How does one delicately talk about poop?
The answer is, you can’t.
But I’m going to anyways. H has been dirtying diapers like a champ lately. At 5 months old, she’s typically a once-a-day kind of gal, but for the past 3 days (ish) she has been dirtying at least 4 a day.
Cute little stinker.
I’m not concerned, but curious as to what made the change. Then I thought about my new pescatarian ways and realized that although I was eating plenty of fruits and vegetables before, I’ve noticed a significant increase in my bean intake. I’m talking a lot of beans! Is fiber passed on through breast milk? Though the experts say no, I beg to differ
Increased fiber is definitely one benefit of this new way of eating, and even though I’m only about a week in, I’m not missing meat. Chicken may be a little more difficult to live without long term, but I’m enjoying our new meatless ways. It’s definitely a bit more of a challenge for David, since he’s out on the road, but he’s not complaining (just eating a lot of Subway tuna fish sandwiches…) and I’m thrilled he’s doing the challenge with me! Whether we stay pescatarian or not, I think it is a good exercise to focus on making our food choices mostly plant based. For this reminder, I can thank Forks Over Knives.
In my pescatarian declaration I breezed by the fact that I recently watched Forks Over Knives. For those not familiar with the documentary, it clearly outlines the dramatic health benefits of a plant-based, whole foods diet over one that is high is animal products and processed foods. It also presents a strong argument for letting food be thy medicine (thanks Hippocrates). Thus, Forks (using what one eats) over knives (relying on modern medicine, pills and surgery- knives).
Throughout the film, you see many examples of people that completely reverse their medical conditions (diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, dependency on medication) by adopting a vegan lifestyle. Though, I will point out that the word VEGAN is not used it the documentary. Possibly of fear of scaring people off? Probably a smart move because a plant-based diet sounds much more approachable than vegan.
Anyways, I won’t go into all the details of the documentary, though I do recommend you watch it. It goes into detail about The China Study, which is a tough book to read through on it’s own because of it’s depth.
I’d like to make it a habit of watching it every few months since it really re-inspired me to focus on a whole foods diet and decrease the amount of animal products I consume. Although I will most likely never go vegan full time, it does make me want to make plants the center of my diet.
Speaking of plant-based meals, last night’s vegetarian dinner was delicious. But really, what Mexican-inspired meal isn’t?
A base of brown rice, mixed with a can of Rotel. Eden Organic’s lightly salted refried beans. A mix of sautéed onions, peppers and mushrooms. A dollop of Daisy. Avocado slices and a generous sprinkling of cilantro. Plus some (unpictured) salsa.
Have you seen Forks Over Knives?
What did you think?
Overall thoughts on plant-based diets?
Emily says
I’ve been wanting to watch it but I’m worried that if it has visuals of animal cruelty, it will upset me too much. The day I watched Food Inc. was the last day I’ve eaten meat in almost two years. Labels aren’t my thing so I have a hard time getting behind “vegetarian” but after watching that movie, I have zero interest in eating meat. Have you seen it? If so, how do you think Forks Over Knives compares as far as seeing animals suffer?
Meredith @ An Epic Change says
I know you were asking Brittany and not me, but I’ve seen both and Forks Over Knives is way easier on the eyes as far as cruelty goes. I had forgotten how graphic parts of Food Inc were until I started watching it on my phone at the gym the other day — I turned it off very quickly!
Brittany says
I actually haven’t watch Food Inc because I’ve heard such terrible things about scenes from it involving animal cruelty. I’m not sure I could handle it. I think I enjoyed Forks Over Knives because it wasn’t a message about how badly animals are treated, but more so focused on the benefits of eating plants. There weren’t any scene that I had to turn away from (and I’m pretty sensitive :))
Jane Preston says
Brittany, loved the movie and book, as they were real eye-openers. The book does have some healthy recipes in it. My favorite salad dressing is the Jane’s 3-2-1. Will you give us your feedback on them, as you try them? You are inspiring me with your comments and like you, I’m not sure if I would go vegan, but might try Pescatarian.
Thanks and LOVE the cute picture of you and Hailey!!
Brittany says
I didn’t know the book had recipes! I’ll have to look them up. I know my mom downloaded the book, so maybe she’ll try some too 🙂
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I watched Forks over Knives a few months ago and loved it. I already eat a plant based diet but it really opened my eyes further to the benefits of focusing on fruits, veggies, and legumes. And I’m a firm believer that even if people make small, incremental changes, they would see a huge difference in their health.
