1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Downloaded from YTS.MX 2 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX 3 00:00:10,700 --> 00:00:12,115 [text flickering] 4 00:00:12,219 --> 00:00:15,187 [tense sparse music] 5 00:00:19,122 --> 00:00:22,919 [upbeat acoustic folk music] 6 00:00:23,471 --> 00:00:25,818 - [Tom] My name's Tom; that's me. 7 00:00:25,922 --> 00:00:27,130 I was born in Yorkshire. 8 00:00:28,304 --> 00:00:30,789 I was a normal child growing up, sort of. 9 00:00:30,892 --> 00:00:32,273 Look at that cummerbund. 10 00:00:32,377 --> 00:00:34,793 Played a lot of football. 11 00:00:34,896 --> 00:00:35,794 I ran quite a lot. 12 00:00:35,897 --> 00:00:38,038 [film projector whirring] 13 00:00:38,141 --> 00:00:39,556 Even won myself a few medals. 14 00:00:39,660 --> 00:00:42,042 [crowd cheering] [crowd applauding] 15 00:00:42,145 --> 00:00:42,973 I had two dogs. 16 00:00:43,077 --> 00:00:44,699 [dog barking] 17 00:00:44,803 --> 00:00:46,080 Oh, yeah, and I didn't eat meat. 18 00:00:46,184 --> 00:00:47,116 [record scratching] 19 00:00:47,219 --> 00:00:49,359 In fact, I've never eaten meat. 20 00:00:49,463 --> 00:00:51,775 Okay, so maybe my childhood wasn't that normal. 21 00:00:51,879 --> 00:00:53,743 'Cause that was the 1980s. 22 00:00:53,846 --> 00:00:55,503 Everybody ate meat. 23 00:00:55,607 --> 00:00:58,403 But since then, things have changed. 24 00:00:58,506 --> 00:01:01,785 Veganism is on the rise and it is continuing to grow. 25 00:01:01,889 --> 00:01:02,752 There are countless articles 26 00:01:02,855 --> 00:01:04,409 now stating the potential health 27 00:01:04,512 --> 00:01:06,721 and environmental benefits a plant-based diet can fix. 28 00:01:08,344 --> 00:01:10,242 But for every positive story related to veganism, 29 00:01:10,346 --> 00:01:13,176 there seems to be another two that contradict it. 30 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:14,695 And I still can't go a day 31 00:01:14,798 --> 00:01:16,904 without hearing from friends, colleagues, and strangers 32 00:01:17,007 --> 00:01:20,183 wanting to share the many reasons they could never go vegan. 33 00:01:21,253 --> 00:01:22,427 Like, "Vegans are malnourished, 34 00:01:22,530 --> 00:01:25,119 Climate change doesn't exist. 35 00:01:25,223 --> 00:01:27,052 Cheese, bacon. 36 00:01:27,156 --> 00:01:29,675 The food is bloody disgusting. 37 00:01:29,779 --> 00:01:31,505 B12, protein. 38 00:01:31,608 --> 00:01:33,610 "Animals are there for us to eat." 39 00:01:33,714 --> 00:01:35,509 Is it all just one big plant-based con? 40 00:01:35,612 --> 00:01:37,649 Why was I even raised this way? 41 00:01:37,752 --> 00:01:39,271 I need to know more. 42 00:01:39,375 --> 00:01:41,894 I need to know why so many people continue to say, 43 00:01:41,998 --> 00:01:43,344 "I could never go vegan." 44 00:01:43,448 --> 00:01:45,243 [tense thoughtful music] 45 00:01:45,346 --> 00:01:47,831 I've never eaten meat because I was raised that way. 46 00:01:47,935 --> 00:01:50,179 I was curious why my parents made this decision. 47 00:01:50,282 --> 00:01:52,940 So, when I was out one sunny day, walking my pooch, 48 00:01:53,043 --> 00:01:55,045 I decided to give my mum a quick call. 49 00:01:55,149 --> 00:01:56,081 [dog panting] 50 00:01:56,185 --> 00:01:58,739 [phone line ringing] 51 00:01:58,842 --> 00:01:59,740 - [Tom's Mum] Hello? 52 00:01:59,843 --> 00:02:00,948 - Hi, Mum. It's Tom. 53 00:02:01,051 --> 00:02:02,708 I've just got a quick question for you. 54 00:02:02,812 --> 00:02:04,434 When you first told people 55 00:02:04,538 --> 00:02:06,264 you weren't gonna eat meat anymore, how did they take it? 56 00:02:09,853 --> 00:02:11,269 - [Tom] Of course, 57 00:02:11,372 --> 00:02:12,856 I've heard this more than anything else since being vegan. 58 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:15,135 So, I decided to track down some of the UK's top doctors 59 00:02:15,238 --> 00:02:17,447 and nutritionists so they could tell me all about- 60 00:02:17,551 --> 00:02:18,828 - Protein. 61 00:02:18,931 --> 00:02:21,348 I think everyone who's vegan has heard the question, 62 00:02:21,451 --> 00:02:22,935 "Where do you get your protein?" 63 00:02:23,039 --> 00:02:24,351 - The answer is so simple 64 00:02:24,454 --> 00:02:27,250 that I feel completely stupid repeating it every time. 65 00:02:27,354 --> 00:02:30,391 You know, every single plant food has protein in it. 66 00:02:30,495 --> 00:02:32,255 Our largest land animals 67 00:02:32,359 --> 00:02:34,464 and strongest land animals on this planet, 68 00:02:34,568 --> 00:02:38,296 the elephants, and the great apes, and the giraffes, 69 00:02:38,399 --> 00:02:40,332 are all eating plant foods. 70 00:02:40,436 --> 00:02:42,679 - In the West, there really are no cases 71 00:02:42,783 --> 00:02:44,094 of protein deficiency 72 00:02:44,198 --> 00:02:47,546 because we are actually getting an abundance of calories, 73 00:02:47,650 --> 00:02:49,238 and we know that Western vegans 74 00:02:49,341 --> 00:02:50,894 get more than enough protein. 75 00:02:50,998 --> 00:02:53,518 - The average person needs about 0.8 to one gram 76 00:02:53,621 --> 00:02:54,553 per kilogram of body weight. 77 00:02:54,657 --> 00:02:56,590 Okay, fine, if you're an athlete 78 00:02:56,693 --> 00:03:00,249 or if you're bodybuilding, trying to build muscle, 79 00:03:01,422 --> 00:03:02,734 if you're playing a lot of sports, 80 00:03:02,837 --> 00:03:04,425 then your protein requirements do increase. 81 00:03:04,529 --> 00:03:08,533 But again, only to about 1.6 grams per kilogram body weight. 82 00:03:08,636 --> 00:03:10,086 So again, it's not as high as people think, 83 00:03:10,190 --> 00:03:12,433 and it's all achievable with a vegan diet. 84 00:03:12,537 --> 00:03:14,608 - [Tom] As it turns out, Minil knows what he's talking about 85 00:03:14,711 --> 00:03:16,748 when it comes to getting enough protein. 86 00:03:17,783 --> 00:03:20,717 [upbeat rock music] 87 00:03:30,900 --> 00:03:32,142 [record scratches] 88 00:03:32,246 --> 00:03:33,903 In fact, I quickly realized 89 00:03:34,006 --> 00:03:35,974 there's a whole host of professional athletes, 90 00:03:36,077 --> 00:03:39,460 past and present, benefiting from a plant-based diet. 91 00:03:39,564 --> 00:03:41,462 - I think there is this big misconception 92 00:03:41,566 --> 00:03:44,396 around you can't be vegan and strong. 93 00:03:44,500 --> 00:03:45,604 But there's many of us 94 00:03:45,708 --> 00:03:47,330 that are just living examples of that. 95 00:03:47,434 --> 00:03:49,298 - [Tom] And it's not just professional athletes either. 96 00:03:49,401 --> 00:03:50,609 I was finding ordinary people 97 00:03:50,713 --> 00:03:52,611 benefiting from a plant-based diet, too. 98 00:03:52,715 --> 00:03:55,925 Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. 99 00:03:56,028 --> 00:03:58,272 Like Dean Maher, who's climbed Mount Everest, 100 00:03:58,376 --> 00:03:59,687 which is quite high by all accounts. 101 00:03:59,791 --> 00:04:01,586 - Yeah, it's like a plant-based diet 102 00:04:01,689 --> 00:04:04,036 is our superpower, really. 103 00:04:04,140 --> 00:04:05,486 It's just that recovery. 104 00:04:05,590 --> 00:04:08,524 The last race I did was a 100-mile race. 105 00:04:08,627 --> 00:04:12,424 And the next day, unless I really pushed into my quads, 106 00:04:13,529 --> 00:04:14,978 my legs weren't sore at all. 107 00:04:15,082 --> 00:04:16,842 - [Tom] And Mike Coppock, who I met up with in Barcelona, 108 00:04:16,946 --> 00:04:18,361 as he was about to attempt yet another 109 00:04:18,465 --> 00:04:20,605 ultra running world record. 110 00:04:20,708 --> 00:04:23,021 - I'm about to attempt the fastest known time 111 00:04:23,124 --> 00:04:28,337 on the 225-kilometer GR 5 route, near Barcelona. 112 00:04:29,510 --> 00:04:30,718 - [Tom] What I found even crazier about Mike 113 00:04:30,822 --> 00:04:31,892 is that he'd just done a full shift at work. 114 00:04:31,995 --> 00:04:34,135 Rather than go home and rest like a normal human, 115 00:04:34,239 --> 00:04:37,069 he was about to attempt the world record without any sleep. 116 00:04:37,173 --> 00:04:39,106 Why would you do something like this? 117 00:04:39,209 --> 00:04:43,006 - [laughs] Yeah, it's a good question. 118 00:04:43,110 --> 00:04:44,456 - [Tom] Despite years and years of marketing 119 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:46,734 linking athletic performance to meat consumption, 120 00:04:46,838 --> 00:04:50,082 more and more athletes are adopting a plant-based diet. 121 00:04:50,186 --> 00:04:52,947 Like Lisa Eble, three times CrossFit champion in Germany 122 00:04:53,051 --> 00:04:55,329 and three times medalist at the German Weightlifting Champs. 