On Sunday night, I sat down on the couch and started searching for something to watch on Netflix. To be perfectly honest with you, I tried to find Sleepless in Seattle so some of you would accept me as your friend again, but they did not have that particular movie in the archives.
What I did find, however, was a documentary I have been meaning to watch for months now – Forks Over Knives. I feel like I have been out of the loops and that many of you have already seen the documentary, but for those of you who haven’t – it is a must see.
The premise behind this documentary is just what the title says – eating food that requires a fork instead of a knife. As I was watching this documentary, it reminded me just why I became a vegetarian in the first place. Forks Over Knives takes a large amount of research on a plant based diet and shares with viewers just why a plant based diet is beneficial for all. While I was watching the documentary, I jotted (okay, typed) down a few points about what I was watching. I am seriously astonished by all of the evidence and research that was presented!
- In 2006, the average American ate 605 pounds of dairy products in a year.
- As the pace of life accelerated in the 1950’s, convenience foods were created to make life easier and “better”. Unfortunately, research has shown this is not the case.
- 1 in 4 five year olds are now overweight
- $2.25 trillion is spent on health care each year, which is more than any other industrialized country – yet, the US is the sickest
- As fast food restaurants became more prevalent, cancer in the US continued to rise
- In the 1970’s, the risk of women in Kenya to get cancer was 82 times lower than in the US.
- The USDA is in charge of deciding what people should eat based on the food/nutrition guidelines that are put out. What the USDA doesn’t tell you is that the government has contracts with meat and dairy organizations which is why we are “told” to eat these products.
- If the US redirected the amount of grain that goes into feeding cattle to feed the hungry, that grain could be used to feed every single hungry person in the world.
- Recently, people in China have begun to eat a more Westernized diet and in return, the prevalence of degenerative diseases in their country is skyrocketing.
- The very popular Engine2 Diet was started when a group of firefighters regained their health after starting a plant based diet.
Obviously those were just some rough notes I found incredibly interesting, but there is so much more information within the documentary that it is a great watch for anyone, vegetarian or not.
Question: Have you seen “Forks Over Knives”? What did you think?
{ 62 comments… read them below or add one }
I saw this movie in the theaters with Lisaboo, and it was sooo good. It’s so inspiring and makes you want to eat even healthier than you already are; it’s like a cheerleading squad for eating yummy and healthy food, and looking HAWT
I haven’t watched it yet, but it’s in my Netflix queue! I definitely think the American diet is incredibly unhealthy and that animal products should be limited, but I think they are fine in moderation, especially if raised sustainably and locally! I do agree though about the meat industry having a bad impact on our health and environment… Not a fan.
I was wondering while I was watching the documentary if they followed anyone who took out processed foods and replaced the with whole foods but still ate meat/dairy. Even though I’m a vegetarian, I think it was kind of one sided.
I feel like most documentaries tend to be one sided, but I guess they want to get their point across. I think I’ll have to watch this over the weekend! I’m really interested in seeing everything they have to say!
Eeek! I haven’t seen this (I’m a sucker for just watching romantic comedies- you better find that Sleepless in Seattle soon).
Those stats are crazy though. Yikes. What a great way to share the benefits of a plant based diet. I need to watch it now so I can tweak my diet a bit. 
I just noticed this on Netflix and plan to watch it soon!
I still need to see it! I reaaallly want to
I also heard that the title of the documentary comes from our need to use food as prevention (forks!) instead of relying on medicine/surgery (knives) to treat health issues. Cool!
I think I remember them saying something about that!
This doesn’t make much sense to me. It’s saying how much more obesity has become a problem in recent years. I think this is because of processed food and a more sedentary lifestyle, but I fail to see what that has to do with vegetarianism. 100 years ago people ate MORE meat and yet obesity wasn’t as much of a problem.
I actually found myself wondering when I was watching the documentary if they took statistics on people who ate an unprocessed/organic diet that included meat as well. I agree it was pretty one sided, and I think it has a lot to do with the way food is made and the hormones/antibiotics/chemicals that are found in them now that is causing this to happen, not just because they’re eating meat per se.
i think people actually eat a lot more meat now than they did historically. people eat a lot more of everything now than they did historically, because portion sizes have increased tremendously. this article is dated but i found it interesting: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447051/
Very interesting article, and I have to agree - we do eat more now than ever before. I am quite a volume eater so I don’t know if I can say I eat small portions, but at least they are veggie filled!
I was at a local food fair and won a Forks over Knives tshirt…was just wearing it over the weekend. But I haven’t seen the movie. Also havent seen Food Inc, Supersize Me, or any of the really popular food documentaries…but I want to.
Thanks for the Cliff’s Notes on this one. Gotta love that good old Food Pyramid, right?
I’ve seen both of the other ones you mentioned and both are really good! I may even have convinced the Husband he needs to watch one with me.