Meredith @ An Epic Change says
I was (totally randomly) thinking about that movie as I drifted off to sleep last night. If you remember the part where they speak to the fire fighter son of one of the co-authors of the China Study, that part was actually filmed in Austin where I live. The fire fighter (Rip Esselstyn) is here in Austin and wrote a book about his diet plan that is fairly popular around town and I would guess in other parts of the country too — “The Engine 2 Diet”. I’ve read it and try to adopt some of it into my lifestyle (never one to go whole-hog into any diet plan…). But I think you might find it interesting especially since you just watched Forks Over Knives.
Lauren B. says
I’ve made the sweet potato veggie lasagna and portabello burgers from Engine 2, and my husband and I both thought they were delicious! We didn’t miss the meat or dairy at all!
Brittany says
oh, how cool! I’ll have to check it out- especially the sweet potato veggie lasagna! It sounds awesome.
Paulina says
I’m going to search for this Doc on netflix. When I get lazy about food prep, I don’t eat much fresh fruit/veggies other than maybe an apple or carrot stick. When I make the time to buy and prepare fresh veggies, I’m more likely to eat them every day, so that key for myself. Have you started Hailey on ‘real’ food yet? My baby is almost ready, and I’m going to skip rice cereal and opt for veggies and fruit instead.
Brittany says
I haven’t, but plan to very soon. I’m so excited to see her reactions 🙂 I think I’ll be skipping cereal, too. I just want to talk to my pediatritian about it because I know the main concern is making sure they get enough iron. Have you looked into that at all?
Paulina says
I’ve researched it a bit…My pediatrician actually told us to start giving her rice cereal at her 4 month check-up, but I’m not comfortable with that. A lot of what I’ve read suggests that for breastfed babies, its best to wait until they are 6 months old, and that iron deficiency isn’t a big concern because the iron in human milk is absorbed better than the iron in formula. This site is helpful:
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/iron.html
Heather says
I have not watched the movie but have adopted a pretty much pescetarian diet after watching Food Inc.
I don’t miss the meat at all and have enjoyed experimenting with various meat replacements – and I still don’t like tofu.
Brittany says
I’m not a big fan of tofu either. I can eat it just fine, but have yet to find a way to prepare it where I think YUMMMMM.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I did watch Forks Over Knives and while I appreciated the message, I actually didn’t find it nearly as compelling or well put together as Food Inc. and some of the Michael Pollan books I’ve read. I can’t really pinpoint what it was about Forks Over Knives (I’ve tried to explain this before to people) that I didn’t totally agree with (not really the right word, I agree, I just wasn’t moved to action by it) but it just didn’t do it for me.
In general, I agree with and do eat a mostly pescatarian diet anyway. I could give up chicken and pork no problem, but there’s no way I could let go of a good piece of red meat every now and then 🙂
Brittany says
Oh my goodness, I understand! I don’t think I could ever go vegan or give any food group up entirely because a well cooked steak is one of my favorite treats- DElish. David is already asking me if we can go for chicken wings on Easter- haha 🙂
& Thanks for sharing your feedback of Forks Over Knives, too. I like hearing other people’s perspectives.
Katie @ Pop Culture Cuisine says
So I think whoever said fiber doesn’t affect breastfeeding babies is nuts…every time I eat more fruits and veggies consistently Kherie poops like crazy. I know you really wanted to know that, but just know you aren’t the only one 🙂
Amanda says
I have not eaten red meat for 4 years and I have adapted to be a vegetarian for almost 3 months now. I love the choice that I have made for myself. However, I am still struggling with the budget (I am not employed), a weekly meal planning, and living with a boyfriend who is a picky eater and still eats chicken. Now you have adapted to a new way of meatless eating and I love your previous post on your meal planning, where do you get your food/recipe ideas?
Thank you for this post and it inspired me. I am always researching on becoming vegetarian/ to get into a plant based diet and I am really eager in watching Forks Over Knives so I am gonna rent it! 🙂
Brittany says
Yes, you must rent it- it sounds right up your alley! I get food and recipe ideas from what happens to sound good to me that week, but also from reading other blogs, looking back through my old posts, and playing on pinterest (though I rarely get the chance to play on pinterest).
My favorite budge-friendly tips are buying from the bulk bin (including dried beans vs canned), cooking from scratch, buying local and in season produce and using meat as a part of a meal instead of the main event. For example, I’d cut up 1 chicken breast and use it in a stir fry that David and I split, rather than using 1 breast per person. It saves money, has us fill up on more veggies, and David doesn’t really notice 🙂
Lauren B. says
I watched it twice in 2 days, once with my husband, and it made a huge impact on the amount of animal products we consume! We used to have them at every meal, and now most of our meals at home are plant-based. I have been nervous to totally switch to veganism during my pregnancy, so I still eat fish, cheese and yogurt occasionally, and order chicken whenever we eat out. But I am totally turned off of red meat and pork! I would eat fish everyday if I could (darn mercury!). Once I have the baby, I will probably watch the movie again and reevaluate my diet at that time. Have fun with the challenge!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
I’ve been meaning to watch it! I know it’s streaming on Netflix…I gotta do that!
