“The majority of Americans are overweight, yet malnourished.”
The “inGREEDients” filmmakers recently sent me a copy of this movie. My main impression of it is that while it was done well, it may not be quite as polished as Food, Inc. or Food Fight, but it is still definitely worth seeing and sharing with those who are beginners to Real Food!
I’ll share a few sound bites with you so you get an idea of what you’ll learn (my comments in italics.):
- I love the opening phrase: “Our lives begin and end the moment we become silent about the things that matter.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
On hydrogenated oils and heart disease:
- “As a nurse, I take care of heart patients every day, why wasn’t I taught about hydrogenated oils?”
- “I wasn’t suing because trans fats make you fat, I was suing because trans fats make you dead.”
- What are hydrogenated oils? A man-made fat. Chemical solvents are used to extract the oil, it’s heated to over 400 degrees. Aluminum, nickel and cobalt are then added. The molecular structure is changed and it is no longer in its natural state. Only consume unaltered fats!
- The low fat diet that has been pushed for many years by various authorities has not served the public well.
- Fatty acids are critical for almost every step of human life. They help in our response to inflammation, our immune function, our moods, heart function, hormones, and so much more. Most of us need more Omega 3 fatty acids (found in the fat, meat & dairy from pastured animals, also in oily fish/cod liver oil), and are too high in Omega 6 from unhealthy vegetable oils. Read more in the Skinny on Fats.
- “The best fats to eat: Olive oil, coconut oil, organic butter (hot or cold), flax oil, hemp oil-cold only.” (I’m not sure about the flax and hemp oil, I haven’t looked into those much. Do any of you Real Foodies know more?) I thought it was interesting to note that none of the doctors interviewed in this film said which fats are healthy. They only spoke about the dangers of trans fats, which was good, but I was waiting and hoping for them to speak up for saturated fats!
- “A perfect storm of metabolic disaster: increase in consumption of refined sugar and flour, increase of hydrogenated vegetable oils, and lower activity levels.”
- “Even in quite small amounts trans fats could increase heart disease risk by up to 80%. This is really a toxic chemical that doesn’t belong in food supply.”
- “There were 200 heart attacks in 2007 in Cleveland, and 132 homicides. The reality is a death is a death and we’re digging our own graves with our teeth.”
- If you eat the same amount of calories in trans fat or healthy fat, those eating trans fat gain more weight. Without obesity, we wouldn’t have 3/4 of the cases of diabetes that we do now.
- The trans fat labeling law is confusing: “Everyone knows what zero means, except in Washington, zero grams of trans fat means UP TO half a gram.” Most companies lower the serving size so they can say zero.
- “If we stop buying it, they’ll stop making it.”
- Most people think the FDA protects us, but now it just protects the food manufacturers. “They’re concerned with shelf life of products, we are more concerned with shelf life of individuals.” The FDA allows 15,000 chemicals in our foods. (Is your jaw on the floor? I hope so.) An FDA employee said in the movie, “We regulate about 1/3 of the nations' economy.”
- One part I disagreed with: “We need to eat a lot more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, these should be the basis of our diet. It could save several hundred lives a year.” I believe that we eat too many grains. Our diet shouldn’t be so strongly based on them, and instead we should eat more fat, meat and dairy from pastured animals!
- Take responsibility for yourself, ask questions, read labels, cut down on restaurant visits. If you do buy processed foods, read the labels.
- If mold doesn’t grow on it, neither will you.
- Always stay away from any items that takes something natural and changes it.
On artificial sugars:
- “Artificial means not natural, you can’t fool mother nature, you’re body is going to have a reaction.”
- There may be no proof that something is harmful, but there are little clouds of doubt. The main thing is “Does it cause cancer?”, there have only been tests done by manufacturers.
- On the other side are scientists, doctors and consumer groups who say it (fake sugar) is a deadly excitotoxin that causes neurological disorders, side effects from headaches, blindness, to brain tumors. Even though it’s FDA approved, it’s the most contested approval in history. Both studies suggested that it increases the risk of certain cancers in animals.
- Biggest source of artificial sugars by far are diet sodas. There is so much data from both sides. It’s better to aim toward NOT having them in our diets.