123 00:04:55,433 --> 00:04:57,089 [dramatic orchestral music] 124 00:04:57,193 --> 00:04:59,471 - For me, it's the right way. 125 00:04:59,575 --> 00:05:03,233 It's good for the animals, it's good for the environment, 126 00:05:03,337 --> 00:05:04,649 and it's good for my body. 127 00:05:04,752 --> 00:05:07,479 I know I can go to an 80-kilo bar and snatch it. 128 00:05:07,583 --> 00:05:09,585 That's easy. [laughs] 129 00:05:09,688 --> 00:05:10,862 - [Tom] And Jeremy Reijnders, 130 00:05:10,965 --> 00:05:12,933 two times CrossFit champion of Holland. 131 00:05:13,036 --> 00:05:15,418 - I noticed already in the first couple of weeks 132 00:05:15,522 --> 00:05:17,834 that I had more energy. 133 00:05:17,938 --> 00:05:20,147 I had the same kind of training but I was less sore. 134 00:05:20,250 --> 00:05:24,220 I was even able to add extra training during the week 135 00:05:24,324 --> 00:05:25,842 because I could handle more volume 136 00:05:25,946 --> 00:05:29,225 because I felt like I was already ready to go earlier. 137 00:05:29,329 --> 00:05:30,433 - [Tom] Kate Strong, 138 00:05:30,537 --> 00:05:31,572 three times static bike world record holder 139 00:05:31,676 --> 00:05:33,263 and ex-triathlon world champion. 140 00:05:33,367 --> 00:05:34,713 - I was able to digest it quicker, 141 00:05:34,817 --> 00:05:36,266 which meant that I could recover quicker 142 00:05:36,370 --> 00:05:38,268 after very heavy training sessions. 143 00:05:38,372 --> 00:05:39,580 I was sleeping better; 144 00:05:39,684 --> 00:05:42,031 I was waking up more alive, more refreshed. 145 00:05:42,134 --> 00:05:45,379 Feeling better, having more positive thoughts. 146 00:05:45,483 --> 00:05:47,761 - [Tom] Ryan Stills, powerlifting world champion. 147 00:05:47,864 --> 00:05:49,418 Alex Morgan, Olympic gold medalist 148 00:05:49,521 --> 00:05:50,971 and two-time World Cup winner. 149 00:05:51,074 --> 00:05:54,112 Lewis Hamilton, seven-time Formula 1 champion. 150 00:05:54,215 --> 00:05:56,839 Chris Smalling, ex-Premier League-winning footballer. 151 00:05:56,942 --> 00:05:59,566 Cheavon Clarke, Ex-Olympic boxer. 152 00:05:59,669 --> 00:06:02,465 Dotsie Bausch, cycling Olympic silver medalist. 153 00:06:02,569 --> 00:06:03,811 - [Dotsie] I had no idea 154 00:06:03,915 --> 00:06:05,606 I was literally ingesting rocket fuel 155 00:06:05,710 --> 00:06:07,505 when I switched over to plants. 156 00:06:07,608 --> 00:06:08,885 I stood on the Olympic podium 157 00:06:08,989 --> 00:06:12,026 just five months shy of my 40th birthday. 158 00:06:12,130 --> 00:06:13,373 - [Tom] Carl Lewis, 159 00:06:13,476 --> 00:06:14,788 who ran his fastest ever times as a vegan, 160 00:06:14,891 --> 00:06:16,997 and tennis superstar, Novak Djokovic. 161 00:06:17,100 --> 00:06:19,655 I could keep going, but I think you get the point. 162 00:06:19,758 --> 00:06:21,311 I wanted to get a sense of how impressive 163 00:06:21,415 --> 00:06:22,796 these athletic feats were, 164 00:06:22,899 --> 00:06:24,729 so I made the somewhat foolish mistake 165 00:06:24,832 --> 00:06:27,490 of challenging Lisa to a race walking on our hands. 166 00:06:30,251 --> 00:06:31,183 - Well done! 167 00:06:31,287 --> 00:06:34,014 [Lisa laughs] 168 00:06:34,117 --> 00:06:35,429 Yes! 169 00:06:35,533 --> 00:06:37,604 - [Tom] Safe to say, I won't be doing that again. 170 00:06:37,707 --> 00:06:39,088 - [laughs] Yeah! - Ah! 171 00:06:39,191 --> 00:06:40,330 - [Lisa] Good job! 172 00:06:40,434 --> 00:06:42,022 [hands slapping] 173 00:06:42,125 --> 00:06:45,405 - You don't have to follow those stereotypical norms 174 00:06:45,508 --> 00:06:47,510 of being able to achieve something 175 00:06:47,614 --> 00:06:49,098 through eating animal products. 176 00:06:49,201 --> 00:06:51,272 I feel like it's just been almost embedded 177 00:06:51,376 --> 00:06:54,241 into the fitness industry that you must have to do it, 178 00:06:54,344 --> 00:06:58,245 but we're calling bullshit. [laughing] 179 00:06:58,348 --> 00:07:00,592 I don't know if I'm allowed to swear, sorry. [laughs] 180 00:07:00,696 --> 00:07:01,524 - [Tom] You can swear. 181 00:07:01,628 --> 00:07:03,388 [light thoughtful music] 182 00:07:03,492 --> 00:07:06,633 [phone line ringing] 183 00:07:08,462 --> 00:07:11,603 [door clunking] 184 00:07:11,707 --> 00:07:12,570 - [Tom's Mum] Hello? 185 00:07:12,673 --> 00:07:14,468 - Hi, Mum. It's Tom again. 186 00:07:14,572 --> 00:07:16,297 You know before, when I asked how people reacted 187 00:07:16,401 --> 00:07:17,747 when you said you didn't eat meat, 188 00:07:17,851 --> 00:07:19,473 was it just protein they mentioned 189 00:07:19,577 --> 00:07:21,441 or was there anything else? 190 00:07:24,858 --> 00:07:26,791 - [Tom] So, basically 37 years ago, 191 00:07:26,894 --> 00:07:29,207 my mum was hearing the exact same thing I hear today. 192 00:07:29,310 --> 00:07:31,451 Thankfully, my new doctor friends were ready to clarify 193 00:07:31,554 --> 00:07:33,418 whether they think vegans should be fearful 194 00:07:33,522 --> 00:07:34,937 of nutrient deficiencies. 195 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:38,768 - What we know about a 100% plant-based or vegan diet 196 00:07:38,872 --> 00:07:40,805 is that it can meet your nutritional needs 197 00:07:40,908 --> 00:07:43,255 for all stages of life, and this has been endorsed 198 00:07:43,359 --> 00:07:46,258 by some of the major dietetic associations around the world, 199 00:07:46,362 --> 00:07:49,227 including the BDA here in Britain. 200 00:07:49,330 --> 00:07:52,126 We've also got the American Dietetics Association 201 00:07:52,230 --> 00:07:53,438 and the Canadians. 202 00:07:53,542 --> 00:07:54,991 - [Tom] It was evident that the majority 203 00:07:55,095 --> 00:07:56,545 of essential nutrients were available 204 00:07:56,648 --> 00:07:58,547 in abundance in a plant-based diet, 205 00:07:58,650 --> 00:08:00,100 but like any dietary pattern, 206 00:08:00,203 --> 00:08:02,482 a small handful just need a little extra care and attention. 207 00:08:02,585 --> 00:08:04,829 - Iodine deficiency is a global problem, 208 00:08:04,932 --> 00:08:08,626 and it's one of the commonest global deficiencies 209 00:08:08,729 --> 00:08:10,110 that we face. 210 00:08:10,213 --> 00:08:12,077 - This trace nutrient is essential for health, 211 00:08:12,181 --> 00:08:14,321 especially thyroid function, 212 00:08:14,424 --> 00:08:15,909 and we only need a very small amount. 213 00:08:16,012 --> 00:08:18,290 - [Tom] Best plant sources are sea vegetables 214 00:08:18,394 --> 00:08:20,258 like nori, dulse, or wakame, 215 00:08:20,361 --> 00:08:22,812 which I imagine for a lot of people, myself included, 216 00:08:22,916 --> 00:08:24,883 sound like made-up words. 217 00:08:24,987 --> 00:08:27,265 Other options of iodine include fortified plant milks, 218 00:08:27,368 --> 00:08:30,440 yogurts, and breads, iodized salts, or a supplement. 219 00:08:30,544 --> 00:08:31,959 Vitamin D is another nutrient 220 00:08:32,063 --> 00:08:34,375 that just needs a little more care and attention. 221 00:08:34,479 --> 00:08:35,929 It's also known as the "sunshine vitamin" 222 00:08:36,032 --> 00:08:38,725 because over 90% of it is derived from sun exposure. 223 00:08:38,828 --> 00:08:40,416 It's actually a vitamin 224 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:41,728 that more than half the global population 225 00:08:41,831 --> 00:08:43,281 have insufficient levels of. 226 00:08:43,384 --> 00:08:46,077 It is fortified in various plant milks and breads, 227 00:08:46,180 --> 00:08:47,872 but if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, 228 00:08:47,975 --> 00:08:51,082 work long hours indoors, or enjoy role-playing as a vampire, 229 00:08:51,185 --> 00:08:53,394 you should probably supplement, especially in winter. 230 00:08:53,498 --> 00:08:56,121 And of course, everyone's favorite nutrient 231 00:08:56,225 --> 00:08:58,641 of concern for vegans: B12. 232 00:08:59,677 --> 00:09:01,264 - This is a really important vitamin 233 00:09:01,368 --> 00:09:03,991 that's actually made by microbes in the soil. 234 00:09:04,095 --> 00:09:05,924 - A supplement is the most reliable way. 235 00:09:06,028 --> 00:09:08,824 And it's important to mention that many people who eat meat 236 00:09:08,927 --> 00:09:11,758 are also deficient in vitamin B12. 237 00:09:11,861 --> 00:09:13,311 - [Tom] Rohini was right. 238 00:09:13,414 --> 00:09:16,072 B12 wasn't just a nutrient of concern for vegans. 239 00:09:16,176 --> 00:09:17,833 In the US, people above the age of 50 240 00:09:17,936 --> 00:09:19,766 are told to supplement with B12 241 00:09:19,869 --> 00:09:21,733 regardless of dietary pattern, 242 00:09:21,837 --> 00:09:24,149 partly because B12 found in meat comes attached to protein 243 00:09:24,253 --> 00:09:25,806 that requires stomach acid for removal 244 00:09:25,910 --> 00:09:27,739 and proper absorption. 