Book review: The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan

Posted In: Me October 18th, 2013 divider No Comments »

I picked up this audiobook on the shelf on my beloved library a few weeks back as a “maybe if I had time” title. I’m glad I made time for this one.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Such a great look at our complex food chains and especially how they have changed over the last 30 years. It really makes you think…

The book basically asks “what’s for dinner?” and looks at four meals over the years. It looks at the food industry including the industrial food chain, organic food, fast food, and finally the slow food phenomenon, a meal we forage ourselves.

I like how the author talks about the compromises society has done with respect to price, variety and convenience. Did you know more people around the world are overfed (obese) than underfed (famine) these days?

I especially like the behind-the-scenes looks at the organic movement, how to gather your own dinner (including killing a wild pig) and how corn has infiltrated every part of the industrial food chain.

It’s a bit raw in certain parts if you don’t have a strong stomach. He gives you first person accounts from all the visits and research he’s done for the book. I can see why some people go vegetarian and vegan now…

At the end of the day, he makes you take a quick step back and asks yourself how you feel about your meal. Do you know where it came from? Do you know what’s actually in it? If you’re like me, it might make you a bit uncomfortable but that’s not always a bad thing…

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And I’m looking forward to heading back to the Ottawa Valley this weekend. Always fun to hang out with VC Athletic and their people!

There are still a few spots to get in on the fun and enjoy running pain-free. All the details are here.