Feeling Better About Bittman

I have been less than enthusiastic (critical) about food writers like Michael Pollan and the New York Times' Mark Bittman for several reasons, not the least of which has been their unwillingness (in my opinion) to speak more honestly about what they know to be true: that consuming plant foods is a key ingredient in solutions to world-level issues like the healthcare crisis, world hunger, and ecology. I'm feeling better about Mark Bittman (not yet so much about Michael Pollan). In a recent (Oct 18) culinate.com interview here is what Bittman said:

Now I have some kind of philosophy: We should all be eating more like vegans — less meat, more plants. It’s the simplest thing in the world. You don’t need to know anything about health, phytonutrients, selenium, fat, salt — it’s all bullshit. The important thing is, you eat more plants and eat less of everything else. That’s what it all boils down to. . . . The key to survival is a plant-based diet. I don’t mean we have to be vegan, but we’re 90 percent nonvegan now. Begin by being semi-vegan.

Nice job, Mr. Bittman. Thanks for speaking up.

Another interesting article recently (Nov 7) in New York Magazine explains why "Vegetables Are the New Meat" in New York City. That makes it sound trendy, but some trends are good and result in permanent change.