245 00:09:27,843 --> 00:09:29,154 Many older adults 246 00:09:29,258 --> 00:09:31,501 don't have enough stomach acid for this process, 247 00:09:31,605 --> 00:09:32,813 so they're encouraged 248 00:09:32,917 --> 00:09:34,470 to get some of their B12 from supplements 249 00:09:34,574 --> 00:09:36,023 or fortified foods. 250 00:09:37,059 --> 00:09:38,474 All dietary patterns take planning, 251 00:09:38,578 --> 00:09:40,580 but there seems to be a much greater focus on the vegan diet 252 00:09:40,683 --> 00:09:41,995 than most others, 253 00:09:42,098 --> 00:09:43,583 and that's despite the fact that vegans 254 00:09:43,686 --> 00:09:45,585 are at no greater risk of nutrient deficiencies 255 00:09:45,688 --> 00:09:47,172 than meat eaters. 256 00:09:47,276 --> 00:09:48,829 As it stands, they're actually more likely 257 00:09:48,933 --> 00:09:50,417 to have a higher intake of nutrients 258 00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:52,384 than both vegetarians and omnivores. 259 00:09:53,938 --> 00:09:56,837 - Actually, the most prevalent diet in the UK, 260 00:09:56,941 --> 00:10:01,290 you know, the typical British diet, is far from optimal. 261 00:10:01,393 --> 00:10:04,120 We're so deficient in a number of nutrients. 262 00:10:04,224 --> 00:10:06,467 - But the number one dietary deficiency 263 00:10:06,571 --> 00:10:08,746 that you should be thinking about every day 264 00:10:08,849 --> 00:10:12,370 is dietary fiber deficiency. 265 00:10:12,473 --> 00:10:13,543 This is a deficiency that affects 266 00:10:13,647 --> 00:10:16,236 about 90% of people in high-income countries. 267 00:10:16,339 --> 00:10:17,686 And why is that? 268 00:10:17,789 --> 00:10:20,240 It's because our food systems have changed so much 269 00:10:20,343 --> 00:10:24,762 that we depend on meat, and dairy, and processed foods, 270 00:10:24,865 --> 00:10:29,490 and junk foods for 60 to 80% of our calories. 271 00:10:29,594 --> 00:10:31,009 Fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, 272 00:10:31,113 --> 00:10:33,080 and seeds in their unprocessed form 273 00:10:33,184 --> 00:10:36,083 generally account for maybe 10% of our calories, 274 00:10:36,187 --> 00:10:41,157 and this is a perfect recipe for a fiber-deficient diet. 275 00:10:42,055 --> 00:10:43,228 - So currently, in the UK, 276 00:10:43,332 --> 00:10:46,300 only one in 10 adults gets enough fiber. 277 00:10:46,404 --> 00:10:47,508 - [Tom] What? 278 00:10:47,612 --> 00:10:49,959 Only one in 10 adults get enough fiber? 279 00:10:50,063 --> 00:10:50,995 Wow! 280 00:10:51,098 --> 00:10:52,410 And it's even worse in the US, 281 00:10:52,513 --> 00:10:54,239 where it's only 5% that get enough. 282 00:10:54,343 --> 00:10:57,277 A similar story in Canada, too, and Europe. 283 00:10:57,380 --> 00:10:58,934 And this is despite the fact 284 00:10:59,037 --> 00:11:00,970 that an adequate intake of dietary fiber 285 00:11:01,074 --> 00:11:03,007 is associated with good digestive health, 286 00:11:03,110 --> 00:11:06,182 a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, hypertension, 287 00:11:06,286 --> 00:11:08,219 certain gastrointestinal disorders, 288 00:11:08,322 --> 00:11:11,774 obesity, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, 289 00:11:11,878 --> 00:11:13,224 and not to mention having a good poo. 290 00:11:13,327 --> 00:11:15,675 - Fiber is only found in plant foods, 291 00:11:15,778 --> 00:11:17,400 and many people are surprised to learn 292 00:11:17,504 --> 00:11:20,783 that there is actually zero fiber in any animal products. 293 00:11:20,887 --> 00:11:22,267 - [Tom] What's crazy 294 00:11:22,371 --> 00:11:23,510 is that even a large chunk of vegetarians 295 00:11:23,613 --> 00:11:25,374 don't get enough fiber. 296 00:11:25,477 --> 00:11:27,963 As I continue to investigate the various reasons 297 00:11:28,066 --> 00:11:29,309 people give for not going vegan, 298 00:11:29,412 --> 00:11:31,276 I also ask friends and family members to help 299 00:11:31,380 --> 00:11:33,209 by sending the most common reasons they've heard. 300 00:11:33,313 --> 00:11:35,246 One that popped up a fair few times 301 00:11:35,349 --> 00:11:37,697 is this idea that consuming meat is masculine. 302 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:39,526 But what does it actually mean to be masculine? 303 00:11:39,629 --> 00:11:41,217 Does it mean the biggest? 304 00:11:41,321 --> 00:11:42,184 The strongest? 305 00:11:42,287 --> 00:11:43,392 The most athletic? 306 00:11:43,495 --> 00:11:45,428 A protector? Provider? 307 00:11:45,532 --> 00:11:47,189 A carer of those around him? 308 00:11:47,292 --> 00:11:49,260 Whatever it means, a large amount of people 309 00:11:49,363 --> 00:11:52,435 associate red meat with masculinity. 310 00:11:52,539 --> 00:11:54,403 I've heard people argue that it's because men are hunters 311 00:11:54,506 --> 00:11:57,717 and women are gatherers; therefore, we're masculine. 312 00:11:57,820 --> 00:11:59,995 But that scenario played out a long time ago. 313 00:12:00,098 --> 00:12:01,513 I'm not quite sure how shopping 314 00:12:01,617 --> 00:12:03,205 in the frozen aisle of your supermarket for a piece of meat 315 00:12:03,308 --> 00:12:05,897 screams masculinity in quite the same way. 316 00:12:06,001 --> 00:12:08,900 Despite this, growing up, I vividly remember adverts 317 00:12:09,004 --> 00:12:10,799 trying to sell manliness as a meal. 318 00:12:11,903 --> 00:12:14,250 ♪ I am man; hear me roar 319 00:12:14,354 --> 00:12:16,528 ♪ The number's too big to ignore ♪ 320 00:12:16,632 --> 00:12:21,499 ♪ And I'm way too hungry to settle for chick food ♪ 321 00:12:22,880 --> 00:12:24,019 ♪ 'Cause my stomach's starting to growl ♪ 322 00:12:24,122 --> 00:12:26,607 ♪ And I'm going on the prowl 323 00:12:26,711 --> 00:12:28,920 - [Tom] So just how big a role does advertisement play, 324 00:12:29,024 --> 00:12:31,233 and why is it so effective? 325 00:12:31,336 --> 00:12:34,098 - We don't notice it, because it's around us all the time, 326 00:12:34,201 --> 00:12:36,894 and it's until you stop and go, 327 00:12:36,997 --> 00:12:38,965 "What on earth is going on there?" 328 00:12:39,068 --> 00:12:40,656 that you suddenly start going, 329 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:42,554 "Well, that's really messed up, actually." 330 00:12:42,658 --> 00:12:46,075 Lying on her back in a very sexually provocative way, 331 00:12:46,179 --> 00:12:50,631 legs in the air with high heels on and fishnet stockings on. 332 00:12:50,735 --> 00:12:53,358 It's really quite a bizarre image. 333 00:12:53,462 --> 00:12:56,983 Men like to consume the bodies of women. 334 00:12:57,086 --> 00:12:59,468 Men like to consume meat as well. 335 00:12:59,571 --> 00:13:04,300 So in order to establish masculinity, manliness, 336 00:13:05,992 --> 00:13:08,339 you can kind of do that by engaging with the practice 337 00:13:08,442 --> 00:13:12,308 of consuming these bodies in this fragmented, 338 00:13:13,758 --> 00:13:15,139 objectified way. 339 00:13:15,242 --> 00:13:17,175 - Sex sells; it always has. 340 00:13:17,279 --> 00:13:18,625 And for years, men have been sold products 341 00:13:18,728 --> 00:13:20,385 based around masculinity and sex. 342 00:13:20,489 --> 00:13:23,009 I mean, the car and tobacco industries 343 00:13:23,112 --> 00:13:25,045 have been doing this for a long time. 344 00:13:26,115 --> 00:13:27,082 But it was perhaps the meat industry 345 00:13:27,185 --> 00:13:28,808 that took it to a whole new level. 346 00:13:28,911 --> 00:13:31,845 Attractive woman, reference to oral sex. 347 00:13:31,949 --> 00:13:34,330 Phallic-shaped object entering woman's open mouth. 348 00:13:34,434 --> 00:13:36,470 Aspirational penis size. 349 00:13:36,574 --> 00:13:39,163 "Eat this sandwich, be a man, get hungry, 350 00:13:39,266 --> 00:13:41,959 get horny, get fed, get laid." 351 00:13:42,062 --> 00:13:44,099 But seriously, is meat masculine, 352 00:13:44,202 --> 00:13:46,584 or is it just clever marketing? 353 00:13:46,687 --> 00:13:49,138 If advertisements focused on women consuming meat, 354 00:13:49,242 --> 00:13:50,588 then men would likely consume less meat. 355 00:13:50,691 --> 00:13:52,728 And it's believed that it's actually men suffering 356 00:13:52,832 --> 00:13:55,904 with masculine fragility that are more likely to eat meat. 357 00:13:56,007 --> 00:13:57,733 And what of the act of sex itself? 358 00:13:57,837 --> 00:13:59,010 [computer keyboard clacking] 359 00:13:59,114 --> 00:14:00,425 We know from various studies 360 00:14:00,529 --> 00:14:02,807 that high meat consumption can impact blood flow. 361 00:14:02,911 --> 00:14:04,188 And as you can imagine, 362 00:14:04,291 --> 00:14:06,811 healthy blood flow is essential for healthy erections. 