Brittany says
Yup- I love Netflix. I’ve watched Forks Over Knives and a ton of old Gossip GIrl episodes- haha 🙂
Danica @ It's Progression Not Perfection says
I thought some of Forks Over Knives was a little dramatic or biased, but overall I was really inspired by it. Especially the statistics about cancer, infertility rates, etc. and their relation to food consumption–I was completely convinced that there’s no coincidence in that. Organic food may be a little more expensive but after watching that I always remind myself to either pay now or pay later!
Jen@FoodFamilyFitness says
Super cute picture of you two 🙂
Dawn says
I have not seen Forks Over Knives, but I will definitely watch it!
My own health journey has led me to believe that a vegetarian diet is actually not optimal … I’ve learned that there are lots of flaws in the China study, and I am now very convinced that a hunter-gatherer/ancestral/paleo diet (or whatever you want to call it) is the way to go. With that said, I know that lots of people say they thrive on a vegetarian diet and I think that is the main point — what helps each individual feel his or her best! My own research and experience, though, has led me in a completely different direction.
Emily says
im basically in the SAME situation as you, brittany! a couple of weeks ago i watched forks over knives, and it really inspired me {more so than food inc, for example, that i felt just wanted to guilt trip me into giving up meat} to adopt a more plant-based diet, and so i gave up meat for lent, too, and im not missing meat too much either! we’ll see at the end of these forty days how i feel about going back to meat again- who knows what the end will bring!
Marci says
I finally rented Forks over Knives last weekend too. Is this silly–I always thought the title meant Forks=foods easier to eat with a fork, like plant based ones, and Knives=needed for meat. Didn’t put it together with the surgery part.
I liked the movie but found Food Inc. more entertaining and convincing, although I’m not giving up plant proteins. It was a good reminder for me to cut back.
Kim says
I have not seen Forks Over Knives but I have read several good reviews of it. I have also read several reviews supporting and refuting The China Study. I remain unconvinced of the validity of The China Study’s results. I do believe people are healthier when they consume lots of fruits and veggies (and fish I think too) less meat and dairy. But overall I just believe in balance and can find no good reason to cut out lean healthy meat, eggs, and the occasional dairy product from my diet. Or to cut out anything completly for that matter.
Agatha K, The Fun Money Nerd says
Haven’t seen it but I also wonder about the affect of wheat on our diets. I just read the book Wheat Belly and it blew my mind how many of us it causes problems for. So I would be curious to know if Forks Over Knives considered that eliminating wheat is beneficial too, or did they only focus on meat?
Michaela says
I am so happy for you that you are transforming your diet for lent! I bet you will feel absolutely amazing.
Also I wanted to add my two cents on fish. People always tend to think that catching fish is harmless and that fish don´t feel pain (I don´t know why, as it doesn´t make sense). The truth is that most fish is caught under terrible circumstances, and there are only a very few labels out there that one can trust, meaning the fish is caught under restrictions for sustainability, etc. (“The Cove” is a great movie on that topic.)
and it IS normal to poop more on a mostly plant-based diet, thanks to all that fiber 😉
Lindsay@Fuel My Family says
I want to see that documentary now. I do believe the diet should be based around plants and whole foods.
The increased pooping could be from teething!
Lauren K says
I think I will have to rent it this weekend! Have you guys tried tempeh yet? I dont like tofu but tempeh is pretty tasty and has a good texture. Easy substitute for tacos, stirfry, etc to have a meaty texture!
blackhuff says
A few months back, I remember reading a blog which also seen this movie and since then, I can’t find it in any Video store here in SA. So no, have not yet seen it 🙁
Bethany @ Forever After Blog says
I’ve seen Forks Over Knives and have been mostly vegan since! Despite the challenges of changing my diet at first, I’m not completely loving my new plant based lifestyle.
Bethany @ Forever After Blog says
I’ve seen Forks Over Knives and have been mostly vegan since! Despite the challenges of changing my diet at first, I’m now completely loving my new plant based lifestyle.
Bethany @ Forever After Blog says
Oops…posted twice by accident. Meant to say I’m NOW completely loving my new plant based diet! 🙂 Loving eating vegan foods!
ErikaMC says
Our 6-month old started having more frequent poopy diapers when he started teething.