I always enjoy a good documentary on any subject really but sometimes you see one that truly impacts the way you think. Two such docos I have seen over recent months are That Sugar Film and The True Cost.
That Sugar Film is about hidden sugars, specifically those in foods that are marketed as "healthy". In this entertaining yet informative movie Actor Damon Gameau embarks on a unique experiment where he eats only foods that are are perceived to be healthy. Starting with cereal, low fat yoghurt and juice for breakfast he also includes such foods as muesli bars, peanut butter, baked beans, processed sauces and many, many other things that most consumers would consider a "good" food choice. Damon's health is monitored along the way and it is soon apparent just how much hidden sugar is mindlessly consumed in the name of good health.
That Sugar Film is about hidden sugars, specifically those in foods that are marketed as "healthy". In this entertaining yet informative movie Actor Damon Gameau embarks on a unique experiment where he eats only foods that are are perceived to be healthy. Starting with cereal, low fat yoghurt and juice for breakfast he also includes such foods as muesli bars, peanut butter, baked beans, processed sauces and many, many other things that most consumers would consider a "good" food choice. Damon's health is monitored along the way and it is soon apparent just how much hidden sugar is mindlessly consumed in the name of good health.
Including many case studies of obese children (mainly in the USA), That Sugar Film is a must see for any parent - especially those who may have an overweight child. It is truly eye opening to see the way that the food industry has created so many myths about healthy eating that have never really been questioned. One of the main points that comes across is the way that low-fat has long been touted as the "healthy" choice and that eating low fat is a license to eat whatever you like. The truth is that anything low fat needs a lot of sugar to make it palatable and so the fat calories you save are more than made up for with the calories from the extra sugar. Damon also demonstrates the deceptive perception of healthy fruit juices - which can actually contain more sugar than soft drink. Sure they are made from real fruit, but you would never eat the ten apples that it takes to create a glass of apple juice because the fibre (which has been removed in the processing) would fill you up long before you got to that many.
Damon is not an extremist, he is not telling you to never eat anything sweet - he is merely pointing out the way the food industry has hoodwinked us in regard to hidden sugars and how you can make better food choices for yourself and your family.
The True Cost is a documentary about the clothing industry, more specifically "fast fashion", which is the constant turnover of new clothing lines is major chains such as K-Mart, Target, H&M and many other major clothing chains (both discount and higher end). The True Cost lifts the lid on the sweat shop factories in countries like Bangladesh where workers toil for crazy long hours - all to satisfy the fashion needs of us in countries like Australia, the USA, UK and Europe. It is truly heartbreaking to see parents separated from their children for weeks at a time while they live in big cities in the hope of making enough to support the families they rarely get to see. Dangerous chemicals used in dyeing fabrics and leathers are commonplace as are dictator-like supervisors who push staff harder and harder to make almost impossible quotas.
One of the most significant things I took away from The True Cost was that often a small increase in the retail cost could make a major difference in paying staff higher wages. But retailers want to keep things at say $9.99 or $19.99 and are unwilling to tack on less than a dollar to help create a better working environment for those who create the products they sell. The True Cost has completely changed the way I view clothes and has absolutely made me realise that cheaper is not better and that as a consumer I have a responsibility to know where my clothes come from.
Both these documentaries are available on iTunes and Netflix.
Damon is not an extremist, he is not telling you to never eat anything sweet - he is merely pointing out the way the food industry has hoodwinked us in regard to hidden sugars and how you can make better food choices for yourself and your family.
The True Cost is a documentary about the clothing industry, more specifically "fast fashion", which is the constant turnover of new clothing lines is major chains such as K-Mart, Target, H&M and many other major clothing chains (both discount and higher end). The True Cost lifts the lid on the sweat shop factories in countries like Bangladesh where workers toil for crazy long hours - all to satisfy the fashion needs of us in countries like Australia, the USA, UK and Europe. It is truly heartbreaking to see parents separated from their children for weeks at a time while they live in big cities in the hope of making enough to support the families they rarely get to see. Dangerous chemicals used in dyeing fabrics and leathers are commonplace as are dictator-like supervisors who push staff harder and harder to make almost impossible quotas.
One of the most significant things I took away from The True Cost was that often a small increase in the retail cost could make a major difference in paying staff higher wages. But retailers want to keep things at say $9.99 or $19.99 and are unwilling to tack on less than a dollar to help create a better working environment for those who create the products they sell. The True Cost has completely changed the way I view clothes and has absolutely made me realise that cheaper is not better and that as a consumer I have a responsibility to know where my clothes come from.
Both these documentaries are available on iTunes and Netflix.