363 00:14:06,915 --> 00:14:08,502 Whereas high consumption of plant foods 364 00:14:08,606 --> 00:14:10,953 can improve blood flow to the heart, brain, and the penis, 365 00:14:11,057 --> 00:14:12,403 thanks to flavonoids 366 00:14:12,506 --> 00:14:14,957 and cyanins found in various plant foods like apples, 367 00:14:15,061 --> 00:14:16,856 blueberries, and citrus fruits. 368 00:14:16,959 --> 00:14:19,375 Healthy blood flow, healthy erection. 369 00:14:20,169 --> 00:14:21,895 So with all that being said, 370 00:14:21,999 --> 00:14:24,656 is red meat really the most masculine choice? 371 00:14:27,556 --> 00:14:31,767 [laptop lid clunks] [cell phone buzzing] 372 00:14:31,871 --> 00:14:34,943 Now, I have no idea how my mum stumbled across this chap, 373 00:14:35,046 --> 00:14:37,117 but safe to say I was impressed. 374 00:14:37,221 --> 00:14:38,429 I wonder when he went vegan? 375 00:14:38,532 --> 00:14:40,258 I decided to go meet him and find out. 376 00:14:40,362 --> 00:14:42,295 There are a lot of people who believe, 377 00:14:42,398 --> 00:14:43,537 perhaps you get to a certain age 378 00:14:43,641 --> 00:14:45,229 and you think, you know, "There's no point 379 00:14:45,332 --> 00:14:47,369 in me changing anything now; it won't make a difference. 380 00:14:47,472 --> 00:14:49,405 You know, I've been this way all my life; what's the point?" 381 00:14:49,509 --> 00:14:50,959 - [Paul] My message has always been, 382 00:14:51,062 --> 00:14:52,581 it's never too late to do anything, you know? 383 00:14:52,684 --> 00:14:55,273 So I challenged myself to do a million press-ups 384 00:14:55,377 --> 00:14:57,172 between the age of 80 and 90. 385 00:14:57,275 --> 00:15:01,210 I wanna do 100 ultramarathons before my 100th birthday. 386 00:15:01,314 --> 00:15:02,902 - [Tom] Paul became vegan in his early 60s 387 00:15:03,005 --> 00:15:05,249 and didn't start running until he was 82. 388 00:15:05,352 --> 00:15:07,803 But has he seen any differences to his health by going vegan 389 00:15:07,907 --> 00:15:11,600 over 60 years into his life and starting running so late? 390 00:15:11,703 --> 00:15:13,222 - Well, I've got about 30 friends, 391 00:15:13,326 --> 00:15:15,569 email friends I see regularly, play cards with 392 00:15:15,673 --> 00:15:17,295 and go out walking with. 393 00:15:17,399 --> 00:15:19,608 All of them, without exception, 394 00:15:19,711 --> 00:15:21,644 are on some form of medication. 395 00:15:21,748 --> 00:15:23,267 I'm not. No meds, nothing. 396 00:15:23,370 --> 00:15:24,820 [gentle contemplative music] 397 00:15:24,924 --> 00:15:26,995 - [Tom] As incredible and aspirational as this sounded, 398 00:15:27,098 --> 00:15:28,755 it was also anecdotal. 399 00:15:28,858 --> 00:15:30,722 In reality, I can find individuals 400 00:15:30,826 --> 00:15:34,278 that champion any dietary pattern and claim to be thriving. 401 00:15:34,381 --> 00:15:36,142 What does the science say about longevity 402 00:15:36,245 --> 00:15:38,178 in a whole-food plant-based diet? 403 00:15:38,282 --> 00:15:39,973 Well, it turns out, Paul has a point; 404 00:15:40,077 --> 00:15:41,561 it really is never too late. 405 00:15:41,664 --> 00:15:44,426 If a 20-year-old switches from their standard Western diet 406 00:15:44,529 --> 00:15:45,530 to an optimal diet 407 00:15:45,634 --> 00:15:47,222 that is predominantly whole food plant-based, 408 00:15:47,325 --> 00:15:51,122 it's estimated to increase life expectancy by 13 years, 409 00:15:51,226 --> 00:15:53,400 even making a halfway transition to the optimal diet, 410 00:15:53,504 --> 00:15:55,885 and it's expected to add a further six years. 411 00:15:55,989 --> 00:15:57,232 That's because eating extra legumes 412 00:15:57,335 --> 00:15:59,406 can add over two years to life expectancy, 413 00:15:59,510 --> 00:16:03,100 whole grains another two years, and nuts 1.7 years. 414 00:16:03,203 --> 00:16:05,895 Of course, most people I know are older than 20, 415 00:16:05,999 --> 00:16:07,069 but that's the thing. 416 00:16:08,381 --> 00:16:10,176 60-year-olds making the change, just like Paul did, 417 00:16:10,279 --> 00:16:12,143 could live eight years longer, 418 00:16:12,247 --> 00:16:14,559 and 80-year-olds introducing these foods into their life 419 00:16:14,663 --> 00:16:17,597 could be expected to live a further 3.4 years. 420 00:16:19,012 --> 00:16:21,049 Paul was onto something with his claim about medication. 421 00:16:21,152 --> 00:16:23,189 Vegans are up to 58% less likely 422 00:16:23,292 --> 00:16:25,915 to require medication past the age of 60 than omnivores 423 00:16:26,019 --> 00:16:27,089 and vegetarians. 424 00:16:27,193 --> 00:16:29,471 [deep thoughtful music] 425 00:16:29,574 --> 00:16:31,162 At the end of my chat, Paul asked me 426 00:16:31,266 --> 00:16:33,337 if I wanted to join him on his next ultramarathon. 427 00:16:33,440 --> 00:16:34,855 I didn't really, let's be honest, 428 00:16:34,959 --> 00:16:36,271 but he's over 50 years older than me; 429 00:16:36,374 --> 00:16:37,651 I couldn't exactly say no, could I? 430 00:16:37,755 --> 00:16:38,514 - [Announcer] Three, two, one! 431 00:16:39,999 --> 00:16:40,930 Go! 432 00:16:41,034 --> 00:16:41,966 [crowd cheering] 433 00:16:42,070 --> 00:16:44,727 Good luck, everyone! Good luck! 434 00:16:44,831 --> 00:16:46,108 We'll see you when you get back. 435 00:16:46,212 --> 00:16:47,799 [contestants chattering] 436 00:16:47,903 --> 00:16:49,215 - [Tom] We're off, Paul. 437 00:16:49,318 --> 00:16:51,665 We're off. - We're off mate. Yeah. 438 00:16:51,769 --> 00:16:53,426 [contestants chattering] 439 00:16:53,529 --> 00:16:55,462 Put any disease that you think of 440 00:16:55,566 --> 00:16:58,603 next to a plant-based diet online and see what comes up. 441 00:16:58,707 --> 00:17:01,054 And inevitably, it'll say a plant-based diet 442 00:17:01,158 --> 00:17:04,506 is beneficial to any of those conditions. 443 00:17:04,609 --> 00:17:07,129 - [Tom] All right, Paul, challenge accepted. 444 00:17:07,233 --> 00:17:09,235 [deep thoughtful music] 445 00:17:09,338 --> 00:17:11,375 - What should we eat? 446 00:17:11,478 --> 00:17:14,550 What should everybody on the planet strive to eat? 447 00:17:14,654 --> 00:17:16,380 - The Global Burden of Disease study 448 00:17:16,483 --> 00:17:19,383 showed us that food has now overtaken other risk factors 449 00:17:19,486 --> 00:17:21,109 as being the biggest thing 450 00:17:21,212 --> 00:17:22,972 that drives chronic disease in the Western world. 451 00:17:23,076 --> 00:17:28,323 - 74% of the British adults are carrying excess weight. 452 00:17:29,358 --> 00:17:30,566 They're either overweight or obese. 453 00:17:30,670 --> 00:17:31,602 - When it comes to chronic disease risk, 454 00:17:31,705 --> 00:17:33,707 we know that genes only really account 455 00:17:33,811 --> 00:17:36,365 for between 10 to 15% of cases, 456 00:17:36,469 --> 00:17:38,195 and there is a huge amount that we can do 457 00:17:38,298 --> 00:17:39,817 in terms of our lifestyle. 458 00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:41,543 - Studies of populations over time 459 00:17:41,646 --> 00:17:43,855 show us that the more plants we eat, 460 00:17:43,959 --> 00:17:46,444 the less chances of heart disease we have in the future. 461 00:17:46,548 --> 00:17:49,275 - There is only one dietary component 462 00:17:49,378 --> 00:17:52,071 that consistently has been shown 463 00:17:52,174 --> 00:17:55,143 to increase one's risk of developing bowel cancer, 464 00:17:55,246 --> 00:17:56,627 and that's meat. 465 00:17:56,730 --> 00:18:00,079 Even consuming just 200 grams of fruits 466 00:18:00,182 --> 00:18:03,703 or vegetables per day can reduce your risk by 22%. 467 00:18:03,806 --> 00:18:07,534 That's one apple a day to keep the oncologist away. 468 00:18:07,638 --> 00:18:10,296 - Prostate cancer is the most common cancer 469 00:18:10,399 --> 00:18:11,780 that is diagnosed in men. 470 00:18:11,883 --> 00:18:14,058 - And hormone-dependent cancers are, in fact, 471 00:18:14,162 --> 00:18:15,715 more likely to be driven 472 00:18:15,818 --> 00:18:17,993 by the increased consumption of animal products, 473 00:18:18,097 --> 00:18:19,270 including meat and dairy. 474 00:18:19,374 --> 00:18:21,169 - So the World Cancer Research Fund states 475 00:18:21,272 --> 00:18:23,136 that "A healthy diet for cancer prevention 476 00:18:23,240 --> 00:18:25,725 is one that's centered around fruits, vegetables, 477 00:18:25,828 --> 00:18:27,451 whole grains, and beans." 478 00:18:27,554 --> 00:18:30,661 That's pretty much a whole-food, plant-based diet. 479 00:18:30,764 --> 00:18:32,180 The American College of Cardiology 480 00:18:32,283 --> 00:18:33,664 recommends a plant-based diet 481 00:18:33,767 --> 00:18:36,011 for preventing cardiovascular disease. 