Forks Over Knives

If you read this blog and especially the "On the Menu" section, you may have noticed that I've been trying to incorporate a few meatless-meals into our diet every week. "Why?", you probably wonder.  Well, thanks to the eye-opening documentary "Forks Over Knives", my husband and I have started to re-evaluate our diets. I am not writing this post to persuade anyone to transform their diets or make any drastic lifestyle changes. I just suggest that everyone watch this film and make the choice for yourself! 

The film focuses on two researchers, Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, who through much research were led to a startling conclusion: degenerative diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even several forms of cancer, could almost always be prevented- and in many cases reversed- by adopting a whole-foods, plant-based diet. Crazy, right!?!  These doctors highlighted stories of several "regular" people living with these diseases, and showed that through diet and excercise lifestyle changes made by these people, their conclusions were true. They talked about how as Americans, the food and drug industries have convinced us that we need meat for protein and dairy for calcium, and we have been brainwashed our whole lives to believe this is the only or best way to receive these essential nutrients. However, there are several plant-based foods that in fact, are greater and more complete sources of protein and calcium. I found the entire film and its message to be extremely interesting.

While I have not drastically changed my diet, I have become much more aware and have personally concluded this for myself-  My meals should not be based around what meat I'm going to eat. Instead, I am making an effort to make plant-based foods the primary source of my diet as much as I can, watch the portion size of my animal-based foods, eat as little processed foods as realistically possible, and most importantly, pay careful attention to the nutrients each meal I eat is providing. I don't beat myself up if I have a huge, juicy burger at a cookout, or eat a processed granola bar before the gym because I don't have time to prepare anything else, but I am aware of what I am eating and do my best to stay on track! I think this is the first step to healthy living. Whether you agree or not, I believe it is our duty to put in the time to learn what the foods we are eating are actually doing to our bodies and make educated decisions of how we are going to live and feed our lives. Maya Angelou said, "When you know better, you do better" and I completely agree! 

Find out more about the Forks Over Knives movement here, watch the film, and let me know what you think!