Michael Pollan On Oprah: Let's Vote With Our Forks (VIDEO)

Wednesday, Oprah hosted Michael Pollan author and food expert to talk about his latest book, Food Rules, and the Documentary Food, Inc. which takes a behind the scenes look at the industrial food system and how we eat in America. Oprah praised the film on the show as "eye-opening and thought-provoking." One of Oprah's favorite aspects of the film was how empowering the film was to individual people: "the consumer really is the biggest voice behind whether or not there will be change or not, because everyone, the industries, and the corporations respond to what the people demand," she declared.

Oprah goes on to ask Pollan what he eats and what he buys and the grocery store, and jokes about her past history with the beef industry suing her.

WATCH:

Comments

[Home Green]

05:09 PM on 02/02/2010

I really liked this video. I think Michael Pollan did a great job explaining the issues our culture is facing with food. I am reading his book "In Defense of Food" and it is a great read. He really puts the issues in the open and explains where are food system has gone astray. I wrote a review on my blog at www.home-green.net if your interested in hearing more.

I think it's great Pollan got the coverage on Oprah and it is great this information is getting out there!

[amaycatbaker]

09:15 AM on 02/02/2010

There is a huge amount of grass in this country. Can we eat it? All it does is make stuff "look good". That grass takes loads of water.

Get rid of anti-urban farming laws. Turn our yard into food producing environments. Dandilions make good salad greens, you can grow fruit trees instead of just trees. Have a goat, and one goat for milk.

We could make living in a city more enjoyable, turn some park land into community farms. The places by roads could turn into berry patches. Imagine picking black berries by walmart?

[LolaP]

08:51 AM on 02/02/2010

I don't understand why she had to sit on the fence at the end going 'oh well you have your opinions, i have mine, viewers have theirs'
It's not a friggin opinion, he's telling it the way it IS.

[WYHKTai-Tai]

03:46 AM on 02/02/2010

I just saw Food Inc. great film. I already shop at the local "wet market" (like a farmers market) for fruit & veggies, & back-yard raised chickens. But now even shopping in the 'middle aisles' of the supermarkets, I'm sticking to organic for flour, staples etc.... ANYTHING to undercut Monsanto! I'll even bring my magnifying glasses to read the fine fine print!
I like that brand "Bob's Red Mill".

[AnimalLover6]

09:25 PM on 02/01/2010

Go Vegan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIO4sJA0EAo

[Treehuggindirtworshiper]

11:35 AM on 02/01/2010

Eat fresh eat local. Not a new concept. Glad to see O promoting this. I would have liked to see her promote how to find local farms. I for one don't go to a shows website to find out more about the topic because it seems like they hide the info so you have to navigate their website find what your looking for.

[amaycatbaker]

09:16 AM on 02/02/2010

This is a great idea. I am for just getting rid of grass all together.

[Lesscancer]

10:44 AM on 02/01/2010

Health Care begins in the grocery store.
If we are ever to move away from the break and fix model of health care we as individuals must also invest in prevention.We don't have to wait to make that investment we can start today by making healthier choices when we shop for groceries..

Bill Couzens, Founder Less Cancer

[jgarma]

09:47 PM on 01/30/2010

I love this stuff... it's encouraging to see this on Oprah cause she's getting this awareness out to the mainstream, and it will take all of us to change the food making and distribution system in this country.

Oprah keeps returning to this topic. She interviewed an 86 year-old billionaire who extensively juices and eats only the healthiest foods on the planet: http://bit.ly/BillionaireFood

Of course, this video segment only touches on how to eat better. Pollan's book is an eye-opener, and perhaps this article will help inspire those reluctant to examine their diet and make some changes:
http://bit.ly/Diet101

Yep.

Jgarma

[operaglass]

09:38 PM on 01/30/2010

Great video, thanks.

[FreeSpeech4All]

07:04 PM on 01/30/2010

I am so glad this issue is finally gaining a national audience. Michael Pollan is awesome and is doing much to bring awareness to our unhealthy food system. There is much that needs to change about what we eat, and it's also tied to so many other things in our country, including our failed health care system.

[7tsgirl]

02:27 AM on 01/31/2010

i am glad that the conversation is growing! i just watched Food Inc, on demand a few days ago and I was blown away! I have been telling everyone that I know to watch it.

[Godweiser]

06:26 PM on 01/30/2010

Prepare fresh, guys. I occasionally fall off the wagon and eat something frozen and convenient., but the reality is that preparing your own food goes a long way toward improving your overall health.

[BannedInBoston]

06:06 PM on 01/30/2010

I'm going to make a plug for Weight Watchers here. But first I want to make it clear that I am NOT in the employ of WW. However, I just lost 45 lbs. over the past year with them and seem to be keeping it off. WW is not just for weight loss but for an entire healthy life style that includes plenty of exercise, etc. What it does do is to force you to pay attention to what you eat. And it's all about portion control. You can eat anything you want (although certain foods such as those Michael Pollard is talking about are recommended) as long as you keep track, simply limit how much you eat, and get plenty of exercise. Sounds simple. And it IS! AND it works!...

[BannedInBoston]

05:31 PM on 01/30/2010

Fast food is revolting, that's for sure....

[ebanks84]

05:06 PM on 01/30/2010

I've been preaching this since last year when I realized that MONSANTO was k!lling us in our foods. People didn't listen to me then but I hope what this man said is taken under consideration because it's so true. Most CORN products are grown and by MONSANTO seeds which are de.adly and most farmers are made to use them. It's been the biggest conspiracy in all times upon the people of this country. That's why PROCESSED foods are the worse foods we can eat and all you can afford in the supermarkets. Only the BETTER markets even sell fresh foods and vegetarian foods and they are only in the best neighborhoods.

The poor and disadvantage has been used and abused for so many years by corporate america and that is why even wealthier people nowadays are also obese. Nobody can escape the damage that MONSANTO has done to our population. It's time that we woke up and change our eating habits right away to avoid the illnesses and pharmaceuticals we have been required to take because of high blood pressure and diabetes. It all evolves around diet.

I only buy now from a farmer's market whenever I can get there. Otherwise I read labels like crazy and hope they are telling the truth.

[jgarma]

01:53 AM on 01/31/2010

You're right!

Agribusiness subsidies produce the food that makes us fat… and fat contributes to chronic illness.
The numbers are staggering: http://bit.ly/SubsidizedFood

The late Peter Jennings did a provocative documentary on the subject which you can view here:
http://bit.ly/JenningsSpecial

Yep.

Jgarma

[9liberal]

03:03 PM on 01/30/2010

I love him...great show, and great points...This is the conversation that needs to be had in order to change so many aspects of our lives. Healthcare would be cheaper....so many things would benefit from this.

[ebanks84]

04:50 PM on 01/30/2010

And we would finally be able to beat the obesity that has taken over our country because of the very bad processed foods.

[BannedInBoston]

06:12 PM on 01/30/2010

Like your av. My son is a Cap. (I'm a Leo with a Pisces Moon. Boy, is that fun!)