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“What The Health” – A Fitness and Food Blogger’s thoughts

  • August 18, 2017
  • By Carly Neave

The Netflix documentary that has everyone talking at the moment – “What the Health” – is causing quite a stir, and not necessarily all for good reason. I watched it at the start of summer, about 6 weeks ago and have definitely made some changes in my life because of it.

I thought I’d share with you my frank thoughts on the documentary and why I’ve chosen to adopt some practices they have, and also haven’t advocated. I know a lot of people are feeling that they simply don’t know what or who to listen to anymore in terms of right and wrong in nutrition, so let me take this opportunity to say the following;

First and foremost, I’m in the same boat as you in many respects in terms of seeking out the ‘best’ way forward. However, I’m doing my due diligence to work out what I personally believe is best for my body and health. I always take into account what people have to say but make up my own mind on a subject, which brings me onto my second point …

I am not a qualified nutritionist (although even if I was, I’d still feel comfortable clarifying this with today’s spread of qualifications) and therefore I’m simply expressing my personal views about what I feel is the right way to eat. I am by no means degrading others who walk different paths, and infact, I invite your comments as we can all potentially learn something … I am simply outlining what I go by.

SO, without further ado, here goes!

What is ‘What the Health” about?

It is a short film advocating being vegan, and associates many of our health problems and diseases with the consumption of animal products. It talks about a somewhat corrupt industry between food organisations and health groups and highlights some worrying agriculture and farming practices.

A few things to raise 

The documentary has been slammed by numerous people, predominately because they’ve claimed it’s incredibly biased in both the information it shares and the people who feature in it, most of whom are supposedly vegan themselves. Percentages on health risks and effects of eating meat are frequently taken out of context and / or exaggerated. These are often the bite-sized pieces of information that we take home and scare us into cutting out whole food groups. Claims such as “Eating one egg a day is as bad as smoking five cigarettes a day” seem like total rubbish and represents fear-mongering at it’s finest. Put simply, it is pretty far from an even-sided review of our current world-wide health problems and their causes – and for that, I do share some of the same feelings as those wholly against the documentary.

On the flip side, Veganism is something I know far less about so whilst one certainly does have to watch themselves in getting sucked into everything the documentary throws at you, it did without a doubt open up my eyes to at least the potential risks of eating animal products, especially ones that come from the poorest of sources.

Sugar. This was probably the biggest question mark for me in “What The Health”. On a few occasions the professionals more than strongly suggest that sugar is not nearly as much of the demon as has recently come to light; and when you compare the effects of sugar to animal protein and products, to say it was elevated to healthy level would be an overstatement, but I can’t say it was a million miles off!

Given all the research that has come out about sugar, in particular association with diabetes, and most importantly – the effect I’ve found it to have on my personal health and fat gain / loss; I really do struggle with the suggestion that sugar is not strongly related to prevailing diseases today and that the sole (main) cause is in fact animal protein. I would actually say it was a rather careless and potentially damaging account of sugars role in our current health problems.

“It also talks about foods such as eggs (quoted above) and in particular their yolk; being a ‘disaster’ for high cholesterol levels and heart disease. I’m not sure about anyone else but I have eaten eggs for countless years, 3+ times per week and my LDL (Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, aka, the ‘bad’ stuff) is incredibly low whilst my HDL (High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, aka, the “good” cholesterol) is high. I’m obviously not suggesting for one second that my good cholesterol levels are down to the fact I eat eggs – It just worries me that people could potentially watch the documentary and be scared off egg yolks for life because of what one doctor said. It’s about moderation and picking better choices. I don’t choose to eat bacon with all its fat and processed glory once a week for example – or rather incredibly rarely to be honest but eggs? Yes, sir.

The Positives

As mentioned above, the film drew some really interesting (and rather worrying) connections about unethical relationships between food manufacturers and health organisations. Food manufacturers that are creating the very products we should be advising people to eat significantly less of, or avoid as a whole, are some of the main sponsors for the American Diabetes Association and others alike. I don’t know how much this has developed since the documentary was broadcast but it’s something that certainly needs to be addressed if it is as it says in the programme.

