Food Choices

Food Choices is a groundbreaking documentary from 2016 that explores the profound implications our food choices have on our health, the health of our planet, and the lives of other living species. This film features interviews with renowned experts in the fields of medicine, nutrition, and health, like T. Colin Campbell, Joe Cross, and Pam Popper, among others.

The film begins by questioning the belief of consuming animal products as a necessity for optimal health. Award-winning filmmaker Michal Siewierski embarks on a three-year journey across America and the globe, casting a new light on the consequences of eating habits on health, and how the food we eat impacts other life on Earth. The documentary seeks to expose the dubious practices of the mass food production industry and create an understanding of the detrimental effects of these foods on global health.

Featured in Food Choices is Dr. T. Colin Campbell, an American biochemist whose advocacy of a low-fat, whole food, plant-based diet has gained recognition through his research on the China study. Another key personality, Pam Popper, is the founder of Wellness Forum Health and known internationally for her views on nutrition and health. They, along with other experts, challenge some of the dietary myths revolving around animal-based foods that have pervaded society for years.

The film exposes the faulty "protein myth," which posits that animal proteins are the premier source of protein and necessary for good health. In contrast, the experts elucidate that a plant-based diet can meet all our nutritional needs, including protein, and can potentially either prevent or reverse several chronic ailments, such as heart diseases and diabetes.

More than just focusing on human health, Food Choices also looks at the environmental effects of our food choices. It links the heavy exploitation of natural resources to elaborate agricultural practices and the mass production of animal products. It investigates how these unsustainable practices contribute to global warming through deforestation, species extinction, and habitat loss.

The film delves into the influence of the food industry on governmental dietary guidelines and policies, revealing how marketing strategies prioritize profits over consumer health. To the viewer, it appears that questions around why certain dietary habits are promoted over others become apparent: Is it because they are healthy or because they align with financial interests?

What makes Food Choices remarkable is its attempt to suggest a cruelty-free lifestyle. The film underlines the ethical implications of food choices as it investigates the practices of the animal agriculture industry. There is an interesting discourse regarding the moral facets of consuming animal products when alternatives are available that cause less harm.

Furthermore, the film leaves no stone unturned to bust myths about soy products and gluten, offers insights on how to read labels and watch out for "health-washed" products, and emphasizes the importance of buying local, organic foods. It also counters popular weight-loss advice, making a compelling case for lifestyle changes rather than fad diets for sustainable health and wellness.

Joe Cross, an Australian entrepreneur and wellness advocate, shares his experiences with juice fasting, providing an additional perspective on ways to achieve health objectives. His journey of getting off medication for a chronic illness by changing his diet adds further proof against the notion that health is entirely determined by one's genes.

Visually, the film is a treat. It’s well-edited and engaging, featuring various locations across the globe from medical research centres to organic farms. The crucial issues dealt with in the film are clearly and simply explained, making complex concepts accessible to viewers.

Food Choices is an educational and thought-provoking film that seeks not just to present the problems but also empowers the viewers with potential solutions. It shows us that, with every meal, we have the opportunity to make positive changes for our health, the environment, and other living beings. Whether you are a health enthusiast or someone looking to understand more about diet and its effects, this movie is filled with invaluable insights that urge you to make more informed food choices.