Going stir crazy and looking for something new to watch? With my list of recommended plant based diet documentaries, I’ve got you covered 😊
The End Of Meat, 2017
Addresses the detrimental effects on the environment caused by the meat and dairy industry. Provides startling statistics and substantial evidence why the heavy meat consumption of the traditional Western diet is destroying our planet.
Also, The End of Meat highlights the growing technology of non GMO lab grown meat. It is quite fascinating 😳
View The End of Meat on Amazon Prime Video (with Amazon Prime membership), Vudu, Microsoft, Vimeo, and Playstation; rent from Redbox, or rent or buy on iTunes.
Foods That Cure Disease, 2018
Tackles subjects such as nutritional and health benefits when eating a plant based diet, our taste buds’ ability to change, and the corrupting influence of commercial interests.
The filmmaker also performs plant-based cooking demonstrations (which is why this documentary is so long.)
Watch Foods That Cure Disease on Amazon Prime Video.
Forks Over Knives, 2011
One of my favorite documentaries promoting a plant based diet. Examines topics such as food’s role in cancer and chronic diseases, what causes us to overeat and gain weight, and why foods are addicting. Very educational and captivating!
Prominent plant based diet advocates featured in Forks Over Knives include Dr. Esselstyn, Dr. Campbell, Dr. McDougall, and Dr. Barnard.
See Forks Over Knives on Netflix (with subscription), or rent or buy on iTunes and the Forks Over Knives website.
The Game Changers, 2018
This documentary was “the final straw” so to speak in my husband and my decision to fully convert to a vegan diet. Highlights a number of vegan athletes, and chronicles their successes while maintaining a plant based diet.
Small experiments are conducted specifically for this film. With dramatic results, I know many people who were shaken by the outcomes. Including me! (Note, they are not claiming these to be conclusive findings. This requires a lot more research, but these results are certainly a starting point for follow-up studies.)
Stream The Game Changers on Netflix, and rent or buy on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google play, Vimeo, Vudu, or iTunes
GMO OMG, 2013
Not specifically a plant based diet documentary per se, but is extremely important in terms of overall health. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have a profound impact on humans, animals, and the environment. And the industry of GMOs is, not surprisingly, powerful and corrupt.
As described by an anonymous writer on IMDB: “Today in the United States, by the simple act of feeding ourselves, we are unwittingly participating in the largest experiment ever conducted on human beings. Each of us unknowingly consumes genetically engineered food on a daily basis. The risks and effects to our health and the environment are largely unknown. Yet more and more studies are being conducted around the world, which only provide even more reason for concern. We are the oblivious guinea pigs for wide-scale experimentation of modern biotechnology.”
Watch GMO OMG on Amazon Prime Video or rent or buy on iTunes.
What The Health, 2017
Another one of my favorite plant based advocate documentaries. One thing the documentary exposes is why organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Association continue to promote eating meat and dairy, despite the known link to negative effects on cancer and diabetes.
I knew the meat and dairy industry was in bed with the U.S. government, but I had no idea their influence reached into nonprofit organizations as well. It will make your blood boil, but it’s incredibly eye-opening and significant.
Stream What The Health on Netflix or buy on Vimeo.
Food, Inc., 2008
A popular documentary seen by a lot of people, but it still gets a mention here. Food, Inc. examines the unsustainable industrial production of meat, grains, and vegetables. As with many others, it also addresses the food industry’s influence on the government and regulations.
Stream Food, Inc. on Hulu (with subscription), or rent or buy on iTunes, Amazon Prime, and Vudu.
PlantPure Nation, 2015
Follows Nelson Campbell, son of Dr. T. Colin Campbell (the nutritional biochemist and author of The China Study). This documentary tells the backstory of Dr. Campbell and his groundbreaking study findings.
Chronicles the development, implementation, and success of Nelson Campbell’s program, JumpStart.
Watch PlantPure Nation on Amazon Prime Video, rent or buy on iTunes, or watch for free on YouTube.
Cowspiracy, 2014
Produced and narrated by the same producer as What The Health. Focuses on the impact of the meat industry on the environment and its consumption of natural resources.
