‘The Game Changers’ Might Just Persuade You to Go Vegan

Any vegans in the audience are going to love co-writer Shannon Kornelson’s documentary on the benefits of a plant-based diet. Kornelson, director Louie Psihoyos, and a cast of interviewees from the Miami Dolphins to Arnold Schwarznegger show us that veganism doesn’t just benefit the average person, but even the highest level athletes as well. (GPG: 5/5)

Review by FF2 Contributing Editor Giorgi Plys-Garzotto

As a vegan, I felt pretty damn good about myself walking out of The Game Changers. However, this film isn’t about guilting or shaming people who don’t currently eat vegan—The Game Changers is here to show everyone how to unlock more of their physical potential. Professional fighter James Wilks serves as the narrator as he walks us through his own personal quest to heal from an injury more efficiently, and goes from avowed meat eater to a vegan by the end of the movie. He’s an example of how just about anybody can have a better relationship to their body through greater knowledge of the dangers of meat and the benefits of plant-based alternatives.

Wilks starts with athletes who are already vegan, and finds a startling amount of runners, football players, and even weight lifters who have made the switch from meat to plants. The amount of giant football players we meet in the course of these interviews proves the bodybuilding and a vegan diet are compatible. Wilks experiments himself, eating the same things as his interviewees and partaking in the results of each test along with his subjects.

In between the real-life testaments to a vegan diet, Wilks explains to us through simple biology and statistics how and why this is the better option. We hear from an evolutionary biologist about how human teeth, supposedly developed specifically for meat, are actually much better suited to a primarily plant-based diet. We see vegans and carnists (as they’re called by vegans) compared at the biological level, and see the cholesterol from meat literally clouding the blood of meat eaters. In both its science and its athletic guest stars, this film was extraordinarily thorough, though I was wary of taking my science from a movie rather than a more objective, academic source.

The film references scientific papers, but makes note of the fact that it’s common practice for think tanks and corporations to hire scientists to conduct experiments in line with their desired outcomes. As we and Wilks learn, food crazes have come and gone in our society over and over again over the past century due to food industry marketing tactics, begging the question what makes this eighty-minute long infomercial for the soy industry different. Veganism has certainly been the best choice for me, and the evidence presented in this movie seems very sensible and in line with what I already know, but the price of avocados and tempeh these days makes it just as clear to me that corporations make plenty of money from my diet, too.

As far as my own personal choices go, I have the only piece of evidence I really need: I’ve tried being vegan, and I’ve tried eating meat, and my body works much better on a vegan diet. Over the past five years, I’ve gone back to meat every now and then—and no, I haven’t been vegan long enough for my body to stop making the enzymes to process meat—with the same results every time. Plant fuel burns cleaner for my body than meat fuel, and what I know of the science both lines up with that and makes intuitive sense. That said, here is a fact-check of the film’s main claims about a vegan diet—if you don’t want spoilers, then I guess come back to this review after you’ve seen the movie!

When it comes to building muscle mass, the vegan athletes (including the world’s current recordholder for most weight carried by a human) prove that it’s possible. However, the protein found in tofu is about one fourth the amount found in chicken, meaning that it may well be harder or less convenient for athletes to build huge muscles on a vegan diet. I would note, though, that the average person probably isn’t trying to get as swole as Arnold Schwarzenegger. Most people will probably be able to build all the muscle they want with a plant-based diet!

Regarding heart health, it’s true that soy and plants are much better for the cardiovascular system than meat. The American Heart Association recommends lots of vegetables and whole grains, with only skinless poultry and fish being on their list of recommended foods. I would just like to add that beef and chicken are often prepared much less healthily than vegan food. Hamburgers are obviously less healthy than a tofu stir fry, but not only because of the meat! Likewise, KFC would give you a heart attack even if they replaced the chicken with soy. For another thing, vegans tend to eat a lot more vegetables with their protein, meaning that dudes who eat steak every day aren’t just eating one less healthy food but also forgoing foods that are good for them at the same time. I even know a few vegans who eat mostly chips and Oreos (vegan, believe it or not!) and who have higher cholesterol than average. 

Finally, there’s the claim of whether or not humans were, quote unquote, meant to eat meat. This is an answer that I could take in a few different directions, some of which would lead to inch-thick philosophical treatises, but in the end the best scientific knowledge can tell us a few things in support of this argument. While “meant” is a very charged concept, we know that human ancestors evolved as hunter-gatherers, with their typical diet consisting of primarily of plants and only secondarily of animals. Hunting animals is hard enough with guns, let alone handmade tools, so early humans probably had meat once a week at most, if that. This means that the evolutionary adaptations in our bodies that have been developing for the past few hundred thousand years are primarily geared toward making it easier for us to eat plants. However, as anyone who has ever eaten meat before can tell you, it is not impossible for humans to eat meat.

