The New York Times released an article recently highlighting changes in American eating habits. Americans have been eating less meat every year for the past 20 years, but the sharpest drop has come in the past five years. This is due to increased health and environmental concerns, more people identifying as vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian (people who consume small quantities of meat) and increased awareness of animal rights.
Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead is one of many films and books that brought the politics of food into the mainstream. Films like Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, Super-Size Me, and Fast Food Inc. (based of the book of the same title) highlight the negative effects our food choices can have on our bodies, our communities, and our planet. Many people who watch documentaries online saw these films. Books like In Defense of Food by Michal Pollan and Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer also implore people to think before they eat.
Much like the smash hit Super-Size Me, Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead uses the personal journey of the filmmaker to explore issues associated with food politics. Although light hearted both films touch on some very serious issues. Watch documentaries online to learn more.
