I have been thinking a lot about vegetarianism lately. I am appalled by the way meat is produced in this country. My disgust does not come from that "touchy feely" place that I have despised for so long as a reason for not eating meat, but it comes from a respect for what I put into my body and a belief that the current state of the meat industry is no where close to how things are supposed to work. I ultimately believe that it is ok for humans to kill animals in order to feed ourselves. Maybe it's ignorant, but I don't see a problem with that. I do, however, think it's wrong for humans to modify the natural order of life in order to make meat cheaper or more profitable. I also find the meat industry environmentally careless and don't have a desire to feed my body with a substance that has been so adulterated.
After some reading, I figured out my beliefs (explained above) but couldn't figure out why I hadn't thrown my hat into the vegetarian ring yet. I really enjoy tofu, beans, veggies, soy products, and other vegetarian fair so giving up my occasional burger or grilled chicken would not kill me. I found a passage that really helped me answer this question in The Omnivore's Dilemma. Pollan talks about the experience of eating communally and being a vegetarian. He explains how a chosen dietary restriction can separate an individual from other diners and create awkward situations filled with different guilts and obligations. This explanation makes a lot of sense to me. I want to be able to enjoy communal meals with others; I can eat and cook however I want in my own home, but while dining with others I want to participate in that community fully.
There is an article the The New York Times today that also dwells on the power food can have in social relationships. They discuss romantic relationship, the successes and failures, between people who have different diets. I Love You, but You Love Meat. They allude many times to the connection people feel when sharing a meal together. The problem, however, is that there are many people who don't consciously value food in the same way... or they value foods like Big Mac's and Sonic burritos... and that gets in the way of romantic relationships. The article makes a great point. I could date a vegetarian, a vegan, someone who was kosher, or someone who had a dietary restriction, but I could not date someone who didn't derive enjoyment from the process of cooking and eating, or who didn't respect what they were putting into their body.
Vegetarian or not... I like sharing the enjoyment of food with others. I guess I will have to add this idea to my list of dating deal breakers in the future.
Showing posts with label Omnivore's Dilemma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Omnivore's Dilemma. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
The Omnivore's Dilemma
Know where your food comes from. Trust culture.
I began reading this book because it is on the list of must reads for aspiring food geeks. Throughout the first half of the book, sections that go into fascinating detail about the origins of many common foods in the American system, Michael Pollan neglects to inform the reader that he has a concrete solution to this Dilemma to which the title refers. During the second half, he lets us in on the secret. Food is nutritional and sustaining, but even more so food is spiritual and cultural. It is in our understanding of, connection to, and appreciation of the food chain that we can truly experience the full pleasure of eating. And, it is through our identification with culture, and the community interaction that should follow the act of eating, that we can learn to eat in ways that sustain us and our environment.
While not a main focus of this book, Michael Pollan has spoken critically of "nutritionism." This is how he identifies the current trend of focusing on food and health by analyzing individual nutrients instead of viewing foods and diet in a more holistic manner. After realizing how much he believes food provides humans with a physical and spiritual connection to the rest of the world, this criticism seems very justified. Focusing on the effect Omega 3's have on a person's health and wellbeing might be likened to the effect a person's agreement or disagreement to a single Bible verse has on her relationship with God. Ultimately, Omega 3's and a person's reaction to a scripture may be significant, but neither tell a story that could be described as anything other than limited. Spirituality can only be evaluated by examining a variety of different perspectives just as many things need to be considered when thinking about the diet's relationship to health and well-being.
I am glad to have read something that is critical of the importance of individual nutrients. I am also very excited to incorporate the idea's Pollan has about culture and spirituality into further reading about food and nutrition. Additionally, Pollan's description of the food industry makes me very curious to explore the contradictory motives of capitalism and providing America with a healthy diet.
I began reading this book because it is on the list of must reads for aspiring food geeks. Throughout the first half of the book, sections that go into fascinating detail about the origins of many common foods in the American system, Michael Pollan neglects to inform the reader that he has a concrete solution to this Dilemma to which the title refers. During the second half, he lets us in on the secret. Food is nutritional and sustaining, but even more so food is spiritual and cultural. It is in our understanding of, connection to, and appreciation of the food chain that we can truly experience the full pleasure of eating. And, it is through our identification with culture, and the community interaction that should follow the act of eating, that we can learn to eat in ways that sustain us and our environment.
While not a main focus of this book, Michael Pollan has spoken critically of "nutritionism." This is how he identifies the current trend of focusing on food and health by analyzing individual nutrients instead of viewing foods and diet in a more holistic manner. After realizing how much he believes food provides humans with a physical and spiritual connection to the rest of the world, this criticism seems very justified. Focusing on the effect Omega 3's have on a person's health and wellbeing might be likened to the effect a person's agreement or disagreement to a single Bible verse has on her relationship with God. Ultimately, Omega 3's and a person's reaction to a scripture may be significant, but neither tell a story that could be described as anything other than limited. Spirituality can only be evaluated by examining a variety of different perspectives just as many things need to be considered when thinking about the diet's relationship to health and well-being.
I am glad to have read something that is critical of the importance of individual nutrients. I am also very excited to incorporate the idea's Pollan has about culture and spirituality into further reading about food and nutrition. Additionally, Pollan's description of the food industry makes me very curious to explore the contradictory motives of capitalism and providing America with a healthy diet.
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