I bring these things up not because I want to disparage veganism, but because I think highly enough of my diet that I feel no need for exaggeration. I also bring it up for another reason, which is thoroughly covered in The Game Changers. Climate change, unlike the possibilities of bodybuilding on a vegan diet, is an indisuptable fact, and industrialized meat production is a major cause of it. If humans want to avoid levels of warming that would leave our planet uninhabitable, we’re going to need to do something about the staggering amount of water, electricity, and food that goes to raising animals for slaughter and processing their meat for consumption.

On that dark note, I leave people to make what they will of The Game Changers. I enjoyed it, just as I enjoy being vegan. If nothing else, I hope this film will convince you to try Meatless Mondays, a week of eating vegan, or whatever else works for you, so you can see for yourself!

© Giorgi Plys-Garzotto FF2 Media (9/21/19)

Q: Does The Game Changers pass the Bechdel-Wallace test?

It doesn’t, though as a documentary this film isn’t operating under the circumstances the Bechdel-Wallace test was made for.

Giorgi Plys-Garzotto

By Giorgi Plys-Garzotto

Giorgi Plys-Garzotto is a journalist and copywriter living in Brooklyn. She especially loves writing about queer issues, period pieces, and the technical aspects of films. Some of her favorite FF2 pieces she's written are her review of The Game Changers, her feature on Black Christmas, and her interview with the founders of the Athena Film Festival! You can also find more of her work on her website!

204 comments

  1. Hi my family member! I wish to say that this article is awesome, nice written and come with almost all significant infos.

    I would like to peer extra posts like this .

  2. Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice even as you amend your web site, how can i
    subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a applicable deal.
    I were a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright transparent concept

  3. I think what you said made a great deal of sense. But, what about
    this? suppose you composed a catchier title? I mean, I don’t want to tell you how to
    run your blog, but suppose you added something that makes people
    desire more? I mean ‘The Game Changers’ Might Just Persuade You to Go Vegan –
    FF2 Media is kinda vanilla. You ought to look at Yahoo’s front page and
    watch how they write news titles to get viewers to open the links.
    You might add a video or a picture or two to get people interested about what you’ve
    written. Just my opinion, it could bring your website a little bit more interesting.

  4. I just like the helpful info you supply in your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your weblog and take a look at
    once more here frequently. I’m relatively certain I will be told a
    lot of new stuff right right here! Good luck for the following!

  5. You could certainly see your enthusiasm within the work you write.

    The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe.
    Always follow your heart.

  6. Hello, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer,
    it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a
    quick heads up! Other then that, great blog!

  7. What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely useful and it has helped me
    out loads. I hope to contribute & aid different customers like its aided me.
    Good job.

  8. Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I truly
    enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a great author.
    I will make sure to bookmark your blog and may come back very soon.
    I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great work, have a nice
    morning!

  9. Wow that was strange. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked
    submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all
    that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say superb blog!

  10. Thank you for some other excellent article. The place
    else could anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect means of writing?
    I have a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the search for
    such information.

  11. Greate article. Keep writing such kind of information on your site.

    Im really impressed by your blog.
    Hi there, You have done an excellent job. I’ll
    certainly digg it and in my opinion recommend to my friends.
    I’m sure they will be benefited from this website.

  12. Undeniably imagine that which you said. Your favorite justification seemed to be at the net the simplest
    factor to understand of. I say to you, I certainly get irked even as
    other people think about concerns that they plainly do not know about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the highest and outlined out the entire thing without having side-effects , other
    folks can take a signal. Will probably be again to
    get more. Thanks

  13. The assessment is incredibly interesting. If you would like to try
    out slot, To obtain the participating in about trustworthy slot pulsa
    sites. As you can gain big wins and obtain selected pay-out odds.

    If you want to know, you could heterosexual have a look through
    down below. The web link is actually a posture web log which may be
    commonly used between Indonesia the members.

  14. Great beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website,
    how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal.
    I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast
    provided bright clear concept

  15. I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this kind of
    area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site.
    Studying this info So i’m happy to convey that I have a very excellent uncanny feeling I found
    out exactly what I needed. I such a lot for sure
    will make certain to don?t disregard this site and give
    it a glance regularly.

  16. I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
    I do not know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already ;
    ) Cheers!

  17. Wonderful site you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same topics talked about in this article?

    I’d really like to be a part of group where I
    can get feedback from other knowledgeable individuals that share the
    same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
    Cheers!

