Recently on an international plane trip, I watched a documentary that changed the way I think about food.
Like any long haul flight, I had watched my fair share of movies and my attention span was waning. I wasn’t tired enough to sleep, but didn’t have the concentration span for a full-length movie…
Browsing through the documentary list, I found a film on food (what else) that caught my interest. It was called Forks Over Knives.
I expected to watch part of the film, lose interest and then flick over to something else. Instead I watched the whole way through and was captivated by the message.
It had such an impact on me that I wanted to write about it here on the blog.
Forks Over Knives – The Documentary
Forks Over Knives is a film showcasing the knowledge and research of American nutrition professors, Dr T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn.
Here is a 2 minute trailer of Forks Over Knives:
I would really encourage anyone with an interest in food and health to watch the full-length film. It’s incredibly powerful.
Are our diets killing us?
The film presents a bold belief that:
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diseases like cancer and diabetes can be controlled or potentially reversed by switching to a whole food, plant based diet
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poor diet is responsible for the declining health of the western population
We are consuming more meat, dairy and sugar than the generations before us, and at the same time, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer affect more of us with each year that passes.
Doctors Campbell and Esselstyn, along with a growing number of medical practitioners are treating patients using whole food, plant based diets. In so many cases, these patients have been able to dramatically reduce, if not eliminate their traditional medications.
Their approach is to combat disease with food as medicine (“forks”), over medical procedures and surgery (“knives”).
The plant-based nutrition movement is seriously gathering momentum. There is even a Certificate in Plant Nutrition you can study online via eCornell University, based on Dr. Campbell’s 40 years of research and discovery.
Testimonials from patients include:
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Skyrocketing energy
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Improved sleep quality
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Incredible weight loss
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Eliminating constipation
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Lowering cholesterol
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Clearer skin
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Lowering of blood pressure
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Reduction (and in many cases elimination) of medication
Read their incredible stories at: http://www.forksoverknives.com/category/testimonials/
Celebrity testimonials include:
Russel Brand – Actor
“I’m now vegan, goodbye eggs, hello Ellen.”
Dr. Oz – T.V. Personality
“I saw it, I loved it, and I need all of you to see it too. This could be the Hail Mary of medicine.”
Jason Mraz – Singer / Songwriter
“For those curious or concerned about a plant-based diet, check out the film Forks Over Knives. It’s a life changer.”
Oprah Winfrey – Talk Show Host
“Forks Over Knives is a provocative documentary that explores the idea of using food as medicine.”
Evan Rachel Wood – Actress
“Do yourself a favour. Watch Forks Over Knives. It sticks with you. Phew!”
The Plant Strong Diet:
The Forks Over Knives diet contains:
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Whole grains, fruits, vegetables and plants
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No meat of any kind
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No seafood
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No eggs
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No dairy products
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No oil
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Are you still with me?
Mr Beef
The documentary really did ‘stick with me’, so much that I watched it for a second time on the return flight home. This time I made my husband “Mr Beef” watch it too!
To put this in perspective, Mr Beef grew up on a beef farm that his family still run today, so meat is a dietary staple! After watching the first 20 minutes of the film, he threw his hands up in the air and proclaimed “So what – are you gonna make me turn vegan then!?!?” to which I smirked and replied “just maybe buddy”.
Not one for detail, he now refers to the diet as “Man versus Plants”…
So what can I do?
After returning home, the documentary was still on my mind.
I ordered the Forks Over Knives official book AND the cookbook containing over 300 recipes.
…plus another book by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn’s son, Rip Esselstyn.
Rip is a professional triathlete-turned firefighter, who has achieved amazing results improving the health of other firefighters.
Watch part of their story here…
Inspired by the plant-based challenge, I’ve been considering how I can apply these principles to my own diet. What changes could I make to improve my diet and my health in general?
