“Organic” and “natural foods” are a part of a trend that is growing quickly, but how much do we consumers really know about the difference between natural food and non-organic foods? Food that is considered organic can be defined as being produced without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents. Processed foods are defined as foods that are packaged in bags, boxes or cans. Authors like Pollan and Foer, in their essays “Escape from the Western Diet” and “Against Meat” respectively, argue that organic food and a vegetarian diet are better for humans and the environment. Contrastingly, others like Shapin, author of “What Are You Buying When You Buy Organic” believe that we are too fixated on whether or not to buy …show more content…
Foods that are produced organically are better for the environment, healthier for your body because they do not contain toxic chemicals, and are more cost efficient than commonly known. Chemical farming has become such a cultural norm that humans have turned a blind eye to what is really happening behind the scenes and have come to accept what the big manufacturing companies have told us. What these companies don’t want us to know is that when you produce food on a conventional farm you are producing food that is harmful to the environment. Conventional farms use fossil fuel derivative fertilizers to help add nutrients to the soil, but “these are the reason the earth is experiencing dangerous climate changes” (Sustainable Table). Also, the quality and consistency in the crops are lowered when they are planted on a chemical farm because many companies use artificial manure that leads to “artificial nutrition, artificial food, artificial animals and finally artificial …show more content…
He believes we need to find a common ground between the way our ancestors ate, hunting and gathering, and the way we currently eat, primarily processed foods. Pollan’s solution to this problem is to “simply avoid any food that has been processed to such an extent that it is more the product of industry than of nature” because of the damage the food is doing to our body (Pollan, 424). Since we consume the Western Diet we are “more prone to a complex of chronic diseases that seldom strike people eating more traditional diets” (Pollan, 421). When eating organic foods, you can almost eliminate GMO’s, pesticides, and herbicides from your body while also reducing your risk of contracting cancer as well as having neurological and reproductive problems (Sustainable Table). Also, organic foods contain essential vitamins and antioxidants that help your immune system fight off diseases (Sustainable Table). Buying organic food also means you are buying higher quality products that have ingredients that are better for your
Michael Pollan and David Freedman are two reputable authors who have written about different types of food and why they are healthy or why they are damaging to our health. Michael Pollan wrote “Escape from the Western Diet” and David Freedman wrote “How Junk Food Can End Obesity”. Imagine Pollan’s idea of a perfect world. Everything is organic. McDonald’s is serving spinach smoothies and Walmart is supplying consumers with raw milk. The vast majority of food in this world consists of plants grown locally, because almost everyone is a farmer in order to keep up with supply and demand. How much does all this cost? What happened to all the food that is loved just because it tastes good?
5. Milmo, Cahal. "Organic Farming 'no Better for the Environment' - Green Living, Environment - The Independent." The Independent. 19 Feb. 2007. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. .
It is entitled “Escape from the Western Diet”. In this piece of Pollan’s writing, he talks about the western diet in a broad sense. He highlights the do’s and don’t for this particular type of diet. He stated that it is “high in saturated fats, red meats, ‘empty’ carbohydrates(junk food) and low in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seafood and poultry”. (Escape from the Western Diet). This article still ties in greatly with Pollan’s original train of thought regarding the proper way to diet. He highly recommends to stick with vegetables and fruits and of course whole grain foods which are highest in fiber. To review, when Pollan said “Eat Food”, this simply means to separate the real food from the food-like products. “Not too much” switches to how we eat, our manners habits and the culture of how we eat our food. When Michael Pollan said “Mostly Plants”, this includes more than just fruits and vegetables. (Escape from the Western
Pollan’s claims about approaching this topic from a consumer’s point of view seems unlikely by the first two sections of his book. Clearly, Pollan did become at least somewhat biased through the first part of his novel. The first section of the novel is heavily focused on logos, and Pollan delivers this beyond successfully. However, Pollan goes on to talk about how difficult it is to learn where our food comes from and how it’s made. Pollan takes it upon himself to investigate our food sources, through this Pollan delivers his agenda so incredibly well, that he makes it seem as easy as cake. He makes the effort to volunteer on different farms, from George Naylor, whom explained the farming conflict that is unknowingly happening in America, “Farmers facing lower prices have only one option if they want to be able to maintain their standard of living, pay their bills, and service their debt, and that is to produce more” (53). Pollan later in the book works on Joel Salatin’s farm, which is on the opposite side of the spectrum when it comes to farming. Salatin believes in fresh air, and sunshine and healthy eating for his animals. “When chickens get to live like chickens, they taste like chickens too” (271). He even purchases a steer that is raised on a CAFO
In today’s society, the puzzling question of how to help our environment and better our health comes with challenging answers filled with ethical questions and contradicting advice. In The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, by Michael Pollan, Pollan uncovers the truths of the real meaning of words like nutritious, healthy and organic. The entire book leads back to one simple truth, eating is an act full of ethical issues. Pollan tries to make the public aware of how reliant they are on particular types of food, solely based on its easy accessibility, cheap cost, and quick consumption; despite our knowledge of what is actually in this food or where it came from. He writes on the idea that cheap means of producing foods have
"Preface to 'Are Organic Foods a Positive Trend?'." Food. Ed. Jan Grover. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Current Controversies. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 9 Apr. 2011.