482 00:18:36,115 --> 00:18:38,876 So that's our two top killers taken care of there and then. 483 00:18:38,979 --> 00:18:41,844 - Eight out of 10 women will suffer from hot flushes, 484 00:18:41,948 --> 00:18:46,573 and we know that historically, women who have eaten 485 00:18:46,677 --> 00:18:47,850 whole plant foods, 486 00:18:47,954 --> 00:18:50,232 women who have soya regularly in their diet 487 00:18:50,336 --> 00:18:51,889 tend to suffer less. 488 00:18:51,992 --> 00:18:53,477 - The American College of Clinical Endocrinologists 489 00:18:53,580 --> 00:18:55,341 recommends a plant-based diet 490 00:18:55,444 --> 00:18:57,964 as a first-line prevention for type 2 diabetes. 491 00:18:58,067 --> 00:19:01,174 - My own father was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 492 00:19:01,278 --> 00:19:02,106 in his 50s. 493 00:19:02,210 --> 00:19:04,039 - I think the penny dropped 494 00:19:04,143 --> 00:19:08,802 when I realized that I was losing my vision in both eyes. 495 00:19:08,906 --> 00:19:10,321 - And he put it into remission 496 00:19:10,425 --> 00:19:12,703 using a whole-food, plant-based diet. 497 00:19:12,806 --> 00:19:16,224 - I felt much healthier, and I'm in remission 498 00:19:16,327 --> 00:19:18,226 with regard to the diabetes. 499 00:19:18,329 --> 00:19:21,056 - Irritable bowel syndrome, digestive discomfort, 500 00:19:21,160 --> 00:19:23,196 bloating, gas, indigestion 501 00:19:23,300 --> 00:19:26,095 affecting more than one in five people. 502 00:19:26,199 --> 00:19:30,099 We have got to look at the food on our plate. 503 00:19:30,203 --> 00:19:31,411 Because the science clearly tells us 504 00:19:31,515 --> 00:19:33,482 that the standard Western diet, 505 00:19:33,586 --> 00:19:36,761 which is a high meat, high dairy, high processed food, 506 00:19:36,865 --> 00:19:40,075 high junk food diet, a plant-deficient diet, 507 00:19:40,179 --> 00:19:43,630 is the perfect diet to generate terrible digestive health. 508 00:19:43,734 --> 00:19:45,977 - You know, when you read the studies, 509 00:19:46,081 --> 00:19:48,325 the stats tell us that 80% 510 00:19:48,428 --> 00:19:50,568 of the chronic illnesses that we see in the NHS 511 00:19:50,672 --> 00:19:52,708 could be pretty much wiped out 512 00:19:54,089 --> 00:19:58,024 if we, as a population or citizens, adopted a healthy diet 513 00:19:58,127 --> 00:20:00,406 and other healthy lifestyle behaviors. 514 00:20:00,509 --> 00:20:04,237 - It's not about labeling yourself as vegan or plant-based, 515 00:20:04,341 --> 00:20:05,583 or even flexitarian. 516 00:20:05,687 --> 00:20:07,827 It's about choosing to build your meals 517 00:20:07,930 --> 00:20:09,346 from the ingredients 518 00:20:09,449 --> 00:20:11,762 that are proven to benefit human health. 519 00:20:11,865 --> 00:20:14,696 - If we shifted the whole of our population 520 00:20:14,799 --> 00:20:18,458 towards a plant-based diet, whether it's 85%, 90%, 521 00:20:18,562 --> 00:20:20,943 or even 100% for those that can do it, 522 00:20:21,047 --> 00:20:24,568 we would radically reduce our risk of illness, 523 00:20:24,671 --> 00:20:26,397 and that would make my life so much easier 524 00:20:26,501 --> 00:20:27,847 as a cancer doctor. 525 00:20:27,950 --> 00:20:29,711 - [Tom] My nan died of a massive heart attack 526 00:20:29,814 --> 00:20:30,677 a few years ago. 527 00:20:30,781 --> 00:20:32,231 Since then, I've lost other relatives 528 00:20:32,334 --> 00:20:33,922 to various chronic illnesses. 529 00:20:34,025 --> 00:20:35,786 I never once spoke to them about the food they ate 530 00:20:35,889 --> 00:20:37,097 or their lifestyle. 531 00:20:37,201 --> 00:20:38,409 Maybe it wouldn't have made a difference, 532 00:20:38,513 --> 00:20:40,066 but maybe it would. 533 00:20:40,169 --> 00:20:42,827 The real kicker is the fact that I didn't even try. 534 00:20:44,381 --> 00:20:47,591 Over in Scotland, Sophia has very kindly invited me 535 00:20:47,694 --> 00:20:51,284 to watch her defend her British at the Powerlifting Champs. 536 00:20:51,388 --> 00:20:52,906 Powerlifting consists of three attempts 537 00:20:53,010 --> 00:20:54,529 at three different exercises: 538 00:20:54,632 --> 00:20:57,290 Squat, bench, and deadlift. 539 00:20:57,394 --> 00:20:59,568 In an ideal world, you make the lift, 540 00:20:59,672 --> 00:21:02,399 then you increase the weight on your next attempt. 541 00:21:02,502 --> 00:21:03,814 Sophia is off to a great start 542 00:21:03,917 --> 00:21:07,990 with two fantastic opening lifts of 157.5 kilograms 543 00:21:08,094 --> 00:21:10,303 and 165 kilograms. 544 00:21:10,407 --> 00:21:13,651 On her third squat, she's going for 170 kilograms. 545 00:21:15,584 --> 00:21:18,898 [upbeat techno music] 546 00:21:26,561 --> 00:21:28,494 [audience cheering] 547 00:21:28,597 --> 00:21:29,909 [audience applauding] 548 00:21:30,012 --> 00:21:31,255 And she nails it. 549 00:21:31,359 --> 00:21:32,601 But I quickly learn, 550 00:21:32,705 --> 00:21:34,810 it's not gonna be plain sailing for Sophia. 551 00:21:34,914 --> 00:21:36,260 She's got some strict competition 552 00:21:36,364 --> 00:21:37,917 in the name of Susanna Argile. 553 00:21:39,159 --> 00:21:41,472 Susanna is about to attempt the British record 554 00:21:41,576 --> 00:21:44,993 with a massive 198-kilogram squat. 555 00:21:45,096 --> 00:21:49,480 [upbeat techno music continues] 556 00:21:49,584 --> 00:21:50,447 [audience cheering] 557 00:21:50,550 --> 00:21:52,414 - [Announcer] It's a good lift! 558 00:21:52,518 --> 00:21:55,831 And a new British record for Susan Argile! 559 00:21:57,902 --> 00:22:00,526 - [Tom] At the end of round one, Susanna's in the lead, 560 00:22:00,629 --> 00:22:03,529 with Sophia back in third place. 561 00:22:03,632 --> 00:22:05,427 [upbeat techno music] 562 00:22:05,531 --> 00:22:08,810 [car engine whirring] 563 00:22:08,913 --> 00:22:11,606 Back in Barcelona, Mike is off to a great start, 564 00:22:11,709 --> 00:22:12,986 as he tells me when we meet up with him 565 00:22:13,090 --> 00:22:14,160 at the first checkpoint. 566 00:22:14,263 --> 00:22:15,334 - Yeah, pretty good. 567 00:22:16,507 --> 00:22:17,577 Reasonably fresh. 568 00:22:17,681 --> 00:22:20,684 Just been taking it slowly. [sniffs] 569 00:22:20,787 --> 00:22:22,893 Trying to go as slow as possible. [laughs] 570 00:22:22,996 --> 00:22:24,170 - [Tom] You're ahead of schedule then? 571 00:22:24,273 --> 00:22:25,861 - Yeah, a little bit. 572 00:22:25,965 --> 00:22:28,312 - [Tom] The weather is truly awful. 573 00:22:28,416 --> 00:22:30,728 Worse than in the UK, if you can believe that. 574 00:22:30,832 --> 00:22:32,868 But it's not deterred Mike in the slightest. 575 00:22:34,767 --> 00:22:36,458 - I'm pretty pleased that it's light now, 576 00:22:36,562 --> 00:22:38,322 and now still feeling reasonably good. 577 00:22:38,426 --> 00:22:40,531 The legs are still working pretty well. 578 00:22:41,567 --> 00:22:43,776 So 76 kilometers. 579 00:22:43,879 --> 00:22:45,881 Yeah, I'm still feeling reasonably fresh. 580 00:22:47,400 --> 00:22:50,576 Yeah, avocado and bean wraps are the best. 581 00:22:50,679 --> 00:22:54,338 [people chattering] 582 00:22:54,442 --> 00:22:55,477 See you tomorrow. - Yep, yeah. 583 00:22:55,581 --> 00:22:56,754 - Yeah. - Have a good time. 584 00:22:56,858 --> 00:22:58,169 - Bye. [contestant laughing] 585 00:22:58,273 --> 00:23:01,000 - [Tom] And just like that, Mike's back on his way, 586 00:23:01,103 --> 00:23:03,451 and is two hours ahead of the current record. 587 00:23:07,903 --> 00:23:09,215 While out on a walk with Chan, 588 00:23:09,318 --> 00:23:10,837 my mum kindly sent me another argument 589 00:23:10,941 --> 00:23:12,011 she's had quite a lot over the years. 590 00:23:12,114 --> 00:23:15,566 [cell phone buzzing] 591 00:23:15,670 --> 00:23:18,604 It was a good question because I also hear this a lot. 592 00:23:18,707 --> 00:23:20,295 So, is it more expensive? 593 00:23:20,399 --> 00:23:21,538 [tense thoughtful music] 594 00:23:21,641 --> 00:23:22,918 - Some people really think so. 595 00:23:23,022 --> 00:23:26,784 And if you go to some supermarket chains, 596 00:23:26,888 --> 00:23:29,200 you might get away with that impression, 597 00:23:29,304 --> 00:23:32,203 especially if you buy sort of highly processed, you know, 598 00:23:32,307 --> 00:23:33,688 burger replacements. 