Health problems are flooding America. Why? It is the unhealthy, toxic food that we are consuming every day, everywhere. To change America’s path on health and food, we have to fix how we eat and know where our food come from. In the novel, The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan, the reality of our food is dived into. Pollan takes us on a journey where he explores the four food chains. Those four food chains that control America’s food consist of, Industrial, Industrial organic, Local sustainable and Hunter-gatherer. Industrial is what you find in most supermarkets the “cheap”, and full of additives, preservatives, and antibiotic food.
Additionally, there is Industrial organic. This food chain is a bit healthier than it’s partner Industrial, as well as more expensive. Even though the food may be healthier it is still equally as dangerous to the environment as the Industrial food chain. On the other hand, there is the hunter-gatherer, this is the most natural and healthiest way to eat but the downside is how it is the hardest to attain of all four food chains, there is a limited supply, and it is not the most practical way of feed the entire population of United States.
Taking all of the pros and cons of all the food chains into consideration, local sustainable is the most realistic and one of the most beneficial to your health. It is ecological, local, and fresh, there are no chemicals, pesticides, preservatives or artificial flavors that are added to the food. It is also clean for the environment as well as for humans and animals. Diabetes in adolescence and adults have raised over the years and the average American’s life span is decreasing because of the food we consume are filled with additives, pesticides, and chemicals.
However, by changing America’s diet to local sustainable will improve our personal and public health. The text states, “Organic food has the potential to decrease obesity and diabetes (Organic Center, 2009). Eating organic food promotes healthy patterns of cell division, creating a healthy endocrine system, immune system, and other metabolic developments (Organic Center, 2009). ” (Gauker, College) Thus proves how eating local sustainable can help and improve the human body as well as decrease the risk of health problems such as obesity.
In addition, the text also states, “Because many sustainably grown produce and sustainably raised animals are exposed to fewer chemicals – like pesticides and antibiotics – your body is exposed to fewer chemicals as well. This can help reduce your exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria or potential illnesses and health problems caused by pesticides. ” (Sustainable eating can benefit the planet and your health) This depicts that consuming locally grown food that contains few pesticides will help the human body fight off any health problems or diseases caused by pesticides because you aren’t being exposed to it.
According to the article, it states, “Grass-fed cattle produce meat lower in fat than industrially raised beef. Grass fed beef has higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids (Harvie, J. , 2008)… This proves that grass fed beef can benefit the cardiovascular system, enhance brain function, and may help prevent cancer (Harvie, J. , 2008). ” (Gauker, College) This illustrates that local beef that was fed grass is healthier and has many health benefits compared to industrial processed meat that is fatty and probably leads to health problem rather than solving them.
If American’s all ate local sustainable rather than Industrial food that will make us sick, then health problems wouldn’t be a recurring thing that an American has to experience. As shown above, local sustainable is superior to other food chains when it comes to public and personal health. Local sustainable is also the best food chain that supports small business, and jobs by providing fresh, locally grown food to the community. Additionally, it informs consumers knowledge in what is in their food and where it comes from, unlike Industrial where the contents in our food is an unsolved mystery.
One example in the text is, “Sustainable farms support local economies by providing jobs for members of the community and purchasing supplies from local businesses. ” (Food Economics) This demonstrates how when buying local sustainable you give people jobs (they become farmers) as well as having more local food means more local small businesses. Furthermore, the article states, “Food hubs can expand the market reach of small, local farmers, help create local jobs, and can expand access to fresh, local food in urban and suburban markets. (Local and Regional Food system)
One can see from this is that eating and purchasing local sustainable expands the community by supporting small farms, farmers, and give others the opportunity to buy chemical free food as well. Lastly, the text states,” First, local food networks like community gardens, food co-ops, Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA), farmers’ markets, and seed savers groups keep money in the community… organic farming represents a profitable alternative for local economic growth and sustainable agriculture since organic farmers tend to sell to local markets (within 150 miles). (Bofilglia)
This reveals how the money that is used to purchase the local food stays in the community and benefits the farmers. Additionally, it lets people know what is in their food and where it comes from as well as the consumer can really understand and appreciate the fresh food. Moreover, locally grown food is the ideal food chain that is healthy and contributes the economy and the consumers. All four food chain has an effect on our environment. Local sustainable is the most practical as well as the humane way of treating the environment. The text states, “The Local Sustainable Food Chain helps better the environment.
It stops the use of so much fossil fuel. The food chain also uses solar energy instead of the fossil fuel. Less GMO’s, fertilizers and pesticides are used in the Local Sustainable Food Chain. ” (Young) Thus proves that local sustainable uses less fossil fuel and instead use the sun as a source of energy. So it helps the environment by using renewable energy and doesn’t cause pollution rather than destroying like the industrial food chains. In addition, the author states, “Almost everything the farm uses is grown on the farm. Almost all of the energy uses to make the food comes from the sun.
There are no pesticides, no artificial fertilizers, no pollution, and no extra waste. Everything is recycled. ” (Pollan) This proves how local sustainable farms recycle and nothing goes to waste. The food is 100% natural and locally grown all with sun power. Moreover, the text states, “Sustainable agriculture involves food production methods that are healthy – including reduction of pesticide use – balances demand based on local needs, involves less environmentally harmful equipment and practices, and most importantly, reduces impacts on the environment by decreasing transportation needs. (What does buying local food do for the environment? )
This depicts how sustainable food is created with very little chemicals (ex: pesticides), that local food doesn’t travel far so less fossil fuel is used and it does almost no harm to the environment because of the methods used for farming. Stated ustainable has the most positive effect on the environment. On the other hand, some may say that industrial food or industrial organic is a better choice to feed the American population. This makes sense because it is much more assessable to people, it’s cheaper and its quick for our busy daily lives.
Or that hunter-gatherer is the ideal food chain because it’s the purest and most natural food as well as it is the most beneficial to your health. However, these three food chains fall short on providing what American’s need. Industrial food is unhealthy, and antibiotics, pesticides, artificial fertilizers are crammed into the food. Additionally, the cost is not cheap, it may seem like this but in reality, most of the cost comes from government findings and the cost of pollution and destroying the earth is not included in the cost of industrial food.
Furthermore, Industrial organic may be healthier than industrial food because it contains no synthetic chemicals but it still is harmful to the environment (cause pollution, etc. ) and is more expensive. Lastly, hunter-gatherer may be the healthiest and cleanest it still has many downsides. Such as that there is a limited supply of wild food, not everyone has time to hunt or gather, and it won’t be assessable to everyone in the United States. Therefore, local sustainable is the best choice to feed America because it’s healthy, fresh, profitable, chemical free, and environment-friendly.
Given these points, local sustainable is the best food chain to feed America. This is because locally sourced food reduces your risk of health problems such as diabetes, promote personal and public health. In addition, has outstanding effects on the environment by creating new robust soil, help inform consumers what is in their food and where it comes from, and it helps the community’s economy by aiding small businesses as well as creating new jobs as farmers. Americans have to go back to the basic rather than highly processed food, the way we eat and view food has to change to improve our lives.
Eating and purchasing local sustainable is how we should start to improve and promote healthy lifestyles, as well as the earth and economy. We as a community shouldn’t be eating food containing pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones, it is a fact that industrial food is the main root of health problems, and pollution. So to improve lives of all Americans we have to change our unhealthy, industrial diets to local sustainable to see a better future, and we start with what we eat.
