The essays “Escape from the Western Diet” by Michael Pollan and “The Food as Thought: Resisting the Moralization of Food” by Mary Maxfield could not be more contrasting essays. Pollan writes about his opinions and feelings regarding nutrition, the "Western diet" and its repercussions. In response, Maxfield expresses his contrasting feelings and opinions, primarily targeting Pollan's hypocritical nature and contradictory views. Maxfield's opinions and suggestions represent a more realistic approach to everyday society and its many facets. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Michael Pollan is very adamant about his views on the "Western diet" and its effects on society. Pollan firmly believes that the overly processed nature of modern Western foods causes a plethora of disease and harm to humans. He states that “people who follow a Western diet are prone to a range of chronic diseases that rarely strike people who follow a more traditional diet” (Pollan 421). This is all based on the research he conducted and he was able to come to the conclusion “Stop following a Western diet” (421). Pollan realizes that this is easier said than done, but one of his methods of escaping Western rule is to "go back in time." Eating in a way that people eat together, enjoy their food, and take the time to prepare their meals is one of the main arguments Pollan makes. His thesis is simple, Pollan suggests: "...we would do well to act a little like a native: back, or perhaps forward, to a time and place where collecting, preparing and Food tasting were closer to the center. of a life well lived” (Pollan 426). When society as a whole looks back on the past and its practices, Pollan says the Western view of food will change: “Eat food. Not too much. Especially plants” (Pollan 426). This involves eating as naturally as possible, avoiding overly processed foods, and avoiding overeating. Mary Maxwell, on the other hand, is a firm believer in the idea that if you want to eat a food, whether it is healthy or not, and if it will be healthy. make you happy, just eat this food. Maxwell's essay is a very clear rebuttal to Pollan's essay and thoughts on the Western diet, but she also offers her own views and opinions on how everyone should go about eating in their own life. The moralization of food is the main argument of Maxwell's essay. She believes that eating "naturally", as nature intended, is viewed by society as disgusting and uncivilized, stating that "as a culture, when we imagine eating like animals, we envision a feeding frenzy [ ...] Adult human beings are allowed to eat whatever and as much as they want, [and] what people really hear is 'Go out and stuff your face with Twinkies.' » (Maxwell 446). She believes this is true and is why Western societies are so obsessed with "eating healthy" and avoiding foods traditionally considered unhealthy, like processed, fried, and sugary foods. Maxwell writes: “When we try to rise above our animal nature through the moralization of food, we unnecessarily complicate the..