Introduction and Chapter 1 Summary and Analysis

The Omnivore's Dilemma, by Michael Pollan, analyzes the eating habits and food chains of modern America in an attempt to bring readers closer to the origin of their foods. Pollan's blend of humor and philosophical questions about the nature of food serveS both to enlighten readers about the environment from which their food is harvested and to teach readers about alternative ways of eating.

In the Introduction, Pollan explains the fundamental theme of the book, that of the omnivore's dilemma. Pollan explains that, while specialized animals, such as the koala, have no issues with eating because their bodies have limited abilities to digest foods, omnivores such as humans who eat all kinds of foods have to decide each day what is good to eat and what is bad. They do this by consulting their memory, taste, smell...