Industrial Eaters

Why does our country suffer so much from obesity? Michael Pollan points out the obvious factors that have brought about this change - we now lead more sedentary lifestyles, and additionally eat diets that are higher in fats and carbohydrates. Further, clever marketing devices trick omnivores into buying more cheap calories found in processed foods. Pollan explains that the central root of the problem, though, is the excess of cheap corn, which accounts for the majority of surplus calories that we intake. Michael Pollan states that we have become masters at "freeing food from nature's limitations and seducing the omnivore into eating more of a single plant than anyone would ever have thought possible" (91) Our creativity on what to do with the mountains upon mountains of corn has given us a cheap and unhealthy source of calories in our diets. As a result of this, we have evolved into industrial eaters, specializing in the consumption of processed foods.

It's true that all of these factors play a role in the rising obesity in our nation - in fact, one in five people in the United States is obese - but Brian Wansink believes that there is more to the equation. How much we eat doesn't depend only on how hungry we are or how good it tastes, but also on the cues around us - the size of the portion, the name on the label, the presentation, or even the lighting in the room. Unfortunately, it is tough to control, or even realize these outside sources are having such a large effect on our intake, hence, "Mindless Eating."

This first chapter really fascinated me. Often, we are preached to about eating smaller portions, leaner meats, and less saturated fat, but rarely do we consider how distant cues may have such profound effects on us. Thinking about my own eating habits, Wansink is definitely correct in his assertions. Back at home, I would fill my dinner plate and that would be it. At Cornell, on the other hand, where every meal is buffet style, it's really difficult to stop myself there. Instead of filling my plate, I fill my tray, and because there's more, I definitely eat more. I think I might try out eating until I'm no longer hungry rather than eating until I'm full. It's true, there is a big difference. I know it won't bring about instantaneous results, but it will make me healthier in the long run. Knowing that this is true, is it possible for me to commit to skimming a few calories off and being healthier all around? The more important question: Is this possible for America's obese population?