599 00:23:33,791 --> 00:23:36,138 But based on basic ingredients, 600 00:23:36,242 --> 00:23:37,657 on the cost of basic ingredients, 601 00:23:37,761 --> 00:23:39,245 it doesn't seem to be the case. 602 00:23:39,348 --> 00:23:41,730 We wanted to really dig out some data 603 00:23:41,834 --> 00:23:44,733 and look at how expensive different, healthy, 604 00:23:44,837 --> 00:23:46,597 and more sustainable dietary patterns, 605 00:23:46,701 --> 00:23:49,876 including a vegan dietary pattern, would actually be. 606 00:23:49,980 --> 00:23:51,499 The biggest cost reduction we found 607 00:23:51,602 --> 00:23:54,916 for vegan dietary patterns, 608 00:23:55,019 --> 00:23:57,574 and the least for pescatarian dietary patterns. 609 00:23:57,677 --> 00:23:58,989 Those could actually be more expensive 610 00:23:59,092 --> 00:24:00,439 in high-income countries. 611 00:24:00,542 --> 00:24:01,681 One thing to illustrate this 612 00:24:01,785 --> 00:24:03,545 is if we look at the weekly cost 613 00:24:03,649 --> 00:24:06,583 of a normal food basket for one person, 614 00:24:06,686 --> 00:24:09,689 in the US or other high-income countries, 615 00:24:09,793 --> 00:24:12,140 it would be about $50 per week. 616 00:24:12,243 --> 00:24:16,006 You can cut that down to just a little bit over $30 617 00:24:16,109 --> 00:24:18,249 if you were to buy the ingredients 618 00:24:18,353 --> 00:24:20,320 for a vegetarian or vegan diet. 619 00:24:20,424 --> 00:24:21,563 - [Tom] Clearly, there's a cheap 620 00:24:21,667 --> 00:24:22,909 and expensive way to eat vegan foods, 621 00:24:23,013 --> 00:24:24,670 so processed foods obviously play their part 622 00:24:24,773 --> 00:24:26,223 in why people think this way. 623 00:24:26,326 --> 00:24:28,674 Plant-based milks are also 60% more expensive 624 00:24:28,777 --> 00:24:30,538 than their dairy counterparts. 625 00:24:30,641 --> 00:24:31,849 And this is troubling when a large portion of people 626 00:24:31,953 --> 00:24:33,817 are actually intolerant to dairy. 627 00:24:34,680 --> 00:24:35,922 But what about fruits? 628 00:24:36,026 --> 00:24:37,648 Cost of fruit is believed to be the barrier 629 00:24:37,752 --> 00:24:39,581 from stopping 1/3 of people in the UK 630 00:24:39,685 --> 00:24:41,134 from eating enough of it. 631 00:24:41,238 --> 00:24:42,550 And somehow, 632 00:24:42,653 --> 00:24:44,690 this means that four ultra-processed beef burgers 633 00:24:44,793 --> 00:24:47,244 are actually often cheaper than four apples. 634 00:24:47,347 --> 00:24:48,521 And upon further research, 635 00:24:48,625 --> 00:24:51,110 I seem to find an explanation for this: 636 00:24:51,213 --> 00:24:56,080 $540 billion has been dished out in government subsidies. 637 00:24:57,288 --> 00:24:58,704 I mean, subsidies don't have to be a bad thing. 638 00:24:58,807 --> 00:24:59,877 Surely, if used correctly, 639 00:24:59,981 --> 00:25:01,569 they could both drive food prices down 640 00:25:01,672 --> 00:25:04,606 and protect a global food system that works for all. 641 00:25:04,710 --> 00:25:05,918 But when used incorrectly, 642 00:25:06,021 --> 00:25:07,540 then nearly all the money pumped in 643 00:25:07,644 --> 00:25:09,749 could harm people's health, the planet's health, 644 00:25:09,853 --> 00:25:11,751 and drive inequality. 645 00:25:11,855 --> 00:25:13,097 The biggest beneficiary of these subsidies 646 00:25:13,201 --> 00:25:16,238 is animal agriculture, such as beef and dairy. 647 00:25:16,342 --> 00:25:18,413 In the UK and many other countries, 648 00:25:18,517 --> 00:25:20,311 livestock farmers simply wouldn't survive 649 00:25:20,415 --> 00:25:21,934 without the taxpayer. 650 00:25:22,037 --> 00:25:24,246 In Wales, a country where a large amount of land 651 00:25:24,350 --> 00:25:26,766 is used to farm sheep, the average farmer's income 652 00:25:26,870 --> 00:25:28,872 hovers around zero pound per year, 653 00:25:28,975 --> 00:25:30,874 meaning almost all the money a farmer receives 654 00:25:30,977 --> 00:25:32,979 comes from public subsidies. 655 00:25:33,083 --> 00:25:35,085 What's worse is that the majority of subsidies 656 00:25:35,188 --> 00:25:37,605 around the world don't even benefit local farmers. 657 00:25:37,708 --> 00:25:39,848 In the US, 10% of farmers mop up 658 00:25:39,952 --> 00:25:42,299 77% of their country's subsidies. 659 00:25:42,402 --> 00:25:43,887 In the EU, 660 00:25:43,990 --> 00:25:45,647 they get the money based on every hectare of land farmed. 661 00:25:45,751 --> 00:25:49,306 The landowners, i.e. the rich, just get richer. 662 00:25:50,997 --> 00:25:53,172 I wondered about how much money arable farmers get. 663 00:25:53,275 --> 00:25:56,037 And thankfully, I had just the person to ask. 664 00:25:56,140 --> 00:25:59,419 So I decided to head over to Iain Tolhurst's organic farm, 665 00:25:59,523 --> 00:26:00,697 in slow motion. 666 00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:03,113 Do you benefit from any subsidization? 667 00:26:03,216 --> 00:26:05,322 - No, at the moment, we don't get any subsidies at all. 668 00:26:05,425 --> 00:26:07,738 We have had little bits of money in the past. 669 00:26:07,842 --> 00:26:10,776 It was never more than 0.3% of our turnover. 670 00:26:10,879 --> 00:26:12,329 - [Tom] How can that be? 671 00:26:12,432 --> 00:26:14,434 This is one of the richest countries in the world, 672 00:26:14,538 --> 00:26:15,815 and yet people have clearly stated 673 00:26:15,919 --> 00:26:17,576 they can't afford to eat certain fruits and veg 674 00:26:17,679 --> 00:26:18,922 because of cost. 675 00:26:19,025 --> 00:26:20,509 A country where only 8% of children aged between 11 676 00:26:20,613 --> 00:26:23,582 and 18 are eating enough fruits and vegetables, 677 00:26:23,685 --> 00:26:25,480 yet we're offering a pittance in subsidies 678 00:26:25,584 --> 00:26:26,895 to arable farmers. 679 00:26:26,999 --> 00:26:29,415 - So if governments wanted to make a difference, 680 00:26:29,518 --> 00:26:31,141 they would subsidize the price of fruit 681 00:26:31,244 --> 00:26:33,868 and vegetables at the point of sale. 682 00:26:33,971 --> 00:26:35,594 - [Tom] But that isn't what governments are doing, 683 00:26:35,697 --> 00:26:38,217 so it turns out that is why four apples 684 00:26:38,320 --> 00:26:40,840 cost more than four processed beef burgers. 685 00:26:40,944 --> 00:26:45,949 [dog panting] [deep thoughtful music] 686 00:26:48,192 --> 00:26:51,195 [cell phone buzzing] 687 00:26:53,094 --> 00:26:54,509 This really got me thinking, 688 00:26:54,613 --> 00:26:56,822 because if animals are here for us to eat, 689 00:26:56,925 --> 00:26:58,271 then which animals do we mean? 690 00:27:02,793 --> 00:27:04,139 [light thoughtful music] 691 00:27:04,243 --> 00:27:06,970 There are currently over 6,300 species of mammal, 692 00:27:08,488 --> 00:27:11,319 and a further 10,000 species of bird. 693 00:27:11,422 --> 00:27:13,804 Yet in the UK, US, and the majority of the West, 694 00:27:13,908 --> 00:27:15,392 we only eat a handful. 695 00:27:15,495 --> 00:27:19,810 We eat the same animals over and over and over again. 696 00:27:19,914 --> 00:27:23,089 The UK's meat consumption is actually currently reducing, 697 00:27:23,193 --> 00:27:26,955 but we still kill and consume 2.6 million cows and calves, 698 00:27:27,059 --> 00:27:31,028 10 million pigs, 14.5 million sheep and lambs, 699 00:27:31,132 --> 00:27:34,169 and over 950 million birds each year. 700 00:27:35,584 --> 00:27:39,243 In the US, it's more like 34 million cows and calves, 701 00:27:39,347 --> 00:27:41,625 131 million pigs, 702 00:27:41,729 --> 00:27:44,835 and 9.3 billion chickens. 703 00:27:44,939 --> 00:27:50,013 In one country, in one year, they eat 9.3 billion chickens. 704 00:27:51,428 --> 00:27:55,708 And worryingly, in the US, meat consumption is on the rise. 705 00:27:57,089 --> 00:27:58,953 If these animals really are here for us to eat, 706 00:27:59,056 --> 00:28:01,162 then why do we eat so few? 707 00:28:01,265 --> 00:28:03,992 There's literally thousands of species to choose from. 708 00:28:04,096 --> 00:28:06,823 - In meat-eating cultures around the world, 709 00:28:06,926 --> 00:28:10,067 people learn to classify a small handful of animals 710 00:28:10,171 --> 00:28:11,517 as edible. 711 00:28:11,620 --> 00:28:12,967 All the rest they classify as inedible 712 00:28:13,070 --> 00:28:16,936 and often disgusting and even offensive to consume. 713 00:28:17,040 --> 00:28:20,457 So, even though the type of animal consumed 714 00:28:20,560 --> 00:28:24,495 changes from culture to culture, all cultures tend to think 715 00:28:24,599 --> 00:28:26,428 of their own choices as rational 716 00:28:26,532 --> 00:28:28,741 and the choices of other cultures as irrational 717 00:28:28,845 --> 00:28:30,985 and often even offensive. 718 00:28:31,088 --> 00:28:32,193 - [Tom] In other parts of the world, 719 00:28:32,296 --> 00:28:33,608 they do eat vastly different animals 720 00:28:33,712 --> 00:28:37,301 to the ones we consume in the UK, US, and most of Europe. 