  18. It is appropriate time to make some plans for the long run and it is time to be
    happy. I have learn this post and if I could
    I wish to counsel you few attention-grabbing issues
    or tips. Perhaps you can write next articles relating to
    this article. I desire to learn even more issues about it!

  19. May I just say what a relief to find a person that truly
    understands what they are discussing on the web. You certainly realize how
    to bring a problem to light and make it important.
    A lot more people need to read this and understand this side of the story.
    I can’t believe you aren’t more popular given that you definitely possess the
    gift.

  20. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for
    your blog. You have some really great posts and I believe I would be a good
    asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love
    to write some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
    Please send me an e-mail if interested. Many thanks!

  21. Please let me know if you’re looking for a writer for your weblog.

    You have some really good articles and I believe I would
    be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link
    back to mine. Please shoot me an email if interested. Thank you!

  22. Hello there! This post could not be written any better!
    Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate!
    He always kept talking about this. I will forward this
    article to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read.
    Thank you for sharing!

  23. My brother recommended I may like this website.

    He used to be totally right. This publish truly made
    my day. You cann’t consider simply how a lot time I had spent for this info!
    Thank you!

  24. Hello this is kind of of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have
    to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding skills so I
    wanted to get guidance from someone with experience.
    Any help would be enormously appreciated!

  25. Just wish to say your article is as amazing. The clearness
    for your put up is simply great and that i could assume you’re a professional on this subject.
    Fine along with your permission let me to grasp your RSS feed to keep updated
    with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying
    work.

  26. I just could not leave your web site prior to suggesting
    that I extremely enjoyed the usual info an individual supply in your guests?

    Is going to be again often to check up on new posts

  27. I will right away snatch your rss as I can not to find your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service.

    Do you’ve any? Kindly allow me know so that I may subscribe.

    Thanks.

  28. certainly like your web-site however you need to take a look at the spelling on quite
    a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very troublesome to tell the
    reality however I’ll definitely come again again.

  29. Awesome blog! Do you have any tips and hints
    for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
    Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a
    paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally confused ..

    Any recommendations? Cheers!

  30. I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your web site.
    Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?
    A number of my blog visitors have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome.

    Do you have any recommendations to help fix this
    issue?

  31. Howdy, There’s no doubt that your site may be having web browser compatibility issues.

    When I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in IE, it has some
    overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide
    you with a quick heads up! Aside from that, excellent site!

  32. Thanks for a marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it,
    you’re a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back in the future.
    I want to encourage one to continue your great writing, have a
    nice day!

  33. Link exchange is nothing else except it is only placing the other
    person’s weblog link on your page at suitable place and
    other person will also do similar in support of you.

  34. Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon every day.
    It’s always interesting to read through content from other writers and
    use something from their sites.

  35. wonderful points altogether, you just received
    a emblem new reader. What would you recommend about your publish that you just made some days ago?
    Any sure?

  36. Unquestionably believe that which you stated.
    Your favorite reason seemed to be on the internet the easiest thing to be aware of.
    I say to you, I certainly get irked while people think about worries that they plainly do not know about.

    You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined
    out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal.
    Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  37. Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts.
    After all I’ll be subscribing in your feed and I am hoping you write again very soon!

  38. I think what you published was actually very logical.
    However, consider this, suppose you composed a catchier title?

    I am not suggesting your information is not solid, but suppose you added something to possibly grab folk’s attention? I mean ‘The Game Changers’
    Might Just Persuade You to Go Vegan – FF2 Media is a little plain. You should look at Yahoo’s home page and note how they create post
    titles to grab viewers to open the links.
    You might add a related video or a related picture
    or two to grab readers interested about what you’ve got
    to say. Just my opinion, it could bring your website a little livelier.

  39. Hello there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew
    where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

  40. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something that I think I
    would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me.
    I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  41. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any
    widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my
    newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time
    and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.
    Please let me know if you run into anything.
    I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.

  42. I truly love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme.
    Did you build this web site yourself? Please reply back
    as I’m planning to create my very own site and would like to find
    out where you got this from or just what the theme is named.

    Appreciate it!

  43. Hello, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.

    When I look at your website in Ie, it looks fine
    but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some
    overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Other then that, great blog!

  44. I think what you typed made a lot of sense. However, think about this, what if you composed a catchier post title?

    I am not suggesting your information is not solid, however what if
    you added something that makes people want more? I mean ‘The Game
    Changers’ Might Just Persuade You to Go
    Vegan – FF2 Media is a little plain. You could glance at Yahoo’s home page and see how they create news headlines to get viewers to
    open the links. You might add a related video or a picture or two to get people excited about what you’ve got to say.

    Just my opinion, it would make your website a little bit more interesting.

