Forks over Knives - Pondering Vegan?
HisPathDaily
Posts: 672 Member
OK, I'm not one to be an alarmist, and I'm still not going to be, but I have to say the movie "Forks over Knives" really brought up some interesting things for me to ponder. I'm considering moving more towards a vegan diet (and frankly I've had periods of such and felt great), but was just curious if any of you have seen the movie and/or could point me to some places for me to do my own research?
I understand that most of these POV (point of view) documentaries, are just that, a POV. However there was a lot of info to make up here, and I am believing that at least a good chuck of it has some meat to it (pun intended).
Thoughts, Direction, Reading Suggestions, etc.
~Matt
I understand that most of these POV (point of view) documentaries, are just that, a POV. However there was a lot of info to make up here, and I am believing that at least a good chuck of it has some meat to it (pun intended).
Thoughts, Direction, Reading Suggestions, etc.
~Matt
0
Replies
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dr. mcDougall's website is awesome.
also search engine 2 diet
happyherbivore.com has great recipes to help you transition
jeff novick
there's loads of information online, and if you have Facebook, and "like" the above mentioned people's page, there are links to very informative articles.0 -
I watched it and then went pescatarian. I don't want to go full vegan because it seems like a PITA. But, vegetarian seems pretty easy, especially allowing fish. I don't know where to point you. I'm just letting you know that I made the leap after seeing that movie. I also think the movie has some controversy. Like anything "study", there's always things they leave out. Some of their data was subject to criticism, and you can google it. But, there's always haters, no matter what the situation.
I haven't really noticed anything or much difference except that I never feel heavy anymore. After a meal, you feel light, but full. I like it. It takes some getting used to.
One thing is, I sleep better at night. I used to be a horrible sleeper. Now, my sleep has improved a lot.0 -
Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead is another documentary that shows juicing as a lifesaver for some people. I thought it was compelling, but I'm not buying a juicer. You might enjoy seeing it, though.
How To Cook Your Life is about a Buddhist approach to cooking and eating. I really enjoyed watching it, too.
I'm vegetarian and have reduced my consumption of eggs and dairy, but have not eliminated them entirely from my diet.0 -
I love the doc, but I don't find it necessary to make the full switch. I still eat meat and chicken and fish, but I've cut out so many processed foods in my diet now. I think it's more about eating natural foods than cutting out some things entirely, even though that's what they did in the doc.0
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dr. mcDougall's website is awesome.
also search engine 2 diet
happyherbivore.com has great recipes to help you transition
jeff novick
there's loads of information online, and if you have Facebook, and "like" the above mentioned people's page, there are links to very informative articles.
^^^What she said.
Also if you like to read, anything by Dr. Caldwell Esseltyn (who is the father of Rip Esseltyn who wrote the Engine 2 Diet). Dr. Esseltyn is a very famous cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic - he's the one who President Clinton sought out after his last bypass and the one guiding Mr. Clinton's conversion to veganism.
Also read anything by Dr. John McDougall, Dr. Neil Barnard, or Dr. Campbell's The China Study (Campbell is the Jacob Gould Schurman Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry at Cornell University) - The China Study is worth the read although I found the second half of the book light on science and heavy on assertions - but the first half is compelling.
Neil Barnard is extremely active both as a researcher and a writer promoting a vegan diet. His work's being sponsored by large insurance companies as well as the gov't - when you've got those two players in the game you know he's onto something.
I love McDougall's website - http://www.drmcdougall.com0 -
I loved the book and movie.......I am now 40% vegetarian. It is alot easier than i thought too. So many good receipes out there. At first it seemed expensvie but after you get all the intial stuff it's no more expensive than eating meat.
It is alot easier to drop some pounds too. I feel better. more alert and attentive.0 -
Read anything by Campbell or Essylsten (from the film), John McDougall, Rip Esselstyn, Joel Fuhrman, Brendan Brazier. Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer is really good for an intro to things beyond health - environmental, economic, sociological, etc. - if you want to go there at some point.0
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I second the Neil Barnard recommendation as well.0
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I loved the documentary and considered vegan as well. I can't imagine giving up my fish though, and I don't eat much meat to being with. It inspires me to lower my dairy intake though and replace my meat-and-dairy-based proteins with plant-based ones. Good luck whatever you decide to do with the new information!0
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The documentary gave me a lot of insight when I was considering making the switch. Although, I have not yet decided to make the switch to a vegan diet, I have switched to a vegetarian one and have felt a noticable difference in my energy levels and moods.
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But, vegetarian seems pretty easy, especially allowing fish.
You can't eat "some" animals and still be a vegetarian. I can't say "hey, I eat hamburgers, but I'm still a vegetarian". So no, you're not a vegetarian.
Haven't watched this movie yet but I'm already working towards becoming vegan. I'm a vegetarian, which is the best decision I have ever made. I have felt a difference in my energy levels and stuff too. Although I never ate much meat to begin with. But, since I became vegetarian, I became smarter about what I ate (aka made sure I ate enough protein, etc.).
Anyway, TONS of great vegan recipes out there. Google is your friend 0 -
But, vegetarian seems pretty easy, especially allowing fish.
