I’m an advocate for playing outside, but these three documentaries will teach you far more than your average adventure flick. And, considering you are what you eat, making the right food choices is one important step towards eternal happiness.
By Yasemin Trollope
Here are my top three…
1. Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead
For anyone who’s ever questioned the benefits of juicing as they sit there munching their fried chicken, I urge you to watch this film.
Created by likeable Aussie businessman, Joe Cross, this film captures his epic journey from sick to inspiringly healthy. You see, Joe has a rare autoimmune disease.
He’s overweight, on a truck load of medications, in pain, and willing to do anything to get healthy again. Cue in, juicing. Yep, Joe embarks on an extreme diet of only juice and turns his life (and health) around completely.
Watch it if: You’re looking for an inspiring story of hope, health, and happiness that addresses the benefits of juicing, greens, and processed food avoidance. It’s also great if you’re overweight, stuck for options and looking for a new lease on life.
2. Forks Over Knives
If you’re a believer in eating for health, this movie will open your eyes up to the incredible potential of food as medicine. It outlines the dangers of eating a diet high in processed, animal-based foods and argues that these are the root cause of serious illness such as cancer.
Watch it if: You’re addicted to Maccas. Or, you want to further educate yourself on the benefits of a plant-based diet with lots, and lots, and lots of greens.
3. Food Inc.
I can’t tell you how much this movie changed my perception of food. While it is important to note that the information being given is based on American food practices, it’s – erm – food for thought for us Aussies who really want to take notice of where our food is coming from, and how the animals we eat are treated.
After watching this film my husband and I have decided not to eat pork anymore. And proudly continue with our organic, cage-free chickens.
However, the movie also talks about cattle feed-lots, and the effects of eating beef that is grain fed, rather than the preferred grass fed. While a large proportion of cattle in Australia is grass-fed, there’s currently a push to relabel Australian beef products to educate the consumer on whether the cattle is grass or grain fed, or grain-finished, which is a loophole in the system that allows cattle to be grain fed for 70 days, yet still classified as grass fed. Confusing, much?This is only the beginning.
Watch it if: You want to start asking more questions like: Where does our food come from? What’s in it? How did it got to my plate? Do I really want to eat this again?