Organic has long since been a highly accredited term for food. To be organic is to be pure, natural, and above the dirty industrial system that food production has become. This definition however has become tainted. The truth is that organic foods are anything but healthier. In Michael Pollan’s research book The Omnivore’s Dilemma the validity of organic foods are discredited. Pollan argues about organic food, as it is misleading consumers.
With the world’s population continuing to increase, the demand for food is higher than ever. This increase in food demand also calls for more efficient ways of growing and providing the food. Two methods that are very controversial are the organic and conventional method. While many people support the organic method because of its known benefits, others feel that it is an over inflated industry that cheats consumers out of their money. But recently many studies have disproved those critics. These studies prove that Organic food is a better choice than conventional because it is better for the environment, avoids the use of chemicals, and is generally more beneficial.
Even though conventionally grown foods are cheaper it is worthwhile to invest into buying organic foods because they are healthier. It has been proven that many organic foods dramatically reduce pesticide levels, lower cholesterol, and create a healthy environment. In addition, feeding the livestock with natural foods is more humane and allows the animals to avoid constant antibiotic injections. Organic foods are not only safer for our immune system but also better for the environment.
Yiridoe, E., Bonti-Ankomah, S., & Martin, R. (2005). Comparison of consumer perceptions and preference toward organic versus conventionally produced foods: A review and update of the literature. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 20(4), 193-205. Retrieved from http://journals.cambridge.org.er.lib.k-state.edu/action/displayFulltext?type=6&fid=692720&jid=RAF&volumeId=20&issueId=04&aid=692716&bodyId=&membershipNumber=&societyETOCSession=&fulltextType=RA&fileId=S1742170505000220
The meaning of organic food varies when there are different kinds of organic foods and terms to explain all
It's Easy Being Green: Organic vs. Conventional Foods-The Gloves Come Off. (n.d.). name. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/09/organic_green.html
“Some people live to eat, others eat to live,” as rightly said by an anonymous author. Food is a source of life, we need to consume food everyday to survive and having nutritious food is essential to have a healthy living. Food that we consume today is an outcome of industrial farming which uses lot of chemical and pesticides to grow plant and use hormones and antibodies in animal and also to store food for longer period. So in this we have a question, what options do we have, this could be simple by consuming organic food, naturally grown vegetables and animal sources and sustainable growing methods. When we talk about organic food, we might not know much about it but we know it is good for our health and might consider it to consume everyday if readily available. So what is organic food? According to Allen, Gary J. & Albala, ed. (2007). Organic foods are produced using methods of organic farming, with limited modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, though organic pesticides, such as Bt toxin, are still used. Organic foods are also not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical additives. Thus organic food is comparatively nutritious, use less pestisides and is sustainable and less harmful to the environment
Organic food is food that is grown without any pesticide or fertilizers. In recent years, sales for organic foods are increasing every year. A lot of people go to supermarkets in order to buy some organic foods, because they think that organic foods are healthier than conventional foods. People purchase organic foods for different reasons such as personal health, the quality of organic foods, and taste, but the most important reason is personal health. The topic that whether organic foods have more benefits or not is very controversial for a long time. Maybe some people believe that organic foods are beneficial to human health, but some other people disagree with the viewpoint, so buying organic foods depend on people’s choices. People believe organic foods are healthier because they generally think organic foods have less pesticide and fertilizer residue, more nutritional values, and are beneficial to environment.
Life truly is precious. The majority of people around the globe hope to live a happy and healthy life. Reaching these goals is what most people spend their entire life trying to achieve. There are basic needs that every person has: shelter, clothing, water, and food. In the past when individuals were able to provide for themselves and their families they were able to be content. In the present day however, there is an increasing concern about what type of food is best. Another question is, what type of food should one provide for their family? There are pros and cons to almost every situation. Eating organic food leads to a healthier lifestyle. More and more people are drawing the conclusion that eating organic food leads to a healthier lifestyle.