You can't eat "some" animals and still be a vegetarian. I can't say "hey, I eat hamburgers, but I'm still a vegetarian". So no, you're not a vegetarian.
Haven't watched this movie yet but I'm already working towards becoming vegan. I'm a vegetarian, which is the best decision I have ever made. I have felt a difference in my energy levels and stuff too. Although I never ate much meat to begin with. But, since I became vegetarian, I became smarter about what I ate (aka made sure I ate enough protein, etc.).
Anyway, TONS of great vegan recipes out there. Google is your friend
He can, however, be a pescetarian. Live and let live, my friend. No need to harsh someone for trying to live a healthier lifestyle.0 -
I recommend reading: "Beyond Broccoli: Creating a Biologically Balanced Diet When a Vegetarian Diet Doesn't Work" by Susan Schenk.
Do a lot of research on all points of view.0 -
I watched it and then went pescatarian. I don't want to go full vegan because it seems like a PITA. But, vegetarian seems pretty easy, especially allowing fish. I don't know where to point you. I'm just letting you know that I made the leap after seeing that movie. I also think the movie has some controversy. Like anything "study", there's always things they leave out. Some of their data was subject to criticism, and you can google it. But, there's always haters, no matter what the situation.
I haven't really noticed anything or much difference except that I never feel heavy anymore. After a meal, you feel light, but full. I like it. It takes some getting used to.
One thing is, I sleep better at night. I used to be a horrible sleeper. Now, my sleep has improved a lot.
This is what I did. I couldn't be full vegan because I love eggs and certain cheeses (primarily eat cottage and goat cheese). I also eat fish for the protein and for all the good fats; I eat it about twice a week.
I've notice big improvements towards my overall energy levels and sleeping at night. I hit the bed and I'm out. I also feel light all the time, I never feel heavy after I eat.
I am also trying to hit 40/30/30 just because higher levels of protein help keep me full.0 -
I pondered the same thing after the film for several days. I finally just did it. It's hard, and takes some getting used to. I am getting flack from many family and friends, but I just kept telling myself I needed to at least try. I am on week 2 and I feel amazing. I feel really good about the food choices I am making. My husband still eats his meat but I am hoping he will at least give up all processed snacks. I am just trying to create a "new normal" for my family. I want to know what I am eating and feel good about that.
Its a personal choice.0 -
dr. mcDougall's website is awesome.
also search engine 2 diet
happyherbivore.com has great recipes to help you transition
jeff novick
there's loads of information online, and if you have Facebook, and "like" the above mentioned people's page, there are links to very informative articles.
^^ Thanks for this!0 -
But, vegetarian seems pretty easy, especially allowing fish.
You can't eat "some" animals and still be a vegetarian. I can't say "hey, I eat hamburgers, but I'm still a vegetarian". So no, you're not a vegetarian.
I can't tell you how many acquaintances I have who say they are vegetarian but end up ordering some kind of meat dish when we go out. I try to correct them but I suppose that's why I keep them acquaintances.
To the OP, good luck, it takes a stronger person than I to be a vegetarian.0 -
I thought it was a great movie and very convincing -- I was ready to go vegetarian after watching it. :laugh: But doing a little research I don't think the science/arguments presented in the movie hold up under scrutiny. Here is a good place, I think, to get an even-handed review of the science:
“Forks Over Knives”: Is the Science Legit? (A Review and Critique)
http://rawfoodsos.com/2011/09/22/forks-over-knives-is-the-science-legit-a-review-and-critique/0 -
bumping for later0
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But, vegetarian seems pretty easy, especially allowing fish.
You can't eat "some" animals and still be a vegetarian. I can't say "hey, I eat hamburgers, but I'm still a vegetarian". So no, you're not a vegetarian.
Haven't watched this movie yet but I'm already working towards becoming vegan. I'm a vegetarian, which is the best decision I have ever made. I have felt a difference in my energy levels and stuff too. Although I never ate much meat to begin with. But, since I became vegetarian, I became smarter about what I ate (aka made sure I ate enough protein, etc.).
Anyway, TONS of great vegan recipes out there. Google is your friend
Actually, you can do whatever you want. I can call myself whatever I want. 98% of my diet is vegetarian. I throw in fish here and there. I dunno. Whateves. I used to think like you, until I did it. Now, I get it.0 -
I really appreciate the feedback and pointers to some good resources.
Bottom line, I want to treat this body like it needs to be treated. I seem to care more about the gas I put in my car than what I put in my mouth ... and that would be slightly wrong, eh?
Even after I've done a lot of changing to my diet, I still throw too much garbage in ... I'm more "excited" than anything to continue to change this lifestyle, not overwhelmed ...
Thanks again,
~Matt0 -
I also think I may change my food diary into vegan/non-vegan ... just to start giving me an idea ... I never really cared about the meal breakdown (as I just usually concentrated on daily stuff) ... but perhaps the vegan / non-vegan breakdown will actually be useful for this assessment, whatever my goal ends up being.
Hmm ...0 -
I've never seen the movie myself but http://blog.fatfreevegan.com is a great website for recipes and recipe ideas (not all the recipes are fat free or even low fat but many happen to be).0
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Matt, I saw the movie around a year ago and had already read "The China Study". I became a pescegan. Have done it for a year now and I can share a few pointers. I was humming along feeling great and very proud of myself until, over a period of a few days, got tense for no reason and lost drive and energy. I figured that it might be lack of protein and I was right. That was it. Or most of it.
I started drinking a high protein drink every day for Bfast which corrected the problem. I've come to understand how hard it is for vegans to get the protein they need (around 55-65 gms.).in a normal vegan diet. The drink has simple soy protein high ISO powder, Dutch process cocoa powder, banana, hand full of fresh or frozen berries and a handful of spinach in 2 cups of soy milk. I get 43 grams of protein out of this and the rest is plant protein in meals. The last ingredient is really important. It has a heaping teaspoon of organic kelp powder to supply essential micronutrients.
I also take supplemental B vitamins, antioxidants and the regular multivits.
I would recommend "Becoming Vegan" written by registered dieticians. Go for it. Some of the best athletes are vegan!0 -
I am a pescatarian, mostly vegetarian after seeing Forks Over Knives and Food Inc. I have also read a few books about the subject. I particularly liked Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. I was vegetarian for approximately a year and then decided to add fish by into my diet for convenience when eating at restaurants. I eat very little dairy products but plenty of eggs. So I guess I'm my own breed of "conscientious eater". I avoid labels because of the kind of people like the close minded ones above who are all about a label and judgmental attitude toward others.0
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I'm a science person (professionally and just because I'm a science nerd lol), so I believe the best diet for my body is the one that makes the most sense biochemically. I have no morality issues, other than giving my body the best, that would persuade me any choose one style of diet over another. If you compare a vegan diet to the standard american diet, it easily wins. However, a clean diet of protein (mean), fats, and vegetables makes complete sense. I do believe in choosing the best meat products (grass-fed beef, pastured chickens/eggs, wild caught fish) as many of our dietary concerns over the years have come from poor quality.
I just cannot accept that the human body will healthiest on a vegan diet. If that were the case, how have we survived this long? lol. People looked healthy before the infiltration of highly processed, not really food food.
What bothers me with any push for a specific diet attached with a product is the presence of an agenda. The science may be a little more skewed in their favor. That's why doing your own research is imperative. I don't want lists of epidemiological studies; where are the in vitro and in vivo experiments? I like the data to speak for itself.0 -
I'm a science person (professionally and just because I'm a science nerd lol), so I believe the best diet for my body is the one that makes the most sense biochemically. I have no morality issues, other than giving my body the best, that would persuade me any choose one style of diet over another. If you compare a vegan diet to the standard american diet, it easily wins. However, a clean diet of protein (mean), fats, and vegetables makes complete sense. I do believe in choosing the best meat products (grass-fed beef, pastured chickens/eggs, wild caught fish) as many of our dietary concerns over the years have come from poor quality.
I just cannot accept that the human body will healthiest on a vegan diet. If that were the case, how have we survived this long? lol. People looked healthy before the infiltration of highly processed, not really food food.
What bothers me with any push for a specific diet attached with a product is the presence of an agenda. The science may be a little more skewed in their favor. That's why doing your own research is imperative. I don't want lists of epidemiological studies; where are the in vitro and in vivo experiments? I like the data to speak for itself.
^^^^^ YES ^^^^^^0 -
I'm a science person (professionally and just because I'm a science nerd lol), so I believe the best diet for my body is the one that makes the most sense biochemically. I have no morality issues, other than giving my body the best, that would persuade me any choose one style of diet over another. If you compare a vegan diet to the standard american diet, it easily wins. However, a clean diet of protein (mean), fats, and vegetables makes complete sense. I do believe in choosing the best meat products (grass-fed beef, pastured chickens/eggs, wild caught fish) as many of our dietary concerns over the years have come from poor quality.
I just cannot accept that the human body will healthiest on a vegan diet. If that were the case, how have we survived this long? lol. People looked healthy before the infiltration of highly processed, not really food food.
What bothers me with any push for a specific diet attached with a product is the presence of an agenda. The science may be a little more skewed in their favor. That's why doing your own research is imperative. I don't want lists of epidemiological studies; where are the in vitro and in vivo experiments? I like the data to speak for itself.
Amen to all of that!!
BTW you are my new favorite person on MFP! 0 -
Amen to all of that!!
BTW you are my new favorite person on MFP!
*blushes* gee thanks :-)0 -
Thanks again for all the feedback, it's good to hear varying position.
With some illness and injury my "September" change has been stunted, but I hope to start mid-week ... Clearly, processed chemical garbage needs to be seriously reduced from my plate first ... I really don't think I will ever attain vegan status (nor do I think I want to after some further thinking) but clearly if I'm focusing on whole, clean eating, and reducing meats and ramping up vegetables, I will be much better off.
Still pondering tweaking my diary settings to make more food groups rather than meals ... I think it will help me see what I'm eating beyond macronutrients.
Anyway ... thanks for helping me work this out.0
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