I'm officially adding another movie to my list of films that can help you to become a more mindful eater (see previous blog article). It's a documentary called Forks Over Knives that was recently released in NYC, LA and various other cities. You may have seen a clip of it on the Dr. Oz T.V. show. In a nutshell, Forks Over Knives is about two doctors, Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Esselstyn, who are advocating a plant based diet (similar to vegan). Whether you agree or totally disagree with the message of this movie, it may get you to start thinking critically about what you eat and how it impacts your health.
I invited a tough critic to review this film with me. Let's just call him "John." John is extremely attached to his BBQ grill, owns his own meat smoker and is an amateur connoisseur of steak. I knew if there was going to be a tough sell, this man would be it. Giving up meat, or any food for that matter, is the last thing on his mind. The only information I gave him about the film he was going to watch was "it's about food."
I was prepared for the film's provocative message. I had the good fortune of meeting Dr. Esselstyn in person. I was struck by his passion for his work. I attended one of the lectures he gives across the country about his research and book for my job.
The film, Forks Over Knives, is filled with statistics and research. The information they present suggests that what you eat, particularly the amount of protein, dairy, and oil, dramatically impacts your health. Critics of this approach indicate that the research may be presenting one side of the debate and is skewed. It's always important to examine research critically. There is another concern that was not mentioned in this movie but is an issue for professionals who treat eating disorders. For some people, eating plans that restrict particular types of foods or food groups can lead people to become obsessive. This can trigger disordered eating and eating disorders, which also jeopardize your health.
What's the benefit of this diet? This movie indicates that a plant based diet can decrease your risk of cancer significantly and can get you off all kinds of medications. You see examples of individuals who stop needing medications after a very short period of time. A famous advocate of eating this way is Bill Clinton, among many others (click to see video). The relationship between health and food is not a new idea. As Hippocrates, the father of medicine, said in 460 BC, "Let food be thy medicine." Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Esselstyn indicate that 70-80 percent of the health care budget could be reduced simply by changing the way we eat.
Unfortunately, documentaries are often seen by a select group. It's likely that you would decide to see this film if you were already interested in the topic. Therefore, these movie goers are probably already open to the idea of improving their eating habits. The message needs to spread farther than this group.
If national change is to happen to our diet, we have to get people talking about it. Here is an idea. Turn this film into a Hollywood film. Cast a young Dr. Campbell as a Hollywood actor (Greg Kinnear or Matt Damon perhaps?) and tell his story. The documentary stated that Dr. Campbell allegedly was blackballed from Cornell for his ideas and research that went counter to many of the school's food industry ties. Let both sides tell their version of the story. Would it be controversial? Definitely. But, would this get us finally talking about what we eat in a new way? Stop the diet talk and start talking about health. Let's put it up for debate.
What did John, the meat eater, think of the film? "I never thought of it this way," he said as the movie ended. He wasn't ready to give up meat and dairy but was sold on being more attentive and mindful of what he eats. He was impressed that these two doctors in their seventies were running, biking and looking great. John was still thinking about the movie the next day. He reported ordering spinach in his omelet instead of bacon.
There are lots of different ways to eat to improve your health. A plant based diet is just one approach. Be sure to talk to your doctor and a dietitian about the pros and cons of your current eating plan. Work together to determine what would be best for you. What is ultimately important is the overall message: it is time to begin to be more mindful of what, why and how you are eating for your health and well-being.
Susan Albers, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in eating issues, weight loss, body image concerns, and mindfulness. She is the author of 50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food, Eating Mindfully, Eat, Drink, and Be Mindful, and Mindful Eating 101 and is a Huffington Post and Psychology Today blogger. Her books have been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, O, the Oprah Magazine, Natural Health, Self Magazine and on the Dr. Oz TV show. Visit Albers online at http://www.eatingmindfully.com.
Tim Harlan, M.D.: The Key To Successful Weight Loss: Planning
this incredibly needed discussion is a messy one. we need to wade through our right-fighting and try not to trip on one another's opinions so that we can move this ball up the field towards the goal of better health of better eating for all.
It's not fasting for days or weeks. (unless you choose to)
It's taking several hours between meals with no snacking. It doesn't put your body in a starvation mode and it doesn't slow down ones metabolism.
