Last weekend we watched the latest nutrition-related documentary on Netflix called What the Health. By now, you’ve probably seen or heard of it—it’s all over the place.
I’ll share my thoughts on the film, but first, a little background.
When I began my blog in 2012—then called foodiecology—I was obsessed with nutrition and food. I’d read Mark Bittman’s Food Matters* and basically everything written by Michael Pollan.
I watched Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, Forks Over Knives, Food, Inc. and numerous other documentaries, and I was inspired to change my way of eating and consuming—because, even now, as an unapologetic omnivore, I believe that a plant-based diet is incredibly healthy and that eating less meat is crucial to combatting some of the detrimental environmental effects that factory farming and monoculture have wreaked on our planet.
And, yet, I’m so glad this film didn’t come out years ago, when I was more naïve and easily-swayed.
What the Health: My Thoughts
During the first few minutes of the film, I felt icky.
By 20 minutes, I was angry and cursing at the TV (mostly in my head, but still…).
What was with the “gotcha” journalism?
Where was the compassion? The second side of the story?
Are they really telling people that meat causes cancer and that eating one effing egg is the equivalent to smoking 5 cigarettes?
WTF are they smoking?!!!
Now, I’m not a dietician or a doctor—not even close—but I like to think I have a decent “layperson” understanding of nutrition.
I understand that the quality of the foods we eat—not just the quantity—affects our weight, propensity to develop diseases, and our overall wellbeing.
I am aware that a diet high in processed foods, sodium, sugar, and saturated fat is problematic.
And I feel my personal best when I limit sugary foods and fill my plate with lots of vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains.
I have no problem with veganism. In fact, after reading the phenomenal storytelling and the delicate marriage of logic and ethics in Jonathan Safran Foer’s Eating Animals*, I can’t provide a cogent argument against veganism.
What is do have a problem with is bullying and manipulating facts—in such a blatantly propagandizing way.
Kip Anderson, the filmmaker and narrator, essentially admits he’s a hypochondriac willing to jump on any old health-centric wagon. Instead of presenting the facts and arriving at a conclusion, he cherry-picks studies and manipulates statistics—while interviewing Dr. Esselstyn and other well-known vegan doctors—to prop up his claim, which is, in a nutshell, “meat causes diabetes and cancer.”
These are the issues I personally had with What The Health.
Meat/eggs/dairy are simply not more dangerous than cigarettes
Yes, meat is a carcinogen. But so are coffee and tea. Anybody can take any study or statistic and twist it into a cause of cancer. Look at all studies and scrutinize them before becoming alarmist.
Stopping medications—particularly antidepressants—after a two-week dietary change is irresponsible
Is the US an overmedicated society? Absolutely. But it’s irresponsible journalism to suggest that a vegan diet can be a cure-all for every health ailment, and I hope to goodness that the woman who stopped her numerous medications after switching to a plant-based diet consulted her doctor before doing so!
Nutrition science is constantly changing
Self-explanatory, and the filmmakers don’t seem to take this into account.
Despite the issues I had, What The Health did present some important truths.
We eat far too much processed food
I absolutely believe that the SAD (Standard American Diet) has contributed to our high rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diseases—and over-processed foods are to blame. However, demonizing food and discouraging folks who are doing the best they can with what they have isn’t the answer.
We need to practice preventative medicine
Instead of eating processed foods with abandon and avoiding exercise like the plague, we should advocate for ourselves and take back our health. It’s more expensive and painful to treat ailments than it is to make the lifestyle changes that could prevent them.
It is concerning when Big Industry and Big Agriculture fund their own studies and guidelines
We need more transparency in government and business. The beef industry funding the American Heart Association is certainly questionable, and there are too many business interests at play.
Factory farming is a large contributor to climate change—and we need to make changes
Animals in factory farms are treated terribly and emissions from factory farms are damaging the ecosystem. It does become a human rights issue to people of color and people living in poverty whose communities are surrounded by these factory farms, so I’m glad the film shed some light on that.
I guess the bottom line is: be informed and take anything promoting an obvious agenda as only half the story.
If this film leads you to make positive dietary changes, that’s amazing. But I urge you to question any science or nutrition recommendation that is presented as gospel, including What the Health.
Some thoughts on #WhatTheHealth – and why you should be informed! #TOL #nutrition Share on X*affiliate link
[linking up with Amanda for thinking out loud]
So tell me…
- Have you watched What the Health?
- If so, what are your thoughts?
- What is your biggest pet peeve about the diet/medical/agricultural industry?
I haven’t watched WTH, but it was on my list because so many people had raved about it. I still think I’ll watch eventually, but with a little more skepticism now.
