 306-page The New American Plate Cookbook (University of California Press, 2005), which is published by the nonprofit American Institute for Cancer Research.

From appetizers to desserts, you can choose from the simple (Chilled Strawberry Soup) to the simpler-than-you'd-think (Heirloom Whole Wheat Bread) to the for-when-you-have-time (Portobello Mushroom Jambalaya with Chicken).

阅读造就你我