I Want To Eat Cheetos By Guthman Analysis

“At best, fat people are seen as victims of food, bad genetics codes, or bad metabolism; at worst, they are slovenly, stupid, or without resolve” (Guthman 127). Julie Guthman states in her essay, “Can’t Stomach it: How Michael Pollan el al. Made I Want to Eat Cheetos” her point of view on the obesity epidemic. Her view was clearly states that, she disagreed with the author’s and doctor’s arrogant take on the epidemic. One of her main points in her essay is, “it has become common to speak of an epidemic of obesity” (Guthman 127), but in reality the epidemic is much more complex situation. Other authors agree with Guthman with similar view points, tone, and also similar action routes to end the epidemic. These authors are, Jennifer Webb, Mallory
Doctors and authors take advantage of this epidemic by fat shaming the public through media, making them feel weak. When they are at their weakest, the media swops right in with their books that support supplements for a quick fix (Guthman). The diet industry, backed up by doctors and authors, seek out obese as their meal tickets. Since the media has created an image of what someone should look like, the obese feel criticized and think they stick out like a sore thumb. The obese who are criticized are pouring money into the media but also supporting the doctors and authors by buying their products. This causes the epidemic to spread (Guthman). Instead of promoting quick fixes, doctors and authors with the support of the media, need to come up with healthy answers to end the epidemic. Guthman, has made it clear that their advice is only hurting the people, not helping them. Their advice is inadequate because their outcomes in the end are different than their patients. One of the biggest points is, “when food is abundant and cheap, people will eat more of it and get fat” (Pollan qtd. In Guthman 129). This quote clearly states how arrogant Pollan is by saying, the obese do not have control over their body. If they just close their mouths all their problems will be solved. This is where Guthman asks how certain people can remain
Pollan starts off the article with “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants” (Pollan par.1). Pollan’s tone and point of view is in the opposite direction of the previous authors mentioned. Pollan advocates eating healthy foods and to avoiding all unhealthy foods;” eat more of the right ones, fewer of the wrong, and you would live longer and avoid chronic disease”.” The whole point of eating is to maintain and promote bodily health” (Pollan par.6). Displayed in, “Un Happy Meals”, Pollan thinks eating right and having the mind power to choose when to eat or not is all you need in order to stay thin but, it is more complex than that. This article displays how different the two author’s tones are towards the obesity