Omnivore's Dilemma, Unit 1, Lesson 13

You will read two resources that both comment on marbled beef. Both agree about what it is, yet they give conflicting information about the fat quality of marbled beef. Use these two mediums to answer the questions that follow.

https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2015/03/26/marbling-research-shows-healthy-fat-in-beef-has-benefits/

What is the purpose of the digital text “Marbling Research Shows Healthy Fat in Beef Has Benefits” (Medium 2)? Choose two correct responses.

• to convince the reader to buy and consume more marbled beef

• to describe the studies done on the benefits of marbled beef

• to inform readers that besides the taste benefits, marbled beef has health benefits

• to support the claim that beef marbled with fat is the healthiest beef available

What can you infer about the motive behind the digital text “Marbling Research Shows Healthy Fat in Beef Has Benefits” (Medium 2)?

• The motive behind the text seems to be political. The authors created it to increase support of the beef growers’ association and its policies.

• The motive behind the text seems to be environmental. The authors created it to convince readers that eating marbled beef is better for the environment

• The motive behind the text seems to be social. The authors created the text to highlight a research study that gives information about the fat in marbled beef.

• The motive behind the text seems to be commercial. The authors created the text in order to increase sales of marbled beef.

• The motive behind the text seems to be social. The authors created it to increase the belief that communities will be happier when consumers cook and eat more marbled beef.

What is one way the information in the digital text (Medium 2) agrees with the information presented in the sidebar on page 71 of The Omnivore’s Dilemma (Medium 1)?

• Both the digital text and the sidebar from The Omnivore’s Dilemma describe similar processes for storing, preserving, and cooking marbled beef.

• Both the digital text and the sidebar from The Omnivore’s Dilemma convince the reader to avoid marbled beef because of the dangerous health risks associated with it.

• Both the digital text and the sidebar from The Omnivore’s Dilemma explain that marbled beef is tastier for the consumer because of the veins of fat running through the meat.

• Both the digital text and the sidebar from The Omnivore’s Dilemma discuss the dangers of marbled beef and give details to support their thinking.

What is one way the information in the digital text (Medium 2) conflicts with the information presented in the sidebar on page 71 of The Omnivore’s Dilemma (Medium 1)?

• The digital text explains that the marbling in beef creates a tastier and more flavorful cut of beef, and page 71 of The Omnivore’s Dilemma also talks about taste and flavor benefits associated with marbled beef.

• The digital text claims that marbled beef, like ground beef, contains oleic acid, which is high in saturated fat, yet the sidebar on page 71 of The Omnivore’s Dilemma states that the marbled beef contains less saturated fat than other grades of beef.

• The digital text claims that people should not feel safe eating cuts of marbled beef, yet on page 71 of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Michael Pollan claims that it is healthy for consumers to eat corn-fed beef, which contains marbling.

• The digital text explains that the marbling in beef creates better flavor, and, despite being high in fat, is not detrimental to consumers’ health—yet page 71 of The Omnivore’s Dilemma states that too much saturated fat, like the fat in corn-fed marbled beef, is linked to disease and health problems.

What are two actions consumers might take who are concerned about the different information about marbled meat in these two sources?

• They could check with a government-sponsored Consumer Watchdog group to see if there is any further information on the safety of eating marbled beef.

• They could check the resources each author used and conduct further research on the topic.

• They could eat less marbled beef, since Texas A&M says consuming it is linked to health issues.

• They could choose to avoid all meat, chicken, and poultry, because of their concerns about fat content in beef.