- “Do you believe the people making it or the people who are sick from it? Keep this in mind, the artificial sweetener business is a billion dollar market and those in the industry are concerned with profit. Big tobacco said cigarettes aren’t harmful. Corporate science has always had a wait and see attitude.”
“There is enough in the world for everyone’s need but not enough for everyone’s greed.” Mahatma Ghandi
Let’s say it again: “If we stop buying it, they’ll stop making it.”
Lastly, our 11 year old loved this short film that was an extra on the DVD. A Star Wars-ish spoof called, “Grocery store wars”:
Have you seen any new Real Food movies lately?
Commenter via Facebook says
I was in a hurry when I posted earlier and would have to say that NOC is a must for any video library – it’s the best bang for your Real Foodie buck.
Commenter via Facebook says
I just showed Nourishing Our Children to our WAPF-like club. Now they want to buy a copy. We think everyone should see it!
Commenter via Facebook says
Fathead!
Commenter via Facebook says
https://www.nourishingourchildren.org/DVD.html
Commenter via Facebook says
I like Ingredients with Cast:Bebe Neuwirth, Alice Waters, Greg Higgins
Commenter via Facebook says
I’m with Amy. FatHead is a great movie.
Commenter via Facebook says
FatHead is one of my faves.
Commenter via Facebook says
Food Inc:) This one looks good too!
Roseann says
I saw Food, Inc recently….it’s really good. Gives you a glimpse of where “fake” food comes from and how it’s made. Not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure. I was appalled at some of the stuff that goes on. Totally grossed me out. Ever hear of the movie “Scared Straight”, about kids being scared into not using drugs? Well, Food, Inc. should be shown to people to “scare” them into eating better, and believe me, it will. Maybe we should rename it “Scared Real” ? LOL
Darcy says
Hi Kelly,
Our Library just purchased the DVD, Forks over knives, promoting plant-based diets. I wish to purchase a movie promoting traditional nutrition for our collection to balance our offerings. Do you know of anything?
Thank your for the work you do through your site! It is very valuable.
Carrie at NaturalMomsTalkRadio says
The movie had quite an impact on my 9 year old son. He is telling all of his little buddies about the movie. He has become an avid label reader and last time he went grocery shopping with his Grandmother, he put some items back on the shelf and didn’t tell her. 😉 (Btw, I have a “buy one get one” DVD free code on my site, link above… I interviewed the producer and he was kind enough to offer that.)
Musings of a Housewife says
Haven’t heard of this movie, but I love this:
Pure Mothers says
I want to see it. Just watched “Dirt” with my mom. Shameful what “we’ve” done to our planet – but hopeful we can restore that top layer of vital soil. Was a nice reminder that we are the soil.
About the oils. I believe high heat destroys some of the oils properties. (Like light – that’s why it’s best to buy oils in dark glass or tins) Coconut oil and butter I reserve for high heating. Olive oil I will warm a little and hemp and flax are best on salads or smoothies (cold or room temp, so to speak).
Rebecca in Michigan says
Thank you for the links. I did go to you tube before you replied and found it. My son, almost 8, was looking for star war clips the other day and found it. Today he was on you tube and was watching other kind of food clips, like matrix or something like it. They are some very cool ones out there.
Jeanmarie says
Lots of great quotes, and I’m loving the video!
Christy says
I love the Grocery Store Wars! We laughed and laughed when we saw it. Looking forward to watching this video.
jeanne says
Love the lines:
“If we stop buying it, they’ll stop making it.”
and my favorite:
“If mold doesn’t grow on it, neither will you.”
I will be using that one lots around my teenagers!
Shannon says
It’s a shame this movie isn’t on Netflix 🙁
Jenetta says
Rebecca-
https://www.green.tv/store_wars
or just Google it, I saw several links on utube.
-jenetta
Soli @ I Believe in Butter says
Interestingly this also ties in with some things discussed in this radio program yesterday. One thing mentioned by one of the guests: overcooking meat increases carcinogens.
Rebecca in Michigan says
Do you have a link for that clip. I thought it would be great to post it on my facebook.
KitchenKop says
Just google “YouTube grocery store wars.” 🙂
Good idea. I’ll go do that, too.
Amy says
can I borrow the greed dvd?
The store wars was funny! Thanks for sharing.
Peace and blessings,
Amy
KitchenKop says
Yes! Remind me, though, or send the kids over for it.