I’m going to summarise with this positive, because I feel like it’s the most important one for me personally after watching “What The Health”.

Despite it quite plainly being a biased documentary – I still really appreciated it.

Why?

Because quite frankly, it opened up my eyes to both the moral side of consuming animal protein and the health benefits of leading a more plant based diet … Note, I didn’t say the ‘serious health risks associated with eating meat’. I don’t think the documentary was all-rounded enough to trust 100% of the facts and figures thrown at me, (that’s for my own research another time), but I do feel like it certainly made me aware of some of the potential risks, and rather obvious benefits of eating more plants and less meat day to day!

Have I changed my diet since “What The Health”.

Yes, I have.

With a rather copious amount of uncertainty surrounding the topics mentioned above, and definitely the moral and planet-wide issues we have in this day and age … I feel eating less meat and more vegetables can only be beneficial for my health and our world.

I will eat meat again, at some point I’m sure, but it will be a far rarer occasion than what it was. Most importantly, I will pay MUCH more attention to where that meat comes from, how it was treated and what the animals’ life was like before hand. Some vegans may suggest that’s hypocritical, to say that I’m making an effort to care more the animal’s wellbeing and our planet, yet I will still choose to eat meat on occasion.

I don’t see it like that.

I believe I am doing my part, doing what I can, and making an informed effort to do better than I have done before. Health wise, I have always eaten organic, since a child in fact, but I know there is a bigger picture to that. I also really, truly believe in moderation and balance. If I said no to ever consuming meat, fish, diary or any other animal products – my personal enjoyment in food, in cooking, in socialising and no exaggeration, in life –  I believe would be diminished to some degree. I’m not prepared, nor do I think there is enough supporting evidence to suggest that all of the above are ‘catastrophic’ for our wellbeing.

I believe there are inevitable benefits to cutting down our meat consumption and increasing our vegetable dependancy, so that’s what I’ve chosen and that’s the promise I have made to myself…

To follow much more of a plant-based lifestyle, with a focus on significantly decreasing my red and white meat intake and really importantly, to be much more concerned for the wellbeing of our animals and this planet that we call home. I believe there is a balance to be achieved, and a happy one at that!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope I’ve clearly and fairly written down my thoughts on a documentary, that whilst is far from perfect or unbiased, is one that I feel has made somewhat of a positive impact on my thinking.

Have you watched the film yourself? What were your thoughts? Has it made an impact on your diet?

I know a lot of people have really strong feelings towards it, both negative and positive so please do share them below!

LLG x

By Carly Neave, August 18, 2017 Hello and welcome! I'm Carly, originally from London but currently enjoying a little adventure in Dubai. A travel and wellness blogger exploring the world one step at a time. Think fabulous food at undiscovered gems, unique destinations, skin care obsessions and so much more. This is my life, I hope you enjoy the ride!
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9 Comments
  • Ashley
    August 30, 2017

    Me and my son (13) watched the documentary and we are from NC living in Dubai. We decided to try vegan for 3 weeks. Start small. My husband is a big meat eater and thinks we are crazy. We actually live in rak and I have already been feeding multiple friends vegan since we moved here so it wasn’t too hard to transition for me. My son is adamant on staying vegan the rest of his life now and I will probably incorporate eggs when I can find a local person with fresh eggs where I can see how they’re kept and fed or I will get my own chickens like we had in the states. I will probably bring fish back in as we fish for mahi in Fujairah often. I’m just not sure yet. Your blog makes sense and I appreciate reading your blogs often! There’s really some great vegan places in Dubai! Have you been to organic cafe for their pumpkin curry and brown rice?! I drive to Dubai just for that! ❤️

    • Lean Living Girl
      October 19, 2017

      Hi Ashley!

      I have only just seen this comment – SO sorry for the late reply!