Google" intermittent fasting" or "eat, stop eat" to learn more.
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I have been thinking critically about how I eat for several years now, and I'm glad you included Harriet Hall's post to represent those who believe Campbell and Esselstyn data are cherry-picked and agenda-driven. I'd include this lay-person's critique of Campbell as being essential to the discussion as well: http://rawfoodsos.com/the-china-study/.
There is certainly plenty of room for common ground -- those who support sustainable ag (grass-fed and pastured livestock and dairy, local organic family farms) and the FoK folks are both against CAFOs; we both support inclusion of plenty of vegetables, although the grass-fed beef contingent will advocate dietary diversity by having a steak with theirs -- but the fact remains that even if most of the ends advocated are good, driving them with bad science and demonizing legitimately healthful dietary options weakens the case.
The China Project (aka 'The China Study') is an epidemiological study. You can't prove causality with an epidemiological study. All you can do is look for correlations that may or may not warrant further research. The fact that Dr. Campbell claimed the China Project proved meat and dairy foods had a causal relationship to certain diseases suggests he is either incompetent or dishonest. I suspect that it may be the latter since many of the correlations in the China Project don't support his claims, but either way both are sufficient grounds for Cornell to blackball him.
By the way, my father is 79. He still lifts weights, runs twenty miles a day and dances the ballet. He also eats plenty of meat, eggs and dairy.
Have you read the book?
By the way, today's generation will be the first that will not outlive their parents.
The China Study Revisited: New Analysis Of Raw Data Doesn't Support Vegetarian Ideology
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=6092
The China Study vs. the China study
http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/cancer/the-china-study-vs-the-china-study/
The Truth About The China Study
http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/China-Study.html
And from Debra Minger...
The China Study - Fact or Fallacy
http://rawfoodsos.com/2010/07/07/the-china-study-fact-or-fallac/
A Closer Look at the China Study - Dairy and Disease
http://rawfoodsos.com/2010/06/20/a-closer-look-at-the-china-study-dairy-and-disease/
The China Study - A Formal Analysis and Response
http://rawfoodsos.com/2010/08/06/final-china-study-response-html/
The China Study, Wheat and Heart Disease
http://rawfoodsos.com/2010/09/02/the-china-study-wheat-and-heart-disease-oh-my/
The China Study - A Response to Campbell
http://rawfoodsos.com/2010/07/16/the-china-study-my-response-to-campbell/
(cont.)
This is the first I've heard that Cornell blackballed Campbell as well. According to the article this claim was made in the film. ("The documentary stated that Dr. Campbell allegedly was blackballed from Cornell for his ideas and research that went counter to many of the school's food industry ties.")
Have I read the book? I tried but couldn't make it past the first few chapters because I have a low tolerance for nonsense. Besides, only 40 of the book's 300 plus pages actually deal with the China study.
Also, I'm not sure what your last sentence has to do with this subject. The obesity rate among children is due to all the processed carbs and carbonated sugar water their parents are feeding them. It's not because they're eating dairy, eggs or meat.
The China Study by T. Colin Campbell was a book published by a man with an agenda, not an unbiased scientist just going where truth takes him. The information in this book has not been subjected to reviews by his peers and is chock full of assumptions and generally questionable science. Anyone who sees this film and thinks he might need to run home and throw away all his food should first take a look at some reviews of the book that plays such a big role in this film -- http://rawfoodsos.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/minger_formal_response2.pdf, http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=385, http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=6092. These are not the only ones out there who disagree, either. Please make sure to do your research before making life altering decisions.
I just advised people not to take as gospel the message in the film, the same thing the author of this review does.
Ms. Minger is one of two people I referenced. Perhaps you should check out Harriet A. Hall, MD (also referenced by the author) and let us all know what is wrong with her (other than the obvious problem of not endorsing Campbell). There are plenty of other folks on the web who have also been dismantling the conclusions Campbell comes to in his book.
Funny how there were many researchers involved in the China Project, but he chose to write his book with none of them, only his son, someone with barely more education than Ms. Minger. Maybe because his conclusions were foregone and the other researchers wouldn't participate? So hard to say...
Cheers
Why does it matter if she's 23 and doesn't have a college degree, if her analysis is correct?