Omnivore’s Dilemma: Introduction and Analysis

The author Michael Pollan’s main points in this fascinating book are that American’s do not know what they are eating, where it came from and some do not really want to know.  Pollan explains that the omnivore’s dilemma is a national eating disorder because human beings are uninformed about their food.  The simple and universal question, “What should we have for dinner?” became complicated and puzzling.  And after new diet books, magazine articles, and scientific facts had emerged in America it became even more complex.  For instance, Americans became carbophobics after reading about the Atkins diet and lipophobics after hearing red meat is not healthy anymore.  These aggressive changes in diet were a sign of a national eating disorder according to the author.  Furthermore, another interesting analogy was a comparison to animals.  Rats have to determine and remember what is poisoned and what is edible.  Humans have senses and memory, but they also have the advantage of a cultural knowledge of what is safe to eat or not so they don’t have to taste it and possibly die to make sure.  As society progressed, more diet options emerged.  Some choices included being vegan, vegetarian, or a carnivore.  Nutritional labels indicated specific choices like nonfat or no trans fat foods.  This book may change the American’s view of food and eating habits by going in depth about where it came from and highlighting many choices.  In addition, it is clear that the author values a healthy food supply and that eating is a pleasure.

My personal analysis after reading the introduction of Omnivores Dilemma is that food has altered and expanded in society socially, politically, emotionally, and physically.  I agree that American’s have an eating disorder because in today’s society, food is everywhere versus the hunter-gatherer generation where there were no choices and eating was centered on survival. Now, at a buffet, portion size has to be controlled in order not to gain weight and at the grocery store, the nutrition label has to be scrutinized in order to meet the needs of the family.  Politically, society has changed because the government now hands out food stamps to those with low incomes.  Emotionally, there are many people in society who have developed eating disorders and eat too much or too little in order to feel better mentally.  Physically, health issues include obesity or food allergies which have also changed how people eat.

1.     What are the three principle food chains? And why are they important?

2.     What are some more issues in society that makes our nation a national eating disorder? 

3.     What are some examples of previous diet books, nutritional articles, or other materials that have harmed people?