  45. What i do not understood is in truth how you’re no longer
    actually much more smartly-appreciated than you may be
    right now. You’re very intelligent. You understand therefore
    significantly in relation to this topic, produced me personally consider it from numerous numerous angles.
    Its like women and men are not fascinated except it
    is one thing to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your
    individual stuffs nice. At all times care for it up!

  46. I simply couldn’t depart your web site prior to suggesting that I
    really enjoyed the usual information a person provide in your guests?

    Is going to be back continuously in order to check out
    new posts

  47. great issues altogether, you just gained a new reader.
    What might you recommend in regards to your put up that you simply made some days ago?

    Any positive?

  48. Thank you for some other informative blog. Where else could I
    get that type of info written in such an ideal means? I have a project that I’m simply now running on, and I’ve been at the look out
    for such info.

  49. Hey There. I discovered your blog the usage of msn. This is a really neatly written article.

    I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to learn more of your helpful info.
    Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.

  50. Hello there! Quick question that’s completely off topic.
    Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
    My web site looks weird when viewing from my iphone. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to fix
    this problem. If you have any recommendations, please share.
    Thanks!

  51. Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole
    my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a thirty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube
    sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views.
    I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  52. Just want to say your article is as astonishing.
    The clearness in your post is just excellent and i could
    assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post.
    Thanks a million and please continue the gratifying work.

  53. What i do not realize is if truth be told how you’re no longer really much
    more neatly-favored than you may be now. You’re very intelligent.
    You know therefore significantly when it comes to this topic, made me in my opinion believe it from numerous numerous angles.
    Its like men and women don’t seem to be fascinated until it is one
    thing to do with Woman gaga! Your own stuffs excellent.
    At all times care for it up!

  54. Hi, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and
    i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam remarks?
    If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you can advise?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any help
    is very much appreciated.

  55. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both educative and entertaining,
    and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head.

    The problem is something which not enough
    folks are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I stumbled across this during my search for something concerning this.

  56. I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your
    weblog. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility issues?

    A small number of my blog readers have complained about my site not operating correctly in Explorer
    but looks great in Safari. Do you have any advice to help fix this problem?

  57. Hi there, i read your blog occasionally and i own a
    similar one and i was just curious if you get a
    lot of spam remarks? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so
    any help is very much appreciated.

  58. I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here
    frequently. I’m quite sure I’ll learn lots of new
    stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  59. Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?
    There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content.
    Please let me know. Thank you

  60. I am not certain where you’re getting your info, but great topic.
    I must spend some time studying much more or figuring
    out more. Thanks for excellent information I was in search
    of this info for my mission.

  61. Hello! This post could not be written any better! Reading
    through this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept chatting about this.
    I will forward this page to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read.
    Thank you for sharing!

  62. Simply desire to say your article is as astonishing.

    The clearness in your post is just great and i can assume
    you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab
    your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post.
    Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work.

  63. With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement?
    My site has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it looks like
    a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my authorization. Do you know any ways to help stop content
    from being stolen? I’d certainly appreciate it.

  64. You are so awesome! I do not suppose I’ve truly read
    through something like that before. So good to discover someone with some
    genuine thoughts on this subject matter. Seriously..
    many thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that is required on the web, someone with a little originality!

  65. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your
    articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and all.
    However think of if you added some great graphics or video clips to give your posts more,
    “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and videos, this blog could certainly be one of the
    very best in its field. Amazing blog!

  66. When I originally commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are
    added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I get 4
    emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a
    way you are able to remove me from that service? Many thanks!

  67. Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to generate
    a really good article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.

  68. I do agree with all the concepts you have introduced for
    your post. They are very convincing and can certainly work.
    Nonetheless, the posts are very short for newbies.

    Could you please prolong them a bit from next time?

    Thanks for the post.

  69. Hey! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog.

    Is it hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.

    I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any ideas or suggestions?

    Cheers

  70. I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and interesting, and
    let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which not enough people are speaking intelligently about.
    I am very happy I came across this during my hunt for something regarding this.

  71. Статья предлагает объективный обзор исследований, проведенных в данной области. Необходимая информация представлена четко и доступно, что позволяет читателю оценить все аспекты рассматриваемой проблемы.

  72. The Jinshi Secret Techniques practiced by Tarot must be known does cholesterol medication affect blood pressure by the Jinshi Martial Arts Center now, but it has not come forward yet, which is very intriguing buy cialis online usa It is evicting the invaders from my body

  73. Автор статьи представляет различные точки зрения на тему, предоставляя аргументы и контекст.

Leave a Reply to [https://165.22.240.171 agen sabung ayam online terpercaya Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *