At the start of this Spring semester, I was assigned to write an argumentative essay on whether a vegan diet or a standard American diet was better. From the get-go, I had a preconceived belief that a vegan diet would be more beneficial. For what reasons? I had no idea.
In order to write this paper effectively, I had to do a LOT of research. After days of reading scientific studies, journal articles, and website posts, I came across "What The Health", a Netflix documentary that uncovered the ugly truths of a standard American diet.
Let me tell you, they were ugly.
As I started watching this documentary, I felt strongly that despite what I was about to learn, it wouldn't change my personal eating habits. I was wrong. As the documentary carried on, I was blown away by how much false information we are being fed through sources that we should be able to trust.
Popular associations like The American Heart Association and Susan G. Komen are famous for their efforts in fighting common diseases and illnesses like heart disease and breast cancer. Before I tell you what they are doing wrong, let me explain some background information.
The documentary interviewed credible doctors who inform the audience that red meats are one of the worst foods to eat to prevent heart issues. The American Heart Association literally lists recipes featuring red meats as heart-healthy meals.
So, why are they doing this?
Big meat and dairy corporations are paying big bucks to get their products advertised. They are bribing government officials to keep these foods legally considered healthy and an important part of the standard American diet. School cafeterias are serving milk and hanging "Got Milk?" posters in their cafeterias.
Why? They are getting paid.
After watching the full documentary I am a firm believer that meat and dairy do NOT need to be a part of a healthy diet. It's up to you what you choose to include and exclude from your diet. One thing you do need to do, though, is watch this documentary.
