By Virginia Messina, MPH, RD As a vegan health professional, I am sometimes mortified to be associated with the junk science that permeates our community. And as an animal rights activist, I’m disheartened by advocacy efforts that can make us look scientifically illiterate, dishonest, and occasionally like a cult of conspiracy theorists. There is a growing movement to create a more honest and evidence-based approach to vegan nutrition, though. And those of us who value this effort need to be a more visible presence in the animal rights community. We can’t allow our voices to be drowned out by the pseudoscientific noise. We need the non-vegan world to know that it is possible to stand in support of animal rights while embracing scientific integrity.
TheFortField wrote: » I watched Food Choices last night, I found it very interesting, particularly the contributions from the Ultra-endurance athletes, boxers and MMA fighters who reported significant improvements in their fitness and performances since switching to a plant-based diet. A friend sent me this list of documentaries earlier, some of them have been mentioned in the thread already.
gozunda wrote: » Unfortunately many of the above drama-documentaties which I've seen do not stand up to scrutiny and frequently peddle misinformation imo. Thankfully I'm not the only individual who has noticed this trend...https://www.vegan.com/posts/vegan-dietitian-review-what-the-health/
TheFortField wrote: » I don't want to derail the thread but I'd like to address the point you've made. I don't buy into everything I'm told and accept it as gospel. For example: look at the alcohol industry, they'll tell you that red wine is good for your heart and it may even help to prevent dementia - on the other side, the medical profession tell us that alcohol can cause cancer and there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. So what do we do? Some people will carry on drinking heavily, others will reduce their intake and a smaller number will eliminate alcohol completely. All we can do is evaluate the information that is available to us and make choices that suit us and our lives. I started this thread after watching Forks over Knives. The documentary prompted me to re-evaluate my diet. For the first 18 years of my life I followed mainly a vegetarian diet as my mother was vegetarian (which was unusual at the time in Ireland). For the next 20 years, I was in a relationship with a part-time dairy and beef farmer who loved all food - fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. I was converted and I will admit I embraced and thoroughly enjoyed this lifestyle. However, while I was eating what I considered healthy foods and exercising daily I felt really dreadful most of the time - yet on paper I was a healthy person - good blood test results, no medical conditions, no meds, no weight issues etc. I decided to give the plant-based diet a try a couple of months ago, the first couple of weeks were awful, I had headaches and I was permanently exhausted. However, I'm glad I stuck with it. I have never felt healthier and happier in my whole life! I won't go listing all the benefits but I definitely notice that my mood is so much better, my mind is sharper, clearer and I have more energy. The only downside so far is I've dropped a size and need to buy new clothes. I'm not racing out to convert people to veganism/vegetarianism but so far it seems to be benefitting me and without seeing FOK or reading 'How Not To Die' it might have taken me years to make these changes as my GP would never have had any reason to raise diet with me.
jbroaders wrote: » Forks and knives is why I turned vegan about 8 weeks ago. That article just shattered my resolve. Brilliantly written. Dammit !!
[Deleted User] wrote: » Not sure where to post this link but has anyone seen this ? Is it worth me going to a lot of hassle to see it ? P&O stops transporting calves following BBC investigation http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-45487502
davidjtaylor wrote: » Try this one: it's not from a vegan slant. Instead, it's an understated eye-popper about the insanity of the American diet. It's another case of poor people handing over their money to the mega-rich in exchange for ill-health.King Corn
100 celebrities narrate this enlightening documentary that re-examines the interconnectedness of all life on Earth, ponders our place in the universe, while taking viewers on an epic journey through the history of civilization and beyond. In this compassionate and inspiring film, your heart and mind are taken on a rollercoaster ride that is inspiring, horrifying and enlightening all at once, the perfect balance between light and shadow.
davidjtaylor wrote: » Unity Beware: distressing in parts.
[Deleted User] wrote: » Hard to watch but very important watch also. The truth does hurt. I’d be delighted to see it as part of the curriculum. Not sure what age group though.
Since becoming a vegan, I have learnt more and more about the ways in which veganism is seen by others and how there is a very wrong use of heavy propaganda in order to “force” others to adapt this lifestyle. This has been something I have disliked from the beginning, as it is up to each person to find their beliefs. One of the main reasons I did not like Unity in the end, was due to the fact that there was an overwhelming bombardment of graphic images, statistics, famous quotes that were used completely out of context and even a fish being eaten whilst alive in China. I understand the need sometimes to shock people and show them harsh realities, however when suddenly all health problems seam to be put down to eating meat and when it is suggested that we are soon to evolve into a whole new species called Homo-Spiritus, (both of which are displayed in the film), I think it quickly turns into one man enforcing his views on others, with no real scientific, evolutionary or factual backing and knowledge. There appears to be an underlying tone that those who eat meat are somehow wrong and not elevated, both physically and spiritually as vegans are, which only serves to divide people and the films viewers, a complete contradiction to the films message of unity and harmony among all beings.
When [Marshall] Texas Mayor Ed Smith III was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he elected to forego conventional treatment in favor of a whole food, plant-based diet. The results were nothing short of miraculous: his cancer disappeared. He and his wife embarked on a mission to help their town and community adopt a healthier lifestyle based on plant foods.
The stories of Marshall's residents are combined with interviews from expert doctors and researchers in the field of nutrition, and professional athletes.
Deleted User wrote: » Quite a few movies I’ve never heard of there sonive some viewing ahead of me.
TheFortField wrote: » I know that there has been some criticism of these documentaries on this thread
TheFortField wrote: » I'm on the WFPB diet over two and a half months now and I have never felt happier or healthier in my life. I no longer feel my 42 years, I only wish I had discovered this way of life sooner....
davidjtaylor wrote: » There'll always be trolls, people who don't or won't understand, people who have a vested interest. Just ignore them and carry on setting an excellent example. Exactly this. I'm the same weight I was 30 years ago (73 kilos, around 23.5 BMI) and perfectly healthy.
TheFortField wrote: » For the record, I welcome all opinions especially ones that challenge my personal views/beliefs. We can all learn from each other. However, this thread was set up so Vegans/Vegetarians could find more documentaries like 'Forks Over Knives'. You haven't recommended any documentaries and you have made a number of attempts to derail the thread by slating plant-based diet documentaries. Why not start a new thread to discuss the issues you feel so passionately about? As for personal testimonies, I notice lots of positive changes in my health and wellbeing since switching to a plant-based diet but it's my personal choice, I'm not trying to sell it to anyone else - live and let I say!!!
gozunda wrote: » I agree with your first paragraph. I like discussion. Hence my comments on those films watched. Why then the negation of this in the rest of the comment? Tbh of those documentaries watched - the science and approach behind many are grossly wanting imo. This is backed this up with other opinion other than just mine. Expressing such opinion is neither derailing' - nor 'slating'. It is simply opinion. Of note the audience for this thread is boards wide not and just this forum. Pushing the view that opinions on these films should not be expressed is indeed a strange one. My point about personal anecdotes is they are what they are but do not constitute a defence to either deny or ignore some very obvious issues with those films.
TheFortField wrote: » It's pretty simple though when I set up the thread I was merely looking for WFPB documentaries, not an ongoing debate. I believe such a discussion deserves a thread of its own. Anyway, have you any WFPB documentaries that you are prepared to recommend?
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