In chapters 5 and 6 of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Pollan exposes some of the tactics used by corporations in the food industry. Corporations manipulate us into buying into their systems. They manufacture the crops available (mostly corn) into irresistible delights. And it turns out we innocently love this. Humans are wired to crave and go crazy for fat and sugar, as well as overindulge in food when we are presented with large portions. This is because when food is scarce, it is necessary to stock fat in our bodies for fuel when food is unavailable. The corporations know this, and we accept it whether we know it or not. And when offered these items for cheap, we can’t help but satisfy our cravings.
In chapter 5, Pollan compares the situation in 1820 and to our dilemma today. In 1820, corn whiskey was available and cheap, and due to the natural human desire for intoxication, people couldn’t help but overindulge frequently. Nowadays, sweets and fats are overabundant and inexpensive, so we all eat these treats readily, in the same way we used to consume alcohol. And while we are continually warned of our overconsumption and the dangers of obesity, the government continues to subsidize corn, the leading provider of our cheap, abundant calories in the form of high fructose corn syrup and countless other additives.
While it is an extremely smart business technique to push our evolutionary buttons, I can’t help but feel somewhat used and abused. Human bodies are not evolved for the types of food we provide for ourselves today. I think it is safe to declare that it would be impossible to find anything in nature that is as sweet as candy. It is fairly strange if you step back and think about what we are giving ourselves. We have endless calories at hand, and it doesn’t take but a phone call to get those calories in our hands (thanks to the luxury of delivery). But should we really be giving ourselves these treats? I have never been one to believe in dieting, maybe some people have the power, but I have strong instincts and they tell me to eat that sugar and fat, and love it too. Yes, we are all subject to manipulation from these corporations, and we will continue to willingly comply. Not only that, but we will appreciate when these corporations provide us with just a little extra of these endless calories, feeling great as we snag a deal, when, in fact, we are again being used, this time to consume the extra calories on the market.
Clearly there is a change in the food we intake from our early ancestors, but would it be healthy to eat as they did?
Do you think if someone had never eaten anything as sweet as candy, they would never crave that ultimate level of sweetness?
Should we fight this manipulation, or do we just go with it and eat everything in moderation as is now recommended?
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