I’ve been getting asked left and right on my Instagram about the new documentary What The Health. Many of my followers are confused, while others are simply making life changes just from ONE documentary!
The connection between big food organizations and our government is no secret to me, and I’m actually glad this film came out because now there can be some light shed on what many people never questioned.
Ok, I’ll make this short and sweet….a few things just to bring up:
Should We All Go Vegan?
The film makes strongly endorses a vegan diet, stating that cancer, obesity, and heart disease is from meat and dairy consumption. That’s pretty vague if you ask me! I agree, that a HEAVY diet of red meat and cheese is not good and can cause some health issues, however I do believe that lean chicken, turkey, cultured diary (like yogurt and kefir) is actually healing for the body and I myself have benefited first hand. It’s also important to note from WHERE your food come from and HOW it’s made. GMO’s play a huge role in diseases and is one of the main causes of rising health problems. Also, eating free range, grass fed proteins is another difference from the typical meats and is also a huge factor that can benefit the human body.
Yes eating veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, etc. is super important and ultimately part of a healthy, well balanced diet.
I used to be a vegan for health reasons (thinking it was the better option for gut health), then my digestion seemed to be getting worse, I was loosing weight, feeling tired all the time, and just not feeling “normal”. Then I started implementing bone broth, grass-fed meats, and cultured diary into my diet and felt so much better! I had more energy, I was less anemic, and my hair and skin health started thriving.
I’m not saying being vegan is bad! Each person is different and needs different nutrient for their bodies (we aren’t all created equal!), so if you feel better eating a vegan diet – go for it! But if you are scared, influenced, or persuaded to go vegan JUST because of a film…read on!
I do like that What The Health steers people away from eating processed foods and focusing on REAL, whole foods. That’s great and it should be noted that how it all should have been all along in this world. But is “eating one egg is as bad for life expectancy as smoking five cigarettes”? The documentary claims so, and that just baffles me! They argue that “dioxins accumulate specifically in eggs”, but research has found that rice was the most concentrated source of dioxin toxins. And though animal product do contain some dioxin toxins, plant foods had higher amounts of them compared to animal products.
There is plenty of research and health benefits from eating meat and dairy, and if you know me, I consume them regularly. And yogurt in particular helps with IBS (as I’ve experienced the benefits personally) and it’s been proven that dairy does not contribute to the development of coronary artery disease.
Final Thoughts?
I of course agree to always be aware of what you’re consuming, but we have been eating fish, eggs, meat, and dairy from the beginning of time, an it’s ALL NATURAL! What I would focus more on, is again, where the food is coming from and how it’s produced.
Ever tried to thinly slice a chicken breast to mimic the packed lunch meats? It probably was a fail. That’s because lunch meats have been processed, gums and emulsifiers have been added, plus sugars and “natural flavorings” as well.
Before all the processed junk was introduced to our diets, we were doing just fine. There were less illness, less obesity, less less skin and other health problems…and yet we were eating meat, dairy, and eggs! They were just pure, unprocessed, just like they were supposed to be consumed.
We all have different dietary restrictions, allergies, and nutritional needs due to our own daily actives. What works for me may not work for you or the next person, but eating a clean diet (vegan or otherwise) with no preservatives is what can honestly change the way you feel…and to me, the way you feel is what health is all about!
Gina says
Thank you for doing this article! I was going to send you the same question about what you thought about the film. I so appreciate your comments. And, I appreciate all you do. ❤️
Shawnessey Chiodi says
Love love love this article. I just watched this a couple nights ago and have struggled with a handful of items they said to eat. I wanted to reach out to the person who created this film because they never differentiated between grassfed and processed. COMPLETELY different. Having been a nurse once upon a time, this gave me mixed emotions. Between anger and sadness for those who are truly unaware. To see that the people who are supposed to be helping are actually sponsored by those who hurt us.
Bethany says
Awww I’m glad you read this post as many are just so confused after watching the film, and little be known to many that the film is sponsored by people in the vegan community. There’s more to it…. sad
Marla Aycho says
Well said Bethany! This film actually made me so angry watching it with their crazy claims about animal products ! Everyone should focus on real and clean ingredients and whole foods like you stated and they will be fine 🙂
Bethany says
Totally Agree Marla! Thanks for reading! oxox
Anna says
Thank you so much for this post. I must admit, I was a bit scared when I watched the documentary yesterday. You are absolutely right that one film cannot dictate what one should do or not. What it should teach us is to be aware of what we put in our body and what feels good or not. I’m glad you took the time to put us back to earth! Xx
Bethany says
Hi Anna,
I’m glad you read my post as so many are just confused from the documentary. Hopefully it’s helped you and I hope you share the post with others as well if they are not sure where to turn.
Candy Sparks says
I feel the same way about this film! Thanks for the blog post.
Blake says
Yes Bethany! This seemed so much as part of an agenda – especially the milk idea that it’s to poison a certain race. I guess most people don’t remember the crazy “Got Milk” phase where you couldn’t go anywhere, watch anything or read anything without seeing some celeb or athelete promote milk – to everyone. The best review I’ve seen of this documentary is this:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjVnvP5_a_VAhVl2IMKHbNUBhEQyCkIJjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DskIGCoopR-g&usg=AFQjCNHv60u3H2CgnfpH_VCLXInGMeCtLQ
Not only is it humorous, but it’s also so true. It’s a shame people will blindly follow just because it’s on TV or the media says it. We’ve stopped doing our own research. Thanks for always being a beacon of truth! 🙂
Blake says
I have no idea how that link got that way… 🙁 Fail on my part!
Bethany says
I couldn’t agree more Blake! People have totally stopped doing their own research!
Sandra Nori says
I agree wholeheartedly with you! And I do eat wild caught fish and bison and grass fed beef and venison and wild boar and…
Bethany says
Yes! It’s the source and the way things are produced these days….none of the health problems were as bad as today thousands of years ago because less things were processed…the back then, people still ate meat
Tammy S says
I agree with you 1000%!! This film was just not what I thought it would be! I only watched half of it. Had to turn it off. It only has one view! It doesn’t take in to account that each of us is different!
It is all about where the food comes from! Each of us are different! I have tried all the different diets: vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, etc!! For health reasons we all need to eat what is best for our bodies!
I have been feeling so much better since I started following you and trying your recipes! Thank you for all the tips and tricks you have taught us! You are the best!!
Bethany says
I’m so glad you’re feeling better Tammy! Just do what YOUR body needs! oxox
Ali says
Amen to that sista!!!!
Bethany says
Yea girl!
Megan regier says
I agree with this completely. I got halfway through the documentary and turned it off. I used to think all meat was bad until I realized the only thing bad about it is the way we process it. Life causes cancer but unnatural processes are what magnify those risks.
Just want to say thanks for all of your tips. I’ve been following you for almost 2 years and am finally starting to feel normal again with my IBS issues. You’re such a blessing to all of your followers❤❤
Bethany says
Right on Megan! And I am soo soo happy to hear that you are feeling better! It takes discipline, but after a while it’s quite easy and (like me) start craving just healthy unprocessed things and your body actually starts to reject all the crap we once ate! I hope you continue to heal!