I finally read The Omnivore’s Dilemma: The Secrets Behind What You Eat, by Michael Pollan. And I say “finally” because this book and I have a bit of a history.
I read a couple of other books by the same author over a year ago, and found them to be very eye-opening and somewhat life-changing. While I felt that I ate in a fairly healthy way before, those books truly altered the way I think about the food I eat. I checked out this book as the next one I wanted to read, but found it incredibly dense. I read a lot, I mean A LOT, but I just could not get through this book. Eventually it was due back at the library, and I returned it unread.
As I started down this sugar-elimination path, I thought about this book again and thought I would give it another shot. I reserved it at the library, but when I went to pick it up I realized I had actually selected the “young readers edition,” essentially the version edited for young adults (teenagers). Before I put it back, I flipped through to find that it was not too junior-level, and maybe it would be a little easier to read than the original. So I took it home. And it was great!
Essentially the author follows the path of four meals: an industrially-produced meal, an industrial-organic meal, a locally grown sustainable meal, and a meal where he hunted or gathered every item. While following the paths of these four meals, he uncovers how food is really produced in each of these sectors of the food chain. Granted, he is clearly not a fan of the industrial food system–but I felt that he really focused on how food ends up on our table, rather than saying what you must and must not do or eat.
What I liked the most about this book is just how much it has made me think about where the food I’m eating comes from, and whether there are other options. Everyone has to make choices and compromises, that’s the reality of our modern life. I’m not going to grow, hunt or make every single thing I eat. But a few specific choices can go a long way in cleaning up my personal food chain.
sweeter without 