In What Ways Has Human Nature Shaped How We Consume Food?
The food people consume represents who they are and impacts the environment around them, hence the need to pick food that enhances health and the environs. It takes a lot of activities before the food we consume reaches the plate. It is more so because of the dynamics of human life. The demand for healthy eating continues to rise, which necessitates the consumption of particular types of food. The paper delves into the issues of advanced technology, increased population/ demand for food and the lifestyle of people as the aspects of human nature that determine the food consumed.
Advancements in technology have made extensive and sophisticated farming possible hence the increased food production. In his work, The Omnivore’s Dilemma Summary, Michael Pollan identifies the use of high technology such as spraying of pesticides and other methods as the key elements leading to the high production of corn. He also identifies the highly demanding manufacturers who are guided by profits to produce industrial and organic foods to meet the market demands. These developments allow for the packaging of more foods than required as an incentive to attract more buyers. As such, people will often prefer a higher quantity at lower prices. To this end, it becomes apparent that the market forces created by human activities often dictate the food we consume.
The world population is on a constant increase, which reflects a heightened demand for more food. Urbanization and other elements have pulled more people to the urban centers leading to population surge and congestion. As the population increases, the demand for increased food supply also rises, which has led to mass production. As Pollan notes, big corporations have resulted in industrial-scale food production to meet the increased demand. Consequently, the increased production impairs the environment, especially with beef production. These cows release a lot of toxic gases in the atmosphere besides the use of pesticides. Therefore, as the population increases, more toxic ways of producing food faster will be unveiled.
The lifestyle of the people will determine the food they consume significantly. For instance, Foster Wallace, in his work Consider the Lobster, he uncovers the lifestyle of revellers who converge to eat lobsters at the Maine Lobster Festival. He reports that up to 25,000 pounds of fresh-caught lobsters are eaten annually during the event. Pollan, on the other hand, finds out that city people will consume industrial foods because of the high quantity sold at lower prices. He also found out that gathers will depend on hunting their food directly from the wild. To this end, it becomes apparent that the people’s lifestyles will often dictate the food they consume.
Concluding, the issue of eating healthy remains at the center of food consumption and production. On the other hand, manufacturers are driven by profits and will often offer a greater quantity at lower prices without focusing on the quality provided. The people will regularly consume any meal that they can easily afford or that which comes their way quickly.