When confronted with alarming statistics, many environmental organizations refused to comment or even be interviewed. Again, I was shocked to learn about the influence of the meat and dairy industry. (At this point, I don’t know why I’m surprised anymore! 🤷♀️But it’s extremely frustrating and disturbing.)
Stream Cowspiracy on Netflix.
Planeat, 2017
Focuses on the works of Dr. Campbell (biochemist, researcher), Dr. Eshel (professor), and Dr. Esselstyn (physician, surgeon). Addresses popular topics such as industrial farming and its detrimental environmental effects.
Also features a number of plant based chefs and bakers providing tutorials on cooking a plant based diet.
View Planeat on Amazon Prime Video or rent or buy on YouTube.
Food Choices, 2016
Highlights nutritional topics such as protein, fiber, essential fatty acids, and cholesterol intake. Also explores ideas for getting kids to eat a healthy whole food plant based diet.
Other topics of discussion include sustainability, environmental hazards, and factory farming. My favorite quote from this documentary: “There’s a reason why factory farms and slaughterhouses are not located in densely populated areas; it’s not for lack of space. It’s because if people saw the truth, they would likely change.”
Watch Food Choices on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Tubi, YouTube (free with ads) or rent or buy on iTunes.
Vegucated, 2011
Focuses mostly on animal rights. Not the best documentary in terms of production, but it packs a big punch when it reveals videos from factory farming and animals used for clothing and accessories. These parts are difficult to watch (and in the grand scheme of things, not too terribly graphic), considering what goes on behind closed doors. If you can’t bring yourself to watch Earthlings (see below), I recommend at least watching Vegucated.
One of the participants of the documentary makes a phone call to a large producer of free range organic dairy and eggs, and it’s a must-see. (It is not divulged who the gentleman from that company is that she is speaking to). The documentary participant asks several questions, and his honest, flippant answers are mind-boggling. And extremely concerning. All she can say afterwards is, “wow.” My thoughts exactly.
See Vegucated on Amazon Prime Video or rent or buy on iTunes.
Facing the truth
Just before transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, some of these graphic videos from the meat and dairy industry were brought to my attention, but I was unable to watch them all the way through. I thought to myself, if I can’t stand watching them, what right do I have to be eating them? This is what prompted the (mostly) vegetarian diet change.
But even then, I was in denial and being ignorant. If I was unable to watch the reality of what actually occurs in order to put food on my plate, what right did I have turning a blind eye and having the mindset that “if I don’t watch it or think about it, it won’t be real.” I’m here to tell you, it is real. It happens every single day, with the vast majority of animal based food you eat. And it is considered acceptable.
If you can’t endure watching the videos, at least go online and read about what takes place. Although I do recommend watching something as these are visuals that do not easily leave your mind. I implore you to think about these things and consider this as you ponder transitioning to a plant based diet.
Earthlings
Additional documentary: if you want to really dig into the cruel injustices of the animal industry, I recommend watching Earthlings. Warning: it is extremely graphic–and completely legal, standard operating procedure.
Narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, Earthlings obtains most of its footage from hidden cameras to document the everyday practices of some of the largest animal industries in the world: pet stores and puppy mills, food and clothing industries, and animals for entertainment and research.
I attempted to watch Earthlings after transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, and I was unable to finish it. I spent the majority of the documentary in disbelief, with my eyes closed in horror. Eventually I had to turn it off because I couldn’t stomach any more. It’s enough to make even the strongest people cry. This film has weighed so heavily on me, and I just wonder why more people haven’t watched this documentary. It is raw and authentic. It’s heartbreaking and infuriating; and it is life changing.
This documentary made me angry at myself for not educating myself sooner; I felt profound guilt that I had contributed to this inhumanity in some way. But I also felt a sense of relief knowing that I was no longer part of something so heinous.
Watch Earthlings on YouTube and Vimeo.
Making the change
I told you I wouldn’t preach at you; I just ask that you educate yourself about what actually occurs in the meat and dairy industry and the information they attempt to hide from the public. If you watch (or read) and decide that going vegan isn’t for you, that’s fine. But I would guess that the majority of you, at the very least, will be inclined to cut back on your meat and dairy consumption. 🌱
Which of these documentaries did you watch? Which one was your favorite?
If you get through this list and are looking for something else to do, be sure to check out my recommended reading list!