REVIEW:Diet for a New America

                                      

“At the present time, when most of us sit down to eat, we aren't very aware of how our food choices affect the world.  We don't realize that in the sizzle of our steaks there is the suffering of animals, the mining of our topsoil, the slashing of our forests, the harming of our economy, and the eroding of our health."  ~John Robbins

Summary of Documentary

The video "Diet for a New America" is about how the standard American diet has enormous affects on our environment. The author, John Robbins, emphasizes the fact that consuming large amounts of meat and dairy are not only harmful to our health, but also to our planet. This documentary presents problems dealing with disease, animal cruelty, and environmental concerns. 

The video relates high-fat diets to disease in a couple different aspects. First it talks about research that is showing that high-fat diets are strongly correlated to many chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease and certain cancers. Along with that, it also talks about how the billions of tons of manure, from cattle and other animals, are getting into the water lines and dispersing nitrates into the drinking water. These nitrates can cause "blue-baby syndrome" and possibly certain cancers.

When talking about animal cruelty, the video pointed out the fact that many farms do not provide livable conditions for their animals. Part of the reason could be carelessness. But a big part of this is because of how Americans like their meat, juicy and tender. Unfortunately for animals, the best way to be "juicy and tender" is to barely move around, and eat lots and lots of food. Although this may sound like heaven to some people, think about being confined in an area so small that you couldn't even turn around (if you were on your hands and knees)! Some of the conditions these animals are in are just plain torture and brutal, and it is America's hunger for meat that fuels this sad reality.

John Robbins also talks a lot about the damage we are causing to the environment because of what we choose to eat. The amount of space needed to raise cattle and other animals is unreal. The amount of food needed to feed all these animals is enormous. The pesticides and other chemicals used on the fields are harmful to the environment. Along with chemicals, manure also gets in the air and water, potentially harming those around the farm.

Basically, the main point of this documentary was to make us aware of the large proportions of food (particularly meat and dairy products) we are eating without even realizing the affects it has to ourselves and to the world. John Robbins' ultimate goal is to convince America to include less meat in its diet. Apparently if everyone does this, it will play a huge role in saving our environment.

Terms

Atherosclerosis - a disease affecting arterial blood vessels.

Nitrates - a compound of nitrogen and oxygen found in many food items.

"Blue-Baby Syndrome" - newborns with cyanotic conditions due to lack of oxygen.

Pesticides - a substance or mixture of substances used to kill a pest.

Manure - organic matter used as organic fertilizer in agriculture.

Hemoglobin - the iron-containing oxygen transport protein in the red blood cells.

My Thoughts

Growing up in a Korean family in America has been interesting for me. Learning how to live in 2 different cultures has never been a big problem, but when it came to food it was a little challenging. Unlike most of my friends and pretty much everyone else I know, I grew up eating rice and vegetables because that's all my mom ever cooked (she's a health NUT)! I remember when I was younger, I pretty much hated eating rice and vegetables because that's literally all we ever had for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner! If I ever had the chance to eat Mcdonald's, or go to a friends house for a spaghetti dinner, it was like a celebration for me because I got to eat "American" food. 

Now that I'm older and a little smarter (only a little), I come to appreciate the diet my mom offered for my family because now I'm aware of the risk factors related to high-fat diets and other unhealthy foods. Watching "Diet for a New America" has reassured my understanding that eating rice and veggies all the time is OKAY! Even though I have adopted the American culture, and pretty much drool whenever I smell burgers on the grill or pizza in the oven, I'm still glad that I grew up eating Korean food as well. Now that I'm in college, I miss Korean food more than ever and wish I didn't take it for granted as a kid. Also, after watching this video, I do think America could lighten their intake of meat. I know most everyone would die without meat (I'm guilty of this), but it wouldn't kill us to eat just a little less everyday. In fact, it would be more beneficial for our health, and the environment! Knowing that diets high in fat and cholesterol can contribute to serious illnesses, I think it's time that we as Americans have a little more self-control over what we eat. Even though foods like burgers, hotdogs, fries, and pizza taste amazing, sadly what tastes good is killing us.

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