721 00:28:37,405 --> 00:28:39,752 In Japan, they eat wasp crackers, tuna's eyeballs, 722 00:28:39,856 --> 00:28:41,133 and dolphin. 723 00:28:41,236 --> 00:28:43,273 In France, you can order frog risotto. 724 00:28:43,376 --> 00:28:45,413 In parts of Cambodia, they fry spiders. 725 00:28:46,863 --> 00:28:49,486 And in parts of Asia, they eat cats and dogs. 726 00:28:49,589 --> 00:28:53,801 Animals that in the US, it's not only morally frowned upon, 727 00:28:53,904 --> 00:28:55,319 but it's illegal. 728 00:28:56,562 --> 00:28:58,771 - In the West, for example, we don't eat dogs, 729 00:28:58,875 --> 00:29:01,567 but in the East, in some places, people do eat dogs. 730 00:29:01,670 --> 00:29:03,086 But they don't eat all kinds of dogs. 731 00:29:03,189 --> 00:29:04,397 They eat certain kinds of dogs. 732 00:29:04,501 --> 00:29:07,297 So, it's offensive to eat certain breeds, 733 00:29:07,400 --> 00:29:10,093 but eating dogs who are mixed breeds 734 00:29:10,196 --> 00:29:12,785 is not offensive to many people. 735 00:29:12,889 --> 00:29:17,065 So, there really is not a rational classification 736 00:29:17,169 --> 00:29:19,930 for why certain animals are deemed edible 737 00:29:20,034 --> 00:29:21,138 and others are not. 738 00:29:21,242 --> 00:29:22,174 - [Tom] Why don't we farm and eat dogs 739 00:29:22,277 --> 00:29:23,900 like they do in large parts of Asia? 740 00:29:24,003 --> 00:29:25,694 It'd be quite easy to manage. 741 00:29:25,798 --> 00:29:27,179 Dogs are docile. 742 00:29:27,282 --> 00:29:28,387 That's why we test on thousands of them every year 743 00:29:28,490 --> 00:29:30,665 in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. 744 00:29:30,769 --> 00:29:33,426 It would probably be just as easy to farm and eat them, too. 745 00:29:33,530 --> 00:29:37,361 - When we look at a hamburger, we see food, 746 00:29:37,465 --> 00:29:39,639 we don't see dead animals. 747 00:29:39,743 --> 00:29:42,366 And we feel appetized often, anyway. 748 00:29:42,470 --> 00:29:45,266 We feel appetized rather than disgusted. 749 00:29:45,369 --> 00:29:47,889 Now, if somebody were to tell us that that hamburger 750 00:29:47,993 --> 00:29:49,684 was made from a golden retriever, 751 00:29:49,788 --> 00:29:54,689 chances are we would automatically see that hamburger now 752 00:29:54,793 --> 00:29:57,036 as a dead animal rather than as food, 753 00:29:57,140 --> 00:30:00,626 and we would automatically feel disgusted, 754 00:30:00,729 --> 00:30:05,079 and often perhaps even sad, rather than appetized. 755 00:30:05,182 --> 00:30:06,908 - [Tom] 26% of the UK population 756 00:30:07,012 --> 00:30:10,325 have a dog as a companion animal, and 24% have a cat. 757 00:30:11,637 --> 00:30:13,915 People the world over love their cats and dogs. 758 00:30:14,019 --> 00:30:16,090 Although clearly not everywhere. 759 00:30:16,193 --> 00:30:17,401 In China, anywhere between 10 760 00:30:17,505 --> 00:30:20,508 and 20 million dogs are killed every year, 761 00:30:20,611 --> 00:30:21,923 five million in Vietnam, 762 00:30:22,027 --> 00:30:23,925 and another two million in South Korea. 763 00:30:24,029 --> 00:30:25,271 Which is why so many people in the West 764 00:30:25,375 --> 00:30:27,584 campaign passionately against it. 765 00:30:27,687 --> 00:30:28,619 But why? 766 00:30:28,723 --> 00:30:29,897 What's the point? 767 00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:32,623 I mean, in India, Hindus consider cows sacred, 768 00:30:32,727 --> 00:30:36,006 yet we eat over 2 1/2 million every year in the UK. 769 00:30:36,110 --> 00:30:37,870 Should they protest and sign petitions? 770 00:30:37,974 --> 00:30:39,354 Would we listen? 771 00:30:39,458 --> 00:30:41,909 Why do these ethical double standards exist? 772 00:30:43,220 --> 00:30:45,015 Why can you donate to help prevent animal cruelty 773 00:30:45,119 --> 00:30:47,259 on the oldest animal charity website, 774 00:30:47,362 --> 00:30:49,157 but then on their assurance scheme website 775 00:30:49,261 --> 00:30:51,504 find recipes on the best ways to cook the animals? 776 00:30:53,058 --> 00:30:55,025 If these animals are truly here for us to eat, 777 00:30:55,129 --> 00:30:57,786 we seem to be particularly selective in which ones we mean. 778 00:30:57,890 --> 00:30:59,202 The idea of chopping up my dog 779 00:30:59,305 --> 00:31:01,825 and eating his flesh is a truly horrible one. 780 00:31:01,929 --> 00:31:04,379 But how different is it really? 781 00:31:04,483 --> 00:31:07,417 [dog faintly barking] 782 00:31:09,729 --> 00:31:11,179 [cell phone buzzing] 783 00:31:11,283 --> 00:31:13,561 [Tom groans] 784 00:31:17,220 --> 00:31:18,359 - [Cody] Tom, it's Cody. 785 00:31:18,462 --> 00:31:19,256 Quick question. 786 00:31:19,360 --> 00:31:21,051 What makes people turn vegan? 787 00:31:21,155 --> 00:31:23,502 I mean, we've been eating meat since cavemen times. 788 00:31:23,605 --> 00:31:26,367 There's cave paintings of cavemen hunting animals. 789 00:31:26,470 --> 00:31:30,026 There's no cave paintings of cavemen digging vegetables. 790 00:31:30,129 --> 00:31:32,821 Also, talking of animals, animals eat other animals. 791 00:31:32,925 --> 00:31:33,650 I'm an animal. 792 00:31:33,753 --> 00:31:35,031 You're an animal. 793 00:31:35,134 --> 00:31:37,274 You know, we've even got the same teeth as animals. 794 00:31:37,378 --> 00:31:38,862 Carnivorous animals, anyway. 795 00:31:38,966 --> 00:31:40,312 You know, canines and all that. 796 00:31:40,415 --> 00:31:42,901 I'll send you a picture of me teeth, just to clarify. 797 00:31:43,004 --> 00:31:44,868 Anyway, sorry if I've ruined your trip. 798 00:31:44,972 --> 00:31:45,904 Enjoy this and- 799 00:31:46,007 --> 00:31:48,078 [cell phone beeps] [Tom sighs] 800 00:31:48,182 --> 00:31:51,564 [cell phone buzzing] 801 00:31:51,668 --> 00:31:52,945 - [Tom] My friend's mouth 802 00:31:53,049 --> 00:31:54,671 gave me a newfound respect for dentists. 803 00:31:54,774 --> 00:31:56,052 But I was curious to know, 804 00:31:56,155 --> 00:31:57,329 who has the biggest canines in the animal kingdom? 805 00:31:57,432 --> 00:31:59,710 It's probably not what you're expecting. 806 00:31:59,814 --> 00:32:03,059 The hippopotamus has the largest teeth of any land animal. 807 00:32:03,162 --> 00:32:06,579 Their canines can reach up to 1.5 feet. 808 00:32:06,683 --> 00:32:08,443 But they eat grass and fruit. 809 00:32:08,547 --> 00:32:10,031 They don't eat meat. 810 00:32:10,135 --> 00:32:11,895 And sure, some animals, like lions, 811 00:32:11,999 --> 00:32:13,759 use their canines to tear away at meat, 812 00:32:13,862 --> 00:32:15,795 but others use it for social signaling 813 00:32:15,899 --> 00:32:17,590 and to help defend external threats. 814 00:32:19,075 --> 00:32:21,042 Basically, I'm not sure the mere presence of canines 815 00:32:21,146 --> 00:32:22,837 really proves anything. 816 00:32:22,941 --> 00:32:25,529 I mean, have you tried tearing raw meat with your canines? 817 00:32:25,633 --> 00:32:27,704 Because some people actually have, and it's not easy. 818 00:32:27,807 --> 00:32:29,499 [computer keyboard clacking] 819 00:32:29,602 --> 00:32:31,846 It's not what our teeth are designed for. 820 00:32:31,950 --> 00:32:35,332 They're built for crushing and grinding, not for slicing. 821 00:32:35,436 --> 00:32:36,644 That's why they move side to side. 822 00:32:36,747 --> 00:32:38,301 But what about this argument 823 00:32:38,404 --> 00:32:39,958 that we're all part of the animal kingdom 824 00:32:40,061 --> 00:32:41,200 and we should follow the lead of the big cats 825 00:32:41,304 --> 00:32:42,822 and other predators? 826 00:32:42,926 --> 00:32:44,548 I mean, they're not vegan, right? 827 00:32:44,652 --> 00:32:48,518 - And I'm just gonna say absolutely, they're not vegan. 828 00:32:48,621 --> 00:32:51,003 And they'll kill each other for their survival. 829 00:32:52,073 --> 00:32:54,524 But animals also don't fly planes. 830 00:32:54,627 --> 00:32:55,628 They don't go to space. 831 00:32:55,732 --> 00:32:58,114 They don't have Amazon delivery. 832 00:32:58,217 --> 00:33:01,496 So, to compare us to the animals 833 00:33:01,600 --> 00:33:03,222 doesn't really work as an argument. 834 00:33:03,326 --> 00:33:05,466 - [Tom] What were our ancestors' diets like? 835 00:33:05,569 --> 00:33:06,536 Was it all meat? 836 00:33:06,639 --> 00:33:07,537 Did they eat plants? 837 00:33:07,640 --> 00:33:08,607 What about whole grains? 838 00:33:08,710 --> 00:33:10,022 Does it even matter? 839 00:33:10,126 --> 00:33:12,197 - The take-home message is that these hominins, 840 00:33:12,300 --> 00:33:15,165 they would eat whatever they could get in their mouth 841 00:33:15,269 --> 00:33:17,961 and get some nutritional value from. 842 00:33:18,065 --> 00:33:19,376 - Our ancestors ate to survive. 