Taking stock, here’s where I’m at right now:
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Eh hem…I could definitely exercise a whole lot more…
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Let’s not mention my addiction to fries, which by this stage in my life I know is incurable
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Over the years I’ve tried as many diets as the next woman – shakes, low carb, high protein and who knows what
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Right now I’m in a place where my diet contains more vegetables and less refined carbs than ever before. I’ve always aimed to eat healthily most of the time, but there is always room for improvement.
Could I really be meat free?
I’m not so attached to dairy foods, but could I really give up meat completely and adopt a 100% plant based diet?
I don’t think so. I can’t imagine giving up chicken, fish, prawns, lamb, or pork for good.
But I think I could certainly reduce my intake of these foods.
Being a real foodie, there are so many delicious social occasions that revolve around food, and on these occasions good intentions honestly march side-by-side out the door.
What I think I can do:
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Take on inspiration from Forks Over Knives to inspire a ‘health check’ of my diet
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Reduce animal based products in my diet
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Increase plant based meal occasions
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Try new ingredients, combinations and recipes
What should you expect?
Realistically I figure I can experiment with plant based meals at breakfast & lunch occasions.
And what better place to explore these new meal options than right here on the blog. Maybe I can inspire some of you too.
So watch out for plant based recipe inspiration coming up. I’ve even considered making a Lunchbox Rescue – Plant Style e-book for readers of this blog.
In the meantime, check out the the full-length film. It sticks with you!
Here’s the 2 minute trailer again:
Or check out Forks Over Knives at their website, Facebook Page, YouTube Channel or Twitter feed:
Disclaimer:
The views in this post are purely my own opinion and experience. I am not a medical practitioner, nor have I been paid for any promotion of the Forks Over Knives documentary or books.
Photo Credits:
Main image courtesy of http://www.thisdishisvegetarian.com.
All other images are courtesy of the Forks Over Knives Press Kit.
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Welcome to Ten Thousand Tastebuds. I’m Vanessa, and I blog here with a focus on fresh produce and food ingredients. My aim is to to encourage you to mix it up and try new things in your kitchen! xx Happy cooking! 
Hmmmmm not so sure about this article………
You’ll survive Mr Beef
Thanks for posting this Vanessa. I find the science and ethics of what we eat endlessly fascinating. I don’t think there is anything ‘new’ here – all this I learned in Uni and no doubt you too. It is good to see some promotion of healthy diet to compete against the vast industries that supply animal-based ‘products’ though. Sadly, I suspect a combination of their marketing, western affluence and culture, and a complete disconnection with the places and processes food comes from for most people, mean this trend is unlikely to reverse. In fact diets in the developing world are becoming more and more like ours.
On an unrelated note, I am so sad to hear you have dieted – you always have and still do have a beautiful figure
Thanks for the food – for thought
Hi Kelly, thanks so much for your comments
The film really struck a chord with me, and I think it had a lot to do with how the information was presented. And unfortunately I think you are correct that we have a long way to go reversing the trends associated with the western lifestyle and diet. There is progress however with programs educating children, such as Stephanie Alexander’s Kitchen Garden Program, and Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food. They have shown some scary truths that some children have trouble identifying basic fruits and vegetables, and this definitely needs to change if we want to make progress. As for diets, sure I’ve tried them like most other women I know! 
a great post – well laid out and presented and easy to scan and lots of visuals plus good writing
will share this on my WG FB page.
Thanks Nancy! I really enjoyed writing this post, I think it is my longest to date. I would love you to share it on your Womanglow FB page – I think a lot of people will be interested in this topic. Thanks for reading.
Hi Vanessa,
I spoke to Mr LR about this movie and he is very keen to watch it, he read about it months ago. My diet has changed a lot since Mr LR became a pescetarian than vegan. It has brought interesting challenges to my cooking and I have made healthier choices and increased my plant based ingredients in my diet. I feel healthier for it.
Hi Lady Rice, I can just imagine your home cooking has evolved a lot with the changes Mr LR has explored. It’s great, and I think as we get older our attitudes towards food change with us. I have always liked vegetables, but now this doco made them seem a whole lot more appealing! I hope some of the recipes I explore here on the blog will inspire you and Mr LR too.