THE OMNIVORE’S DILEMMA 1 The Omnivore’s Dilemma DeVry University THE OMNIVORE’S DILEMMA 2 Upon receiving a required reading assignment in my Advanced Composition class of Michael Pollan’s book the Omnivore’s Dilemma, I thought, great this sounds like a boring read. As I opened the book to read Part 1, Industrial: Corn, I found the author to be very descriptive, almost narrative in his surroundings. I was impressed by his knowledge of the subject of the American staple that we call corn. Pollan went on to describe how corn is in everything that we as humans consume of use in everyday life. Pollan made me think of how much corn that I myself consume, to a point II started looking through my own cupboards to check ingredients.
Book Review on Part I: Industrial: Corn from The Omnivore’s Dilemma There are a lot of issues in this world of ours, and eating and eating disorders is only a fraction of the issues that we need to deal with. Author, Michael Pollan, wrote a book called The Omnivore’s Dilemma which was published in 2006. Part I: Industrial: Corn will be reviewed that includes the first three chapters which are “The Plant: Corn’s Conquer”, “The Farm”, and “The Elevator”. Throughout the sections of Part I, Pollan had successfully done the following common expectations which are that he is very detailed to bring the readers to where he was, readers learn about corn and its history, and he keeps the readers’ attention. Being able to visualize what Pollan is saying to the point that the readers are there and/or make them feel what he was feeling, it makes the reading more interesting.
“Calories are calories…protein is protein,” as stated by Michael Pollen in his book, The Omnivores Dilemma, when discussing the industrial logic many factory farms associate with feeding cattle corn and rendered cow parts (Pollen, 2006, p.75). This is true at a molecular level; however, there are unwanted substances in corn fed beef. For example, there is an increased amount of saturated fat. “A growing body of research suggests that many of the health problems associated with eating beef are really problems with corn-fed beef” (Pollen p. 75). Adding in additional substances to the cows corn diet, such as remnant cow parts, has led to e-coli out breaks in humans and continued to spread mad cow disease.
Even though popular demand for corn is dated back to the Mayan era, Pollan answers this question when he states, “A great many of the health and environmental problems created by our food system owe to our oversimplify nature’s complexities, at both the growing and eating ends of our food chain” (6). Through scientific studies we have found ways in which we can manipulate corn into becoming a byproduct or base for practically anything. This then means that when its molecules are broken down, additives are created, such as fructose corn syrup, and it is then infused into food, and drinks. This is what he means by the eating end of the spectrum. As for the growing end of the spectrum, Pollan then goes on to say that “It (corn) had to adapt itself not just to humans but to their machines” (30).
Kiara Edwards 8/1/2010 Human Nutrition Test Essay 2 Does anyone really know what we are eating? After viewing the documentary Food Inc I have a totally different outlook on the food that many of us consume every day. My daughter, Kiryana my niece, Samya and nephew Xavier watched the video with me they had so many questions ranging from what are they doing to the chickens, why are they hurting the baby chicks, to comments such as auntie I don’t think I want to eat chicken anymore. The Food Inc documentary introduced many people to America’s industrialized food system and its effect on our environment, health, economy and workers' rights. These images of smiling farmers, fields of wheat, hens and their chicks, with cows peacefully grazing in fields actually hides the reality of how a handful of multi-national corporations now control the majority of North American food production.This documentary talked about several issues such as Factory Farming and how approximately 10 billion animals
Thirty percent of land bases are growing corn. Because of this excess supply of corn, many modifications have been made to it so that it can be used as an ingredient in almost every food. Corn creates products such as high fructose corn syrup. This creates foods that are harmful and unhealthy to the body. A great alternative to these products is organic or farm grown foods.
The use of fertilizers has become a big phenomenon throughout the world. This affects the fertility of the soil and quality of the crop. Cultivating corps like corn is a huge part of farming and our daily lives. “I believe that losing the ability and desire to grow corn sustainedly threatens our cultural identity and political and economic survival.”(Mt.Pleasant- Page 130) The audience that the author is trying to address is people who are interested in educating young Native Americans of the historical background; authors of the field of Native American studies, people interested in agronomists, educated farmers or farmers children. People who are more aware of this subject matter are the ones who would be interested to read this article.
This article is used to inform farmers about what could be clogging up their combines during harvest season. Anderson states that the combination of the delayed harvest season, the oncoming frost, and the heat of the combine (once warmed up), will produce a mist which will combine with corn dust to produce a sludge in which clogs the heads of the combine. Providing cautious and informative information this article also divulges ideas on how to produce sustainable agriculture. Bradley Deason, a computers and information technology major, chose the article "The World of Organic Agriculture-statistics and Emerging Trends 2009” written by Helga Willer. This article focuses on the organic side of agriculture, displaying statistics about the amount of organic food produced, the markets in which to sell this organic food, and specific trends in organic crop production.
277 words 10/1/13 Reader Response #2: The Omnivore’s Dilemma, pages 15-119. One of the basic facts of life is that every organism on earth has one goal: To reproduce even if it means it has to die in the process. This chapter discusses corn, its place in religion, the marketplace, its effect on this earth and its complex changing structure in today’s food chain. 2a. Pollan talks about the dominance of corn in today’s marketplace.
If the individual requests a roast deef for dinner, and has a allergy to beef offer chicken instead of beef an explain why this would be more appropriate them. Although I’m not expected to know all the foods which have a direct effect on an individual’s illness, the care plan take these into account and should be followed where possible. I provide advice and information to the individual regarding nutrition and ensure they have well balanced meals/diet. 1.3 Describe ways to resolve any difficulties or dilemmas about the choice of food and drink. If a service user was refusing to have any of the options being offered to them, i would ask them what they would like instead and if had a different requirement to what was on offer id ask the chef to make them what they would prefer eat instead.