The Choice is Yours

This is part 11 of my research on global food movements entitled
GLOBALIZATION: It's what's for dinner

THE CHOICE IS YOURS: You Are What You Eat


Bringing ethics to consciousness for action is the premise of George Eisman's book, The Most Noble Diet. [59] Eisman identifies six levels of progressively deeper conscious concerns that determine diet selection. The levels, reflected in the food movements presented, are:

1. Hedonism = Eating what you enjoy.
2. Personal health = Eating what you believe is "good" for you.
3. Environment = Eating what the Earth provides without undue disturbance to ecosystems.
4. Politics = Eating (or not eating) as a statement against oppressive actions or policies.
5. Non violence = Eating only what can be obtained without intentional injury or cruelty.
6. Humanity = Eating only what is your "fair share" in this global human community; not demanding extravagances that deprive others of their basic requirements of life.

As one's ethics deepen, one's judgment is deepened so that one's actions move from self-centered to other-centered, from a fast food life of convenience to One Planet Living. Like the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy, “In every deliberation we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” [60] Upon this the GLAD food movements stand.

As consumers, we have choices. But it will be a shift of our ethics, our values and beliefs about what is "right and wrong," "good and bad," "acceptable and not" that will determine the choices we make and the standard of living we maintain.

"If everyone in the world lived like an average North American, we'd need 5 planets to live on."

In all the books cited in this paper, each author ends with an exhortation to action. Whether it's minimizing your eco-footprint, exercising "buycott" power as you vote with your dollar, choosing organic and local foods, eating meat less, or abstaining from all animal products all together, the bottom line is: the choice is yours.

"Each individual can make a difference in creating a greener world. Every meal choice can move us one step closer to a more sustainable agriculture, and ultimately, healthier lives." [61]

The question is: What are YOU having for dinner?

Final post: CONCLUSION

[59] George Eisman, The Most Noble Diet: Food Selection and Ethics (Burdett, NY: Diet Ethics, 1994), 4.
[60] Fox, 12.
[61] Ibid., 127.