Netflix Nutrition: Food For Thought

Have you ever wanted to learn more about nutrition, but didn’t know where to start?

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If you have a Netflix account, look no further. Netflix has a wide variety of documentaries on food and nutrition. These films present topics on childhood obesity, issues with the food industry, and even the benefits of a completely plant-based diet. To help you decide which documentary you would most enjoy, we watched these seven top-rated nutrition documentaries and rated them on the following criteria:

Can you watch it without feeling guilty? Does it inspire a change to healthier eating habits? Is it informative?

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The Kids Menu

This film shows how children (when educated on healthy food versus junk food) often opt for the healthier option – especially when given the opportunity to grow the fruits and vegetable themselves.

Can you watch it without feeling guilty? Yep.

Does it inspire a change to healthier eating habits? Definitely.

Is it informative? Yeah!

Overall

Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead

This documentary follows a man who travels across America while on a 60-day fast of juiced fruits and vegetables. The film focuses on his lifestyle change, and he also interviews other people on overcoming the challenges of dieting. On his journey, he encourages others to engage in a juiced fruit and vegetable fast as well.

Can you watch it without feeling guilty? Not really.

Does it inspire a change to healthier eating habits? Meh.

Is it informative? Yeah, but juicing cleanses aren't actually that great for you.

Overall

Forks Over Knives

This film promotes the benefits of a plant-based diet and encourages people to avoid animal-based foods such as meat, dairy and eggs, as well as processed foods.

Can you watch it without feeling guilty? Maybe.

Does it inspire a change to healthier eating habits? Totally.

Is it informative? Very!

Overall

Fed Up

This documentary focuses on childhood obesity. Instead of blaming the kids, the film claims that exercise is not the ultimate solution to the obesity problem. Instead, it blames childhood obesity on the food industry and government.

Can you watch it without feeling guilty? Nope.

Does it inspire a change to healthier eating habits? Yes!

Is it informative? Indubitably.

Overall

Hungry for Change

This documentary claims that although we consume plenty of calories from sugary, processed foods, we are still nutritionally underfed. It also addresses some of the underlying mental causes of obesity.

Can you watch it without feeling guilty? Kind of.

Does it inspire a change to healthier eating habits?  Maybe, maybe not.

Is it informative? You'll learn something.

Overall

PlantPure Nation

This film talks about a shift in nutritional thinking from emphasizing an animal based diet to emphasizing a plant-based diet. It presents the issues of the government and meat and dairy industries’ influence on our diets, and also challenges the idea that diet and exercise are not enough for some people.

Can you watch it without feeling guilty? You're good!

Does it inspire a change to healthier eating habits? It's pretty inspirational.

Is it informative? I learned a ton.

Overall

Sugar Coated

This film presents the idea that sugar may be toxic (and as dangerous as alcohol and tobacco) by correlating society’s increased sugar intake with rises in diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, tooth decay, gum disease and obesity.

Can you watch it without feeling guilty? If you're lucky.

Does it inspire a change to healthier eating habits? Welcome to the new you.

Is it informative? Get ready to take notes.

Overall

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While each of these nutrition documentaries is a great jumpstart to improving your health, they are no substitute for a nutritional evaluation. If you want personalized, nutrition information from a professional, Auburn offers that through the Auburn University Nutrition Team, click here for more information!

Be well, Auburn.

[Editor's Disclaimer: Auburn Campus Recreation is not affirming the nutritional claims of these documentaries. Please consult a dietitian or nutrition expert for facts and guidance.]

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Photography: Jack P.