The New York Times again tackles agribusiness, organic food production and healthy eating

Excellent story in today's New York Times that examines the ugly realities of the American diet and the basic, inexpensive options available to anyone who wants to eat more healthfully.  The story, written by Mark Bittman, author of Food Matters:  A Guide to Conscious Eating, includes some alarming facts about the American diet, including:

* 7 percent of our calories come from soft drinks, more than we get from vegetables

* The top food group by caloric intake is now....sweets.  Yikes!

* Americans consume an average of 2 pounds of animal products per DAY

The article cites the great Michael Pollan, who's long championed the idea that we should eat more plant-based foods (he's not vegetarian or vegan) for our own health, and has advocated for locally grown, regional "food networks" as an overhaul of our agribusiness system of food production.  Pollan maintains that for our own health we must shift away from processed "edible, food like substances" and instead consume whole foods, increasingly from the plant kingdom. 

And while organic is preferable for those that can afford it, one need not buy organic food to maximize the health benefits associated with eating.  The key is to avoid processed food whenever possible, minimize meat and animal products and increase consumption of fruits, fresh vegetables and whole grains.

The article follows another great piece in today's Times that examines the whole food/locally grown food movement that may enjoy greater momentum given the Obama administration's common-sense approach to food production and human health.  

It's so encouraging to see these issues continually bandied about in the national press.