      Really appreciate the comment and feedback and glad to know you like the blog :) Funnily enough, the more I ask the question the more the places that pop up and I do have a few favourites like Wild and The Moon. Haven’t tried the pumpkin curry at the organic cafe though – I shall do that for sure! I think that hardest thing is when you are meeting friends for a dinner in a ‘regular’ restaurant and having a lack of vegan options on the normal menus as it were. Eating vegan at home or dedicated healthy restaurants is certainly getting easier which is great! I’m still not covered by my meat intake must have reduced by at least 90% I would say! I eat a lot more veg and fish now then I ever did and pay much more attention to where my red and white meat are coming from – I find it very hard to order them off a menu now unless I know the quality.

      Thanks again for the comment and I’m very impressed by your sons dedication at just 13 – I know this may sound silly but I tend to find Americans have that real gusto in them – you should be proud of him! xx

  • Gavin Ross
    August 20, 2017

    Hey!!
    I’m really glad you took time to talk about this, it’s such a hot topic Just now.
    I don’t agree with everything you say though. I turned vegan 2 years ago, after eating meat and fish solidly for 27 years. No affect to my health, only benefits actually. Sleep better, more drive, more controlled, less mood swings, and most importantly, more conscious about what I’m eating. I can be more creative with my cooking, which is super cool, finding out more ingredients I never knew excited.
    My social life has taken no hits whatsoever.
    I work in the hospitality industry and pretty much all restaurants cater for vegans and some of the food is so cool and creative.
    I have also lost all that guilt of what all the animals have to go through, Just because I’m hungry. Call it organic, call it whatever you want it’s still the same thing.
    I honestly believe you should give the vegan thing a go, nothing to lose and see what it brings. I’m no preacher but I fully believe in what I stand for and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
    Thank you for your time and for allowing my comments
    ✌️🌿

    • Lean Living Girl
      August 30, 2017

      Hey Gavin,

      Thanks so much for your insightful reply! Always welcome comments that aim to offer some advice :)

      I think the effects you’ve experienced from going vegan are without a doubt hugely beneficial and I have heard similar stories time and time again I must admit! We have to remember that talking from a health perspective only – all bodies are different and react to foods in unique ways – some thrive off plant based / vegan, some do thrive off other diets. The guilt side of things is certainly an aspect for me since watching the documentary and we can all be significantly more aware of the effects of our diets on animals and the planet.

      For me personally, I did go vegan for a few weeks post-documentary to try it as you say, and carried on with no red or white meat for about a month but my cravings for fish were certainly there and I guess my will-power to stay clear of all dairy wasn’t strong enough. Although, again, I have definitely reduced my intake of it.

      I’m not sure where you’re based but at least in Dubai where I spend much of my time, the vegan options are extremely limited. London much less so of course. Getting creative with plant-based recipes is yummy and fun, as you may have seen I’ve shared a fair few recipes recently based around that ethos, but I can’t say it’s the only route I will personally go.

      Thanks again for getting involved!

      Carly

  • Megan
    August 20, 2017

    Very well balanced and reflects my own thoughts towards the documentary. I am a communications professional and couldn’t have written it better. Well done. We are also on the less meat, more veggie bandwagon now and loving it xx

    • Lean Living Girl
      August 20, 2017

      Thanks Megan, I appreciate that! I think we would be silly to ignore everything in the documentary, it’s just a shame it wasn’t a more even-keeled piece. Ultimately, it’s how our body’s feel and that’s the best test for knowing what is right for you x

  • Jordy
    August 19, 2017

    Great article Carly. Well balanced, interesting read and I agree with much of what you’ve said. Love you x

    • Lean Living Girl
      August 20, 2017

      Thank you! I know you’ve personally turned vegan since the documentary but hope you appreciate the other side of things too and recognise some potential floors in the film itself. With that said, thank you for making such a positive impact on our world and I think we certainly all have something to learn! xx

Carly Neave

Hello and welcome! I'm Carly, originally from London but currently enjoying a little adventure in Dubai. A travel and wellness blogger exploring the world one step at a time. Think fabulous food at undiscovered gems, unique destinations, skin care obsessions and so much more. This is my life, I hope you enjoy the ride!

About Me
Hi, I'm Carly!
A travel and wellness blogger exploring the world one step at a time. Think fabulous food at undiscovered gems, unique destinations, skin care obsessions and so much more. This is my life, I hope you enjoy the ride!
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