I Suck At Food, Inc.

Karen's latest movie in her Netflix queue arrived today. That movie: Food, Inc. which is fitting for Karen who is a dietitian. Too bad I suck at Food, Inc.

(The following video is from Food, Inc.)


For anyone curious, the movie takes a look at the food industry and its detrimental effects on our health and the environment. I enjoyed the movie quite a bit. Unfortunately, I now have a feeling of frustration and contempt for the food industry... not that my impression of the food industry was ever favorable to begin with. (For anyone curious, I always believed that our food system was partially responsible for the growing number of diagnosed health issues.)

Needless to say, after watching the movie I felt like becoming a vegetarian... which is ironic seeing as how I had just cooked and ate chicken on the grill for dinner. (Yes, even with the snow outside, I grilled the chicken.) Unfortunately becoming a vegetarian would not help my cause because our vegetables are also affected by the same food industry.

It seems like a no win situation for the average consumer, especially considering the fact that to reform the food industry means taking on large corporations and their political ties with the government. (Ever wonder why junk food is so cheap? The cheap price of junk food is the result of government subsidies for the crap. In essence, the government is paying companies to make you fat.)

Anyway, the movie does offer suggestions on how to change the food industry. The reform, however, would probably require everyone to become more vigilant about the food they consume which is difficult. But if everyone forced the tobacco companies to reform, I don't see why the same thing can't happen in regards to the food industry.

Needless to say, I did enjoy this movie a lot and would recommend it to anyone who is interested. I am now also curious to read Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation and Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma. Hopefully I can remember to add those books to my reading list.