I feel like it’s hard to get good solid evidence that any of these “good diets” are better than others, because there are so many other factors. Okay, so someone eats a vegan diet, and never gets sick or gets cancer. Another someone eats meat and gets cancer. Does meat cause cancer in this scenario? Probably not. There are all sorts of predispositions that we just cannot see.
I appreciate the review, especially coming from someone who like you said has a decent understanding of these things already.
You definitely should watch and formulate your own opinion – I think I may have been a little harsh, but then again, Ive read and watched more compassionate books/films that had similar – but more well received – messages.
I think most of us agree on the basics – too much processed or sugary or fatty food is bad, but some of us do better with meat or on a vegan diet. It’s just not black and white! 🙂
I have really appreciated ‘What the Health’ reviews from people like you that I respect their opinions; I watched the trailer last night, and I was impressed at how dramatic it was. I 100% agree that factory farming is NOT a good or sustainable or kind thing to animals or to the people consuming the food. The last few years we’ve had more of an opportunity to support a local family farm, and I’m so thankful for that option. And I do like processed food, but I have to say that I really don’t want to eat it all the time, because whole foods are probably the easiest on my digestive system.
Thanks, Emily! I’m glad to hear I’m not in the minority- but I’d definitely like to hear somebody like Robyn’s or Alexis’ view of the film. I think that’s incredible you’re able to support a small local farm. And I’m with you on Whole Foods being better on digestion – much of typical fast food makes me physically sick these days!
Wow this movie does not sound good lol. I’ve heard of it but haven’t got around to watching it. I don’t like how media portrays diet as so black and white. I think that has to be my biggest pet peeve. And the fact they never emphasize balance!!
LOL. I think I was a little aggravated when I write my review, but then again, I still feel like it wasn’t as balanced as it could’ve been. Some good messages were in there, but it seemed like the perfect orthorexia fuel to me!
I haven’t watched it and probably won’t. I don’t deal well with stuff like that. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t even make it through the whole thing. haha. I’ve heard enough to know that it would make me mad. Your assessment is the same from some other people that I trust so I just have to thank you guys for taking one for the team (ha!) and then sharing honestly about it! <3
Haha, glad I could do the favor 😉
I think it made some valid points – our food industry is messed up – but it just seemed too harsh and one sided for me.
Have you watched Kip’s other film Cowspiracy? I was really intrigued by your review and I totally respect each person’s reaction and opinion to the film. As a fitness professional who travels around the country preparing other future fitness professionals for their career, as someone who teaches wellness at the college level, and as a mom of two young boys I felt that this film represented the base of knowledge that I try to give to others in a very easy to watch and understand way. I think all films are one sided, just like the studies funded by lobbyists for the food industry. The idea is to see what everyone is presenting and then decide what fits best into your life. I wrote a post about the changes we have made at our house since watching this movie (my kids and I are snacking on bing cherries as I write, when it normally would’ve been chips, crackers, or cheese sticks). We didn’t go totally vegan and there are even vegans that eat a lot of processed crap and therefore do nothing great for their bodies. As a fitness professional I think you need to be aware of where the “Science” behind things like paleo diets and Lean Cuisine and the pharma industry are coming from. People with financial interests in making sure you purchase more of their product and/or become dependent upon it. I have a friend who used to work in the food industry who let me in on a few secrets about how food is “Designed”. If scare tactics are what it takes to wake everyone up, then, by all means….use them! I am going to try the logical approach in my teaching, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the way they presented the movie.
I haven’t watched Cowspiracy – but I’m sure it would provide even more insight.
I totally don’t disagree with your points and respect where you’re coming from, too – I think the food industry is SO deceptive and, while I haven’t read the book “Salt Sugar Fat” or whatever it’s called, I realize that the processed food industry is basically using consumers as a big science experiment.
I guess my big issues were the “gotcha journalism.” Like of course the receptionist can’t answer your questions about dietary guidelines! Also, I think it’s misinformation to equate a single egg to cigarettes. I mean, your right that some consumers probably do need that slap in the face, rude awakening to make better choices, but I guess the average consumer doesn’t.
I think about families in food deserts (I live in the south and there are lots of food deserts – and obesity/disease – here) who really don’t have access to super healthy foods. I mean, yes, with proper education they could do much better, but if you’re barely able to afford dinner for your family, you’re probably going for the unhealthy boxed meal rather than fresh produce – even though you and I know that unprocessed food CAN be inexpensive and satiating.
Anyway, thank you for commenting and sharing – I worry about my family’s food choices, too, since my son is THE pickiest eater alive LOL. I think we agree on more than we disagree and I give you props for being so committed to your family’s health and your clients’.