No one can guarantee us perfect health, and let’s face it, the nutrition news out there makes it increasingly confusing to guide our own habits towards our best intentioned health goals. But if there’s one thing we can be sure of, plants have our back.

Fiber. Antioxidants. Energy. Protein (YES PROTEIN!:)). Vital Nutrients. Healthy Fats. Plant foods tilt the balance away from chronic disease and conditions and towards optimal health. It seems like nearly every chronic and debilitating disease becomes more and more common with each passing year – including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's, and autoimmune diseases. And at the same time, the American diet has become more and more centered around animal products, as both the main course and the cherry on top (cheese, right?).

The two documentaries shared in the BASICS page – Forks Over Knives and What the Health – are must sees, in my humble opinion. Both of these movies introduce how research shows plants have our backs. “Food as medicine” is still not the medical mainstream (*see the end of the post for more on this) but the evidence and energy behind focusing on dietary shifts towards plant-based foods is growing and these documentaries will start to show you why. Yes, you can go online and find all sorts of opinions to dispute the message of these movies (but it’s important to understand where these disputing arguments resources come from – just as it is important to understand the sources behind information presented in each movie - What the Health actually lists theirs out in detail on their website). So before you dig in to the internet, it’s worth taking some time to listen to these pointed messages about how complicated our health and food systems have become and they both offer a healthy dose of optimism on how to fix it.

Forks Over Knives was one of my own early resources in getting to understand plant-based eating and What the Health felt like the bookend on much of what I’ve learned and experienced these past several years. Check them out if you like and see what you think. Free on Netflix (yay!) but they can also be rented through the links below for each film.

Forks Over Knives - The Trailer

Here's a link to the full description - Forks Over Knives - following is a great intro from the Forks Over Knives peeps on the basis of the movie:

 "Two out of every three of us are overweight. Cases of diabetes are exploding, especially amongst our younger population. About half of us are taking at least one prescription drug. Major medical operations have become routine, helping to drive health care costs to astronomical levels. Heart disease, cancer and stroke are the country’s three leading causes of death, even though billions are spent each year to 'battle' these very conditions. Millions suffer from a host of other degenerative diseases.

Could it be there’s a single solution to all of these problems? A solution so comprehensive, but so straightforward, that it’s mind-boggling that more of us haven’t taken it seriously?

Forks Over Knives examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods. The major storyline in the film traces the personal journeys of a pair of pioneering yet under-appreciated researchers, Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn...."

As you'll see, both Dr. Campbell and Dr. Esselstyn give detailed accounts of how they became convinced and passionate about plant-based nutrition by sharing each of their personal and professional journeys. Dr. Campbell's work began in the research realm, in the field and in the lab, as he saw convincing associations between animal-based proteins and increasing (and carcinogenic) activity in promoting disease, while Dr. Esselstyn's interest started in practice, which then led to research when, as a surgeon, he wanted to move past treatment and help the next person avoid unhealthy fates by focusing on prevention. Both the Esselstyns and the Campbells have many members of their families who are now advocating at all corners of the U.S. for plant-based nutrition, and it's inspiring to see how these families walk the walk and work to take concepts around plant-based eating and health more mainstream. 

What the Health - The Trailer

Here is a link that will take you to the full background page - What the Health - and following I'll once again let the film pros tell you best about the premise to the film. Here's the synopsis from the What the Health team from their website: 

"What the Health is the groundbreaking follow-up film from the creators of the award winning documentary Cowspiracy. The film follows intrepid filmmaker Kip Andersen as he uncovers the secret to preventing and even reversing chronic diseases – and investigates why the nation’s leading health organizations don’t want us to know about it. With heart disease and cancer the leading causes of death in America, and diabetes at an all-time high, the film reveals possibly the largest health cover-up of our time. With the help of medical doctors, researchers, and consumer advocates, What the Health exposes the collusion and corruption in government and big business that is costing us trillions of healthcare dollars, and keeping us sick.

Join Kip as he tracks down the leading and most trusted American health nonprofits to find out why these groups are staying silent, despite a growing body of evidence. Audiences will be shocked to learn the insidious roles played by pharmaceutical companies, agribusiness, and processed animal food companies in the nation’s health, especially in the most vulnerable communities, and will cheer at the transformation and recovery of those who took their lives into their own hands.

What The Health is a surprising, and at times hilarious, investigative documentary that will be an eye-opener for everyone concerned about our nation’s health and how big business influences it."

It's complicated, right? What the Health explores many complex issues around nutrition and healthcare. These films have big messages that aren't always easy to digest right away. But their messages can add interesting perspectives to your own exploration and are detailed intros to concepts around plant-based nutrition. If you're hungry for more information, check out the resources on the BASICS page of this site as well as the books linked in the TOOLKIT – and of course we’ll keep exploring here on THE VINE! 

*Before we sign off on this post, one more note on something that may be on your mind as you read and explore these films. If plant-based nutrition is all that and a bag of (baked, oil-free) chips, really, why haven't you heard about the benefits of plant-based eating from your doctor? Well, that's a good question - we hope you are! And maybe you have! But if you haven't, these films discuss this topic and here are a couple of resources that explore this inquiry further, should you be interested.

• How Much Nutrition Education Do Doctors Get? by Michael Greger M.D./Nutritionfacts.org
• Why Don't More Doctors Practice Prevention? by Michael Greger M.D./Nutritionfacts.org

Just because your doctor isn't discussing plant-based nutrition with you, doesn't mean you shouldn't or couldn't discuss this with your doctor. And by no means am I sharing these to challenge trusting the nutrition guidance of your doctor - quite the opposite! They may not have experience with plant-based eating or it may not be on their radar, so if you're curious about working with your doctor to try nutritional interventions, doing your own research and bringing it with you is a great first step to see how it can compliment your current lifestyle or treatment plans. Getting more doctors talking about plant-based nutrition with their patients is super important, in my book. 

Now that you have some resources to help you learn more about how plants have you're back, ready for Reason #2? Comin' to you soon. But first we'll have a few tips and cooking resources for plant-based and vegan feasting for the holidays in my next post.