7 documentaries that will make you care about your health

These films can, if not save your life, at least change your perception of health. In this selection, the documentaries are mostly about food, but not only. Each movie is a motivational guide on how to make yourself better. So pick one of these documentaries, make yourself comfortable, grab some popcorn… or not. Better still, a plate of fruit.

Sugar/Sugar

Year of release: 2014

Australian Damon Gamo made a movie in which he became the main actor, director, writer and producer at the same time. He made an experiment on himself, carefully controlling his diet. In doing so, Gamo constantly monitored the amount of sugar he consumed. After this movie, you will have an idea how much sugar you consume and in which foods you should really be wary of it. Also, the movie has the coolest graphics.

Food Corporation/Food, inc

Year of release: 2008

This movie caused a lot of outrage from the food companies. It’s understandable. The movie reveals in detail what food affects health, and what food is sold at inflated prices. A significant part of the movie’s budget went to lawsuits from manufacturers. Some companies even teamed up to respond by creating a website called SafeFoodInc, which talks about the lack of health hazards from their products. The movie’s tagline is “You’ll never look at dinner the same way again.” The picture was nominated for an Oscar.

Heroin(i)/Heroin(e)

Year of release: 2017

Here’s another Oscar-nominated movie and it’s about the opioid epidemic in West Virginia. There, the number of recorded overdoses was 10 times the US average. The movie is about a heroine and the heroes who help get rid of drugs. One can feel the compassion of police officers, firefighters and judges for addicts. The movie is only 39 minutes long, but you want to discuss it much longer.

I want to change/Hungry for change

Year of release: 2012

People are programmed to consume food. It sounds scary, but in a way it is. This movie answers the questions: how to navigate the supermarket with a wide variety of products, how to avoid food cravings, how to cleanse the body and what is the point of diets. “I Want to Change” is sure to get you thinking about what it’s time to change in your diet.

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead/Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead

Year of release: 2010

An impressive story by Joe Cross. The title of the movie is the diagnosis that the doctors gave him. Cross decided to quit everything, go on a trip and drink only fresh fruit/vegetable/green juice for 60 days, plus exercise. And to stay on track, Cross brought along a cameraman to follow his every move. It’s a funny enough look – a fat guy having to settle for juice while ribs are grilled in front of him.

Abortion: Stories Women Tell

Year of release: 2016

An HBO movie in which several girls talk openly about situations involving unwanted pregnancies: how they ended up in that position and how they deal with it. Abortion remains one of the most controversial topics and the authors of the movie show this through the case studies of girls from the state of Missouri.

Forks Over Knives/Forks Over Knives

Year of release: 2011

A study on how nutrition can reduce the likelihood of disease. Many diseases! The benefits of veganism are told from a strictly scientific point of view. The filmmakers believe this movie will save many lives. “Forks vs. Knives” became a kind of lecture about nutrition with the conclusions of Prof. Colin Campbell.