The movie “Forks over Knives” is one that every person must get a chance to see. The title means one thing and that is one must eat right in order to stay healthy. In the beginning of the movie, a quote by ancient doctor Hippocrates was read and shown for everyone to read. The quote was, “Let food be thy medicine” (Hippocrates). A person with no health knowledge might think that this quote is crazy because they live in a society where food is thought to only do the body harm. It is true that food can be one’s body’s worst enemy (Gillette).
However, if you look at the right types of food, it can be the best thing you can do for your body (Gillette). Ever heard of that infamous saying “An apple a day keeps the doctors away! ” Eating healthy foods keeps one away from the doctor as long as they continue to do so. Plant-based diets have consistently been proven to be the most effective in preventing and reversing heart disease (Moller 1998). Eating things that is not good for one’s body excessively has a lot of negative consequences.
Two researchers that have made contributions to the whole food, plant based philosophy are Dr. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn. During Campbell and Esselstyns’ lifetimes the American diet has changed drastically. Many great points stood out to me while watching this documentary-both good and bad. The movie starts off with focusing on what eating processed food does to you.
The message is that if we eat whole, minimally processed food, we will all be healthier. I can’t agree more. Another great point that I loved about what I learned from this documentary is that we have the power to change our health, and even reverse chronic diseases with what we choose to eat.
This is shown at the start of the movie with the reporter getting his blood work done. By the end of the movie, his numbers have significantly improved. A plant-based diet is a conscientious way to eat, to feel better about how your food got to your plate. Knowing how your food is produced is key to making conscientious choices for your health. The part of the documentary that was questionable to me was how much it focused on how bad animal products are for you – while only showing people eating processed and fast food “animal” products.
Where is the fresh seafood? Pastured beef? Free-range eggs? Are we to believe that all animal products come from a fast food joint? Another part of the documentary that made me raise my eyebrows was how they were missing the bacteria in plant products. It makes me just wonder about bean sprouts, cantaloupe food poisoning, lettuce and spinach, almonds and greens onions.
From 1993 to 1997, 2,751 outbreaks, involving 86,058 cases of food poisoning, were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Bacterial pathogens caused 75 percent of the outbreaks in 86 percent of the cases (Moller 1998). With these points being said, I would say that Forks over Knives was inspiring and made me think of the many things I could do to change my diet but I would do everything in moderation. The key point is that I probably would not have a full on vegetable diet, but have equability between plant and animal foods.
However, I was stirred to cut down on animal based foods. Animal-based foods such as chicken and eggs are a great source of protein but I was convinced on how much healthier it could be for me to cut down this consumption because of the risk of cardiovascular disease.
I’ve gotten used to eating eggs every morning because it is a great source of protein but after seeing the science behind it I’ve substituted my breakfast for oatmeal. This documentary was definitely a wake up call for me to add more vegetables into 90% of my meals. With these changes in diet doing I feel better and more energized. I was inspired because I came to the realization that I am young and have the chance to turn my eating habits upside down so that I don’t end up with many diseases when I’m older.
I am at a full advantage because I am healthy and have the energy and resources to lead a healthier lifestyle. This documentary allowed me to change my mindset. In order to keep me going with leading a healthier lifestyle, I must change my way of thinking. I aspire to be healthy when I’m older and what I do now depends on the decisions I make. It’s essential to remind myself that I only have one body and it is up to me to keep it nourished and healthy. My everyday decisions on what I eat result in my health and well being.
A state of physical well—being includes my lifestyle behavior choices to ensure health, avoid preventable diseases and conditions, and to live in a balanced state of body, mind, and spirit.
REFERENCES 1. Journal of Nutrition Education. (1969). Berkeley, Calif: Society for Nutrition Education. 2. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. (1993). Champaign, Ill: Human Kinetics Publishers. 3. Cooper, B. J. , & Deborah, Y. R. (2006). National case management standards in Australia-Purpose, Process and Potential impact. Australian Health Review, 30(1), 12-16. PubMed.