Nobody likes to get played – so whatever your health goals may be (weight loss, improving energy, feeding you and the fam healthier foods), these are some of the best food documentaries that will change your life…almost immediately! (Some are old, some are new.)
Everybody has to eat.
If there are three things that are going to save your life when it comes to eating healthy, it’s: 1) educating yourself; 2) keeping an open mind; and 3) taking action.
As KRS-ONE puts it, “health is wealth,” and being conscious about what you put in your bodies, will directly impact the kind of being that you are on this planet – physically, emotionally, spiritually.
And no, it’s not about being vain and skinny.
Our food system is so intertwined and complex, that it’s your responsibility to STAY UP with what’s happening to the food that you use to fuel your mind, and heart. “Awareness is the beginning.” And although your local grocery store makes everything look perfect, colorful, and clean – there is truth behind what you put in your cart. The question is…are you aware?
But first, here are some reasons you’ve probably avoided watching food documentaries.
Back in 2008, the one thing that was pivotal in our journey as a young couple, designers, community activists, and eventually co-founders of this company – Wake the Wolves, it was watching the infamous, mind-blowing documentary, Food Inc.
This movie came out at a time when I first started to “drink the kool-aid green juice.” Seriously, I was literally reading more, shifting our shopping routine from one grocery store to 2 stores PLUS a community farmers market. I was making green smoothies (before it was cool) out of my old blender, making collard green wraps, and making nut butters from hippie recipe books (because the Internet had not blown up with beautiful blogs yet).
First me. Then Graham. Why? Because we are in this together. Here’s how it went down…
“Hey, you want to go to the movies?”
“Ok. What movie?”
“Well, there’s this documentary playing in this small theater called Food Inc. tomorrow. Can we go?”
“Do I have a choice?”
He was reluctant. I was reluctant. You may be reluctant to watch these amazingly produced and well documented movies because of these preconceived notions:
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Documentaries are boring.
No these aren’t action thrillers, but in a way they are thrillers. When you watch these movies that we recommend, we stand behind not only the message, but the story that each one tells. They are good. No, they are great! They are memorable, invigorating, and motivational. You will stand up feeling like you want to make a change.
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They are going to show scary clips of animals being slaughtered.
Yes, some of the documentaries below will show clips that will reveal inhumane treatment, but you can always close your eyes when those parts come up, OR you can actually get real with what happens to the food that hits your plate. And if that’s not reason enough, perhaps you can take the more vain approach. Stressed-out animals are making you fat!!! Want to know why? Then watch it fully.
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You don’t want to become a vegetarian.
Who says these documentaries will rule your life? You are a grown a$$ adult, fully capable of making your own decisions about how you choose to live each day (and what you put in your mouth). These films are not about going to extremes. These films are about sharing stories that expose a real world that you don’t know. The beauty is in the aftermath. How will these documentaries move you to consider your shopping routine, your cooking routine, and your consciousness about a larger community beyond yourself?
Top 3 best food documentaries that will change your life
1. FOOD INC.
Overview: Food Inc. is about the American food industries from the seeds that are planted, to how it reaches your plate. This is one of the early documentaries that spearheaded a massive movement in the United States and beyond.
Personal Takeaways: This movie immediately changed HOW we spent our money on food – from what we purchased to where we spent our dollars.
Where to find it:
Amazon Prime (FREE)
iTunes
Google Play
Vudu
2. VEGUCATED
Overview: “Vegucated follows three meat- and cheese-loving New Yorkers who agree to adopt a vegan diet for six weeks. Lured by tales of weight loss and health regained, they begin to uncover the hidden sides of animal agriculture that make them wonder whether solutions offered in films like Food, Inc. go far enough.”
Personal Takeaways: We’ve never felt so compelled to be more compassionate towards humans and animals, and pass on meat when we don’t know its source. There was one part of the movie where I stood up to get a snack and came back to Graham balling (sorry to put you on blast). It moved us to tears. The only thing we’re not a fan of, is their consumption of faux meat. It’s a heavily processed food, filled with chemicals.
Where to find it:
iTunes
Google Play
Vudu
3. A PLACE AT THE TABLE
Overview: This is a new-ish movie from the same creators as FOOD, INC., except for this film unfolds the reality about the hunger epidemic in the US. Did you know that 1 in 4 kids don’t know where their next meal is coming from? If you know the feeling of being hungry (and how difficult it is to concentrate), think about watching this film.
Personal Takeaways: As we continue on this path to eat healthy, you learn pretty quickly about the injustices of our food system and how many people (especially kids) go hungry in our own neighborhoods. Makes us think twice about how vain we our about our health and really see that we ALL deserve to eat healthy. TIP: prepare to be moved and inspired to make a difference. We already have some things in the works.
Where to find it:
Amazon Prime (FREE)
iTunes
Google Play
Vudu
Time to get over your fears and preconceived notions. If we knew that watching Food Inc. years ago, would eventually lead us to co-launch this project in collaboration with a team, we wouldn’t believe it. Life is beautiful that way.
This week, this month, this weekend – we challenge you to break out your healthy snacks, cuddle up on the couch, and kickback to a movie. We got you!
Kale. All Day. Err Day.
