KidLit Forum

In The Omnivore's dilemma, Michael Pollan identifies many problems regarding food in order to warn us and to open our eyes wider. Pollan's analogy: [b]If we are truly what we eat then we are CORN[/b] is based on the fact that corn has become the botanical winner in the agriculture industrialization. He explains why corn, because of its photosynthetic efficiency, high yield, versatility and ease to transport, has become the most preferred cereal for cultivation.The motivation for cultivating the food we eat is unfortunately, not because we need it to be healthy, but rather because it makes economic sense to cultivate. According to Pollan, about 34,000 of the 45,000 items in the average American supermarket contain corn.
Pollan points out that the real dilemma is how we as humans have so many dietary options but so little information about what we should eat and where our food comes from.
In my opinion it is not too late for doing something. We should give more priority to this painful topic, we should talk about this more so people who do not have time enough to read Pollan's book, at least, they will understand that this food problem is not only ours but we are responsible for the next generations, for our families, for our children.
In conclusion, I would give the children's edition of the book to my ten years daughter to read some passages and I'll definitely discuss it at school with my students.

True that corn is part of our alimentation. We need it but it isn't impossible to diminish the quantity of unhealthy food. Corn is a key ingredient in numerous food items like cereal, peanut butter, snack foods and soft drinks. There are more than 4,200 different uses for corn products, and more are being found each day. Antibiotics,Aspirin,Baby food,Bacon,Baked goods,Bakery products,Baking powder,Batteries,Blankets and bedding,Bookbinding,Breadings, coatings and batters,Cake, cookie, dessert mixes,Candies are just a part of the daily products we use. The idea of this book is to change people mentality about food and the way of cooking. We should avoid commercial food and try to consume fruits and vegetables more. Food should be diverse. All the products we are buying should be carefully choosen. I agree with the fact that we are what we eat and how healthier we are depend mostly by what we eat.

“When chickens get to live like chickens, they'll taste like chickens, too.” ― Michael Pollan, The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

In chapter 8 of this amazing book, we can find out more about Joel Salatin's farm. Here Salatin raises cows, hogs and chickens and he also focuses on the relationship between all of these animals and the grass that sustains them at a basic level.

“... the way we eat represents our most profound engagement with the natural world. Daily, our eating turns nature into culture, transforming the body of the world into our bodies and minds.” ― Michael Pollan, The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

In section 3 of the book, called "The Forest", Pollan goes primitive and eats meal consisting entirely of food he caught (hunting and gathering his own food) and foraged himself. He recommends this action for those of us who have lost touch with the source of our sustenance.

Pollan notes that industrial agriculture requires huge amounts of inputs such as fertilizer and even diesel fuel just to move everything around, while at Salatin's farm animals all work together to fertilize the grass with their own excrement and they spread it naturally, so there is a little need for fuel or fertilizer.

Salatin's farm has also a lower level of bacteria. This is possible because after the slaughter, Salatin composts the remains (full circle process).