The omnivore's dilemma : a natural history of four meals

"'What am I eating? And where in the world did it come from?' Not very long ago an eater didn't need a journalist to answer these questions. The fact that today one so often does suggests a pretty good start on a working definition of industrial food: Any food whose provenance is so complex or obscure that it requires expert help to ascertain." (pg. 17)

Michael Pollan will have you asking those same questions. Pollan is an investigative journalist with several book credits under his belt. Not all of them are about food but he does explore the theme further and with good reason. One of the things that has changed significantly in our world and within our collective memory is what and how we eat.

By and large, we are a trusting population. We assume that, barring any recalls, if it's on the grocery store shelf, it must be safe to eat. We can't pronounce half the items on the ingredients list but they're in everything so it's no big deal. Besides, we're constantly bombarded with conflicting health information so it's easier to just ignore it all.

In bite-sized pieces (I had to work that in), Pollan takes the reader through his experiences in looking deeper into four representative meals - ranging from MacDonald's drive-through dining to gathered from the wild. Although the facts are clearly stated, this is not a heavily analytical book. It is more a looking-over-the-shoulder-of-the-author/adventurer read. Pollan is a story teller whose mission is to pass along what he's learned.

Now he may not tell you what you should or shouldn't be eating, but he will make you think about it. If you read and like this one, you may also want to try The botany of desire : a plant's-eye view of the world, (2001) or In defense of food(2008).

The omnivore's dilemma : a natural history of four meals by Michael Pollan. Published in 2007 by Penguin. ISBN: 978-0143038580