Michael Pollan, "Unhappy Meals," New York Times, January 28, 2007

When you have completed your reading, you should be able to:

1. Summarize the author’s view of the roles played by nutritionists, the food industry, and journalists in creating widespread confusion about what people should eat.
2. Summarize the author’s distinction between “food” and “nutrients.”
3. Explain what the author means by “nutritionism,” and why he thinks it is pernicious.
4. Describe and evaluate the author’s criticisms of allegedly “bad science” conducted by nutritionists.
5. Evaluate the article in light of the claim that the difference between “food” and “not-food” is to some degree a cultural matter (Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction, chapter 2). 

“6 Food Mistakes Parents Make,” New York Times, September 15, 2008

When you have completed your reading, you should be able to:

1. Discuss a variety of parental behaviors and the potential impact of those behaviors on their children’s eating.