Examination of Poor Nutrition in Pollan's Escape from the Western Diet

Most people can go on a diet, but can we escape a diet? Everyone has his or her own opinion on what a healthy diet looks like. The Western diet is deemed to be unhealthy, and we need to find a way to escape the Western diet. In “Escape from the Western Diet,” Michael Pollan argues that the Western diet is unhealthy. He argues that there is obviously something wrong with what and how we are eating. He also tries to prove that current solutions to escape this diet isn’t effective. Pollan thinks we need to escape the Western diet as it is deemed unhealthy. Even though Pollan uses weak pathos, his strong use of logos and fair use of ethos makes his argument successful.

Firstly, Pollan’s strong use of logos helps make his argument effective to his audience. He provides clear statements that he then must prove that is true. He makes it logically sound that it makes sense. For example, “[And] many of the scientific theories put forth to account for exactly what in the Western diet is responsible for Western diseases conflict with one another” (Pollan 850). This is not self-evident. You would have to look this up or read more which in case he proves that this is true. Pollan explains, “The lipid hypothesis cannot be reconciled with the carbohydrate hypothesis, and the theory that a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids (call it the neolipid hypothesis) is chiefly to blame for chronic illness is at odds with the theory that refined carbohydrates are the key” (850-851) He explains to the reader why he thinks that and puts his own logic behind it proving that the statement is true. Another example is when Pollan states, “Americans spend less than 10 percent of their income on food; they also spend less than a half hour a day preparing meals and a little more than an hour enjoying them” (855). He uses statistics to prove to his readers that this is true and incorporates numbers which leads the reader to follow his logic. He also brings history into it by saying, “For most people for most of history, gathering and preparing food has been an occupation at the very heart of daily life” (Pollan 856). As well as using numbers, this is used to lead the reader to follow his logic. Pollan makes his argument strong with the use of effective logos.

Even though Pollan uses weak pathos, it still contributes to his effective argument. He never really used pathos effectively as he could have. For example, Pollan states, “People eating a Western diet are prone to complex of chronic diseases that seldom strike people eating more traditional diets” (851). It is used as a provoking thought and puts fear into people’s minds. He uses fear throughout his article. Pollan uses analogies to relate to pathos. He states, “That is probably why you now find some of the most fervent critics of the lipid hypothesis with the same absolutist zeal that they once condemned in the Fat Boys” (Pollan 851). He compares the lipid hypothesis to the Fat Boys. The Fat Boys was an American hip hop trio in the early 1980s. Pollan also states, “In the course of my own research into these theories, I have been specifically warned by scientists allied with the carbohydrate camp not to ‘fall under the spell of the omega-3 cult’” (851). He uses the contradictory word ‘cult’ to produce fear. Pollan compares science to religion by stating, “There is a lot more religion in science than you might expect” (851) His tone throughout the article is urgent as we need to take care of the Western diet. He uses scientific language to develop his argument which then the reader thinks he knows what he is talking about. In other parts, he uses advanced but approachable use of language. He uses his simplest language at the end of his article. Pollan doesn’t use pathos effectively, but it doesn’t really effect his argument.

Thirdly, the good use of ethos makes Pollan’s argument valid. He has written many books about food and nutrition. He was named one of Time’s Most Influential People in 2010 (Birkenstein, Durst, and Graff). Pollan also teaches at the University of California at Berkeley as a professor in journalism. However, he doesn’t have a degree in nutritionism. He cites other sources from where he gets his information and uses quotes from scientists. He writes, “Whole foods and industrial foods are only two food groups I’d consider in including any useful food pyramid” (qtd in Pollan 853) describes George Scrinis’ who coined the term nutritionism. He uses outside sources to appeal to his readers to make sure they know he is reliable. He quotes Burkitt who says, “The only way we’re going to reduce disease is to go backwards to the diet and lifestyle of our ancestors” (qtd in Pollan 853) which was talking about going back to the way our ancestors ate. It was healthier back in the olden times. Ethos would have been stronger if the pathos weren’t so weak.

Pollan introduces a new way for us to eat a healthier diet. He tries to persuade us to eat a new, improved, and healthier diet. He also informs us about his opinion on the western diet and that we need to possibly escape from it. Pollan used a variety of examples of logos making his argument valid and strong. He used many different examples from the text. However, Pollan’s pathos could have been stronger. It pulled on some heart strings, if you or a loved one has a disease. Pollan uses good ethos making his argument valid. The use of strong logos, weak pathos, and good ethos make Pollan’s argument strong and valid. So, what are you going to do?

Are you going to try and escape the Western diet or continue to eat what you eat daily? It could change your life. Choose wisely. “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants” (Pollan 856).