I actually became a pescatarian (I live by the ocean, fresh seafood everywhere!) when I was working for the USDA back in DC. Such an interesting place to work! I tend to take any sort of book, movie, article, organization, etc. with a specific agenda with a grain of salt. I think being generally well-informed and making the best decisions for your personal well-being and budget are the key to being healthy. In the “olden days” people ate whatever was available and in season - meat or plant - so it is my personal theory that obesity is more of a heavily processed diet and lifestyle related problem. My body does best with mostly plants, limited dairy, and a little fish here and there… exercise wise I respond best to running. We’re all unique! (longest comment ever btw - and I edited it down ha. sorry!)
haha - great comment! I find it so interesting you worked for the USDA. I would love to pick your brain about it!
I still haven’t watched this! Thanks for the Cliff Notes, I’ll ahve to watch it soon!
i have not seen forks over knives, but those statistics are staggering. i have absolutely no doubts that there are health benefits to a plant based diet. there are certainly moral and financial reasons as well to reduce meat consumption. to me it seems ignorant to blame health problems in the united states on meat consumption alone, though, which is sometimes done, in my opinion, through documentaries and other creative outlets. like i said, i have not seen forks over knives, so i can’t speak to that specifically.
for me personally, a plant based diet with moderate meat consumption (sourced from local and sustainable farms) works best. i do eat and drink dairy as well, but am trying to reduce that. i would definitely be interested in watching forks over knives. it is always beneficial to hear different perspectives, even those we don’t always agree with.
I agree, it was pretty one sided - I don’t think our country’s problems are stemming from eating meat. I think it’s the amount, how it’s processed, along with many other dietary factors.
I haven’t seen it but I liked reading through your rough notes- and that you used the word premise (it’s on of my favorites to get my 3rd graders to use)!
….I’m totally interested in watching Forks over Knives!
I would love to see a third grader use that word.
I haven’t seen it yet. But it sounds eye opening. I’ll be having a date with netflix later in the week!
Saw it, loved it, and am not trying to get everyone I know to watch it.
Even if it doesn’t drastically change the way people eat, I think it will definitely change the way people think about food.
Been wanting to watch it..will put it in my queue and “surprise” Travis, aka force him to watch it with the promise of having sex afterwards.
That is the best way ever to bribe the Husband.
I have seen this several times on my Netflix, but haven’t managed to watch it!
I’m sold!
One of my fave movies of the year. Totally changed my view point and made me want to revamp my diet even more!
i have not viewed the documentary, but its concept remind me of of “the china study” by t. colin campbell. marvelous book. in fact, i might enroll in his online plant based nutrition class at cornell. if you haven’t read the book, then i suggest it! it’s highly clinical and scientific, but it will only reaffirm what you do nutritionally. x
I’m pretty sure Campbell was a part of the movie, which is why it seems to go along with The China Study!
Yes, and I LOVED it…so much so, in fact, that we booked Dr. Esselstyn for our radio show (I produce TV and radio) and I got everyone in my office to watch!
Jealous! Did this already occur or is it happening in the future?
We just posted it online:
http://growingbolder.com/media/health/conditions-diseases/dr-caldwell-esselstyn-762312.html
i have not seen this one, but did see food matters. pretty similar in what the message is, and i think it is important for people to be aware of where food comes food and how the food industry really works
I haven’t seen forks over knives, but I did read T. Colin Campbell’s book, The China Study. (He is involved in the documentary, right?) The book, without a doubt, changed my life and eating habits. It’s powerful.
He was involved in the documentary! I have been meaning to read that book for ages but never got around to it! It still is on my list!
I have never seen it but heard many things about it. I was vegetarian for 3 years and I’m sure it would make me want to go back to that lifestyle. I still eat mostly vegetarian but it’s always good to get the extra knowledge. I’ll have to check it out!
Do you mind me asking what made you go back to eating meat? Not being a snarky vegetarian - just curious.
I don’t mind at all! I think it was because I just felt like I needed something more substantial. When I was a vegetarian I lived off frozen dinners, beans, and veggie burgers and that’s it. If I had more time or more knowledge of how to eat better then I probably would have stayed vegetarian but I just felt like it was better for me to get more protein and stuff at the time. I actually lost weight and have been healthier than ever. I still love to eat vegetarian and vegan sometimes and because I’m much more knowledgeable I’d probably be able to keep up with it better. I wasn’t much of a cook or anything back then so that is probably why.
I’ve heard so many good things about this film and can’t wait to see it. I ordered it from Amazon a few days ago so I should be receiving it any day! Watching documentaries and reading books about the American food industry and the role food plays in our society always reminds me of why I chose to become a vegan.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
If I were to buy it, I would be paying it forward with everyone I know to get to watch it! It’s awesome.
