My clients have been bugging me (pun intended) to watch the documentary that just popped up on Netflix! It’s a show called “You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment”. This show documented what happens when twins eat different kinds of food. One twin goes all-in on veggies (vegan), while the other keeps munching on all sorts of food, including meat (omnivore).

So, the researchers decided to use twins for their study because twins have nearly identical genetics. That way, it was an easy way to remove some variables so they could really see how different foods affect our bodies without other things, like genetics, getting in the way. They had these twins eat their special diets for 8 weeks and checked on them periodically to see what was happening inside their bodies. They also had to commit to a rigorous exercise program.

Guess what? The twins eating all those plants (vegan) ended up eating fewer calories and even lowered their bad cholesterol more than their siblings. That’s pretty interesting! But here’s the kicker – even though eating plants seemed to do a do a body good, not everyone was happy about it. Some of the twins missed their old foods and found it hard to stick to just plants. The hardest thing to do was change old habits.

Now, here’s where it gets a bit tricky. The study wanted to see if just eating plants or not eating plants made a big difference. But there’s so much more to food than that, like how much we eat, what kinds of nutrients are in the food, and even when we eat it. During the first part of the study, all the meals were planned out, but they didn’t make sure everyone was eating the same amount of calories or the same kinds of fats. So, it’s hard to say if the benefits that happened were because of eating plants or just eating less and healthier fats. The current research out there supports eating more plant-based foods with meat to get the most health benefits.

And you know what? Just saying “plant-based” doesn’t really tell the whole story. There are so many different kinds of foods out there, and just because something is from a plant, doesn’t always mean it’s the best choice. Plus, there are other things we can eat that aren’t from animals or plants, like mushrooms and seaweed.

So, what’s the big takeaway? Eating more plants might do some good for our bodies, but it’s not just about whether it comes from a plant or an animal. It’s about the whole picture – how much we’re eating, what’s in the food, making sure we’re getting what we need to feel great, and enjoying the choices. I found that the 2017 documentary “What Are We Fat” by Simon Gault, was a much better and thorough investigation into this quandary of why we are getting so unhealthy in the world. A shot, a pill, or a supplement isn’t going to solve it either.

Let’s keep exploring and finding what makes us feel our best, inside and out! Remember, it’s all about balance and finding what works for you. Ready to give your body some love?  Let’s do it together!