I saw this movie when it was being shown in the theaters, and I too was astounded at some of the statistics. It illustrates some very compelling arguments for eating a plant-based diet and makes me wish every single American was required to watch it.
Thank you Chelsey for mentioning this film!! Watched it a couple months ago on Netflix and in my opinion, everybody MUST watch this film. I absolutely loved it. Btw have you watched Burzinski? If you haven’t, please check it out I’m sure you’ll like it.
I have not watched that - checking it out now! Thanks!
This is definitely now on my “must see” list…our country is in serious trouble in terms of overall health.
Thanks for the Sparknotes of version of the documentary! I haven’t seen it but would definitely like to soon. Whether or not in changes consumption patterns of individuals, it sounds like a great eye-opener!
I really enjoyed it! I watched it with my carnivore husband and he has actually been trying so many new veggie foods with me. He still isn’t ready to give up meat, but he has been eating less of it and more veggies, tofu and tempeh.
I told the Husband he needed to watch it with me and at first he refused until I explained it. We may be watching it this weekend… fingers crossed.
I keep hearing about this documentary but now i think im gonna go rent it! I wonder if you can watch it online anywhere?
Ahhhh… so frustrating! That’s been on my Netflix list forever, but they keep making me wait for it. Hopefully it comes soon!
I haven’t seen this one, but I saw Food Inc. and it was so eye opening! I really want to see this one too.
I saw it a few weeks ago and loved it! Real men eat plants - best part. Try telling that to my hubby. I also loved how striking the evidence was when mice were fed casein and then not and how the stats correlated exactly to their cancer levels. Pretty powerful stuff. So happy I eat plants and decided to polish off what felt like a field’s worth of spinach and kale last night. Watch out!
ooh yes, need to see this! maybe I’ll get my boyfriend to watch it with me too (recurring theme? ha)… he’s pretty good with knowing that a plant-centered meal is best, but he is super skeptical when it comes to reasons why meat and dairy aren’t as good for us as we’re led to believe.
I get that there’s a lot of valid reasons to have a beef with the meat production industry, and I haven’t seen this movie, but your bullets make me wonder about the validity of it.
“As fast food restaurants became more prevalent, cancer in the US continued to rise”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Correlation_does_not_imply_causation
I don’t eat fast food for a whole host of reasons, and I’m sure this film probably covered a lot of valid ones, but this one is not legitimate. As the wiki article says; correlation does not imply causation.
“If the US redirected the amount of grain that goes into feeding cattle to feed the hungry, that grain could be used to feed every single hungry person in the world.”
That’s not possible. It’s so far from the realm of viable solutions that it feels more like an emotional trick to make people feel guilty, like those Sarah McLaughlin ASPCA commercials. Farmers grow grain, the cattle industry buys it to feed stock, and they sell their stock. The almighty dollar drives this process, and there is no money to be made in giving it all away. Or in free trans-atlantic shipping to get it to the third world. Or in free milling to turn it into food.
I’m not trying to be mean.. really. I just want real solutions. Check out CharityWater.org some time. Real problem, real solution. I liked your CSA post, because I totally buy into that being a choice that families can make that encourages eating more fruits and veggies, helps the local food producers, promotes organic and environmentally sustainable practices, decreases the amount of preservatives, etc, etc.
So how about it? Anyone have good and actionable ideas?
I don’t think that the fast food and cancer are directly related, but I think there can be a correlation based on lifestyle factors, obesity, eating processed foods, etc.
I said in one of my other replies that I think this documentary was pretty one sided (as most are). I would have loved to see research done on the health benefits of switching to an all organic/unprocessed food diet that did include meat and animal products alongside a vegetarian diet to compare the two.
And I don’t think you’re being mean - I enjoy the conversation. I know you’re always up for a debate!
We’re looking forward to seeing you both in a few weeks for Thanksgiving!!
I can’t wait! It’s a trip that is long overdue.
Forks Over Knives was incredible. I was already vegan when I watched it, but it still fascinated me. I really want to try to get the meat and dairy loving bf to give it a go!
If you haven’t read The China Study, it’s by T. Colin Campbell and it’s similarly amazing.
Sounds like a very interesting and worthwile documentary
I’ve nevr seen Sleepless in Seattle either, I am so so rubbish with films!
I haven’t watched this. Seeing obese children makes me really sad. People really need to get educated.
I saw this on Netflix but hadn’t gotten around to watching it. Guess I’ll have to add it to the queue!
Hi! I just found your blog and have been enjoying reading it. I watched Forks Over Knives too and thought it was great! I have been vegetarian for about a year and a half and am trying to eat less dairy and sugar. Sugar is the hard one
Great blog and I look forward to reading more.
My favorite take-away from the movie is that it is impossible to be undernourished eating enough calories on a whole-foods, plant-based diet. It’s now part of my ammunition when people ask me how I get enough protein or enough calcium.
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