843 00:33:19,480 --> 00:33:22,552 They ate meat and plants for that reason. 844 00:33:22,655 --> 00:33:24,795 And probably more plants than most people realize. 845 00:33:24,899 --> 00:33:26,176 There's also evidence to suggest 846 00:33:26,280 --> 00:33:29,179 we've been eating whole grains for 100,000 years. 847 00:33:29,283 --> 00:33:31,595 But even if there wasn't any evidence to suggest that, 848 00:33:31,699 --> 00:33:33,114 who cares? 849 00:33:33,218 --> 00:33:34,943 Our ancestors were trying to make it to the next meal 850 00:33:35,047 --> 00:33:36,462 and avoid starvation. 851 00:33:36,566 --> 00:33:38,809 Humans today live in a much more complex society 852 00:33:38,913 --> 00:33:40,052 than our ancestors. 853 00:33:40,156 --> 00:33:42,054 We ask moral and ethical questions. 854 00:33:42,158 --> 00:33:43,814 We want to know what's good for the planet. 855 00:33:43,918 --> 00:33:44,988 What's good for us. 856 00:33:45,092 --> 00:33:46,541 What's good for our wallet. 857 00:33:46,645 --> 00:33:48,681 Here in the West, we're trying to avoid the chronic diseases 858 00:33:48,785 --> 00:33:49,993 that are our biggest killers, 859 00:33:50,097 --> 00:33:51,615 so doesn't it make sense to eat the foods 860 00:33:51,719 --> 00:33:53,031 that help them achieve that, 861 00:33:53,134 --> 00:33:55,205 regardless of how many of them our ancestors ate? 862 00:33:55,309 --> 00:33:57,173 I mean, there's so much evidence for eating a diet 863 00:33:57,276 --> 00:33:59,037 that's rich in plants and whole grains, 864 00:33:59,140 --> 00:34:00,900 so would it really matter one way or another 865 00:34:01,004 --> 00:34:04,180 if our ancestors, 150,000 years ago, didn't eat them? 866 00:34:05,319 --> 00:34:07,114 [cell phone buzzing] 867 00:34:07,217 --> 00:34:09,047 [groans] I'm tryna sleep here. 868 00:34:10,220 --> 00:34:12,429 [Tom sighs] 869 00:34:12,533 --> 00:34:14,017 - [Cody] Hey up, it's Cody again. 870 00:34:14,121 --> 00:34:15,984 I've just thought of a fourth one actually: 871 00:34:16,088 --> 00:34:17,676 It's vegan food. 872 00:34:17,779 --> 00:34:19,850 It's foul, honestly. 873 00:34:19,954 --> 00:34:20,955 Anyway, I'll say that- 874 00:34:21,059 --> 00:34:23,509 [light thoughtful music] 875 00:34:23,613 --> 00:34:25,615 - [Tom] Is vegan food terrible then? 876 00:34:25,718 --> 00:34:27,444 How come so many people are genuinely surprised 877 00:34:27,548 --> 00:34:28,411 when they eat something vegan 878 00:34:28,514 --> 00:34:30,275 and find they actually like it? 879 00:34:30,378 --> 00:34:31,241 - "Oh, that's not bad. 880 00:34:31,345 --> 00:34:32,932 This is vegan food?" 881 00:34:33,036 --> 00:34:35,245 And slowly you start to see them open up 882 00:34:35,349 --> 00:34:37,178 and go, "Oh, I could probably do... 883 00:34:37,282 --> 00:34:38,317 What's the name of that one? 884 00:34:38,421 --> 00:34:39,215 Is that recipe in this book here? 885 00:34:39,318 --> 00:34:40,250 Okay, great." 886 00:34:40,354 --> 00:34:42,149 And when they taste the food 887 00:34:42,252 --> 00:34:44,012 and realize that it's really tasty, 888 00:34:44,116 --> 00:34:46,981 then they kinda go, "And this is gonna make me healthier?" 889 00:34:47,085 --> 00:34:48,051 - "It's affordable. 890 00:34:48,155 --> 00:34:49,397 This is gonna make me lose weight. 891 00:34:49,501 --> 00:34:50,743 This is gonna help me lower cholesterol. 892 00:34:50,847 --> 00:34:51,951 This is gonna fill me up. 893 00:34:52,055 --> 00:34:54,057 This is gonna make me have more money. 894 00:34:54,161 --> 00:34:56,508 And it's gonna save me on healthcare costs." 895 00:34:56,611 --> 00:34:58,303 And suddenly, you start realizing 896 00:34:58,406 --> 00:35:01,133 how much this can affect your life in a positive way. 897 00:35:01,237 --> 00:35:03,411 Suddenly, you go, "Oh, I'm gonna do more of this." 898 00:35:03,515 --> 00:35:05,551 - [Tom] I was fortunate to spend some time with them, 899 00:35:05,655 --> 00:35:07,277 get an idea of how they approach cooking, 900 00:35:07,381 --> 00:35:09,693 and also put together a couple of delicious meals. 901 00:35:09,797 --> 00:35:12,006 - Typically, you're using fresh ingredients. 902 00:35:12,110 --> 00:35:13,939 You're using herbs, you're using spices, 903 00:35:14,042 --> 00:35:15,699 you're using things in season. 904 00:35:15,803 --> 00:35:18,392 As a society, we're very addicted to a certain type of food. 905 00:35:18,495 --> 00:35:20,842 And it's not until you can wean yourself off that 906 00:35:20,946 --> 00:35:23,086 that you can stand back and go, "Oh, my goodness! 907 00:35:23,190 --> 00:35:24,915 Like, I was sacrificing my health. 908 00:35:25,019 --> 00:35:26,745 I was sacrificing my well-being." 909 00:35:26,848 --> 00:35:30,990 Now it tasted good, but this food can taste even better. 910 00:35:31,094 --> 00:35:32,544 - [Tom] These meals were quick and easy, 911 00:35:32,647 --> 00:35:33,959 like their Philly steak sandwich 912 00:35:34,062 --> 00:35:35,823 made from lion's mane mushroom 913 00:35:35,926 --> 00:35:38,412 or their famous five-minute chickpea curry. 914 00:35:38,515 --> 00:35:40,828 Let me tell you, they're both delicious. 915 00:35:40,931 --> 00:35:42,864 - What vegan or whole-food plant-based offers 916 00:35:42,968 --> 00:35:45,384 is food that tastes amazing, leaves you feeling good, 917 00:35:45,488 --> 00:35:46,834 having more energy. 918 00:35:46,937 --> 00:35:49,630 - Most people have this one-dimensional view of veganism 919 00:35:49,733 --> 00:35:53,289 as people who eat salads all day, which is totally wrong. 920 00:35:53,392 --> 00:35:55,187 You know, you have people from different cultures 921 00:35:55,291 --> 00:35:58,259 and backgrounds who eat a variety of meals 922 00:35:58,363 --> 00:36:01,331 which are nutritious, healthy, filling. 923 00:36:01,435 --> 00:36:04,127 - [Tom] In fact, it only takes a quick internet search, 924 00:36:04,231 --> 00:36:05,404 and you'll find countless people 925 00:36:05,508 --> 00:36:07,682 cooking up the most delicious vegan meals. 926 00:36:09,201 --> 00:36:11,030 I also frequently hear that people could never go vegan 927 00:36:11,134 --> 00:36:12,584 because it's too difficult, 928 00:36:12,687 --> 00:36:14,241 that they wouldn't know what to cook at home, 929 00:36:14,344 --> 00:36:16,243 and they wouldn't be able to shop or eat out. 930 00:36:16,346 --> 00:36:17,347 So how hard is it? 931 00:36:17,451 --> 00:36:20,350 [groovy upbeat music] 932 00:36:20,454 --> 00:36:23,284 Believe it or not, I'm not a professional chef, 933 00:36:23,388 --> 00:36:26,045 but to create delicious, healthy, and quick vegan meals, 934 00:36:26,149 --> 00:36:27,599 you really don't need to be. 935 00:36:28,841 --> 00:36:31,258 Experiment with it; start with one-pot meals. 936 00:36:31,361 --> 00:36:32,880 Think of your favorite cuisines and dishes; 937 00:36:32,983 --> 00:36:35,434 they will almost always be flavored with plants, 938 00:36:35,538 --> 00:36:37,781 so play around with herbs and spices. 939 00:36:37,885 --> 00:36:38,920 Everything I'm cooking here 940 00:36:39,024 --> 00:36:40,888 can be done in 15 minutes or less, 941 00:36:40,991 --> 00:36:43,442 and most can be batch-cooked to save time later. 942 00:36:45,064 --> 00:36:46,928 You don't need to miss out on the foods you love either. 943 00:36:47,032 --> 00:36:48,723 Put the word vegan in front of your favorite dishes 944 00:36:48,827 --> 00:36:50,794 and just see how many recipes it brings up. 945 00:36:50,898 --> 00:36:52,934 ♪ You are 946 00:36:56,662 --> 00:36:58,733 - [Tom] And what about shopping and eating out? 947 00:36:58,837 --> 00:36:59,631 How hard is it? 948 00:36:59,734 --> 00:37:01,909 In the UK, every major supermarket 949 00:37:02,012 --> 00:37:03,462 now has a full vegan range. 950 00:37:03,566 --> 00:37:05,223 There's over 14,000 vegan 951 00:37:05,326 --> 00:37:07,880 or vegan-friendly restaurants in England alone. 952 00:37:07,984 --> 00:37:11,712 And in the US, 48% of restaurants serve vegan dishes now. 953 00:37:11,815 --> 00:37:13,472 And it isn't just the UK and the US; 954 00:37:13,576 --> 00:37:15,509 veganism has gone truly global. 955 00:37:15,612 --> 00:37:17,649 The top five vegan-friendly cities in the world 956 00:37:17,752 --> 00:37:19,720 are now spread across four continents, 957 00:37:19,823 --> 00:37:22,550 and there's over 186,000 businesses 958 00:37:22,654 --> 00:37:25,967 from 180 countries on the Happy Cow platform. 959 00:37:26,071 --> 00:37:29,971 It has never been easier to eat or cook vegan. 960 00:37:30,075 --> 00:37:32,008 But what of the meat alternatives on the market? 961 00:37:32,111 --> 00:37:33,354 How convincing are they? 962 00:37:33,458 --> 00:37:35,425 Sure, we know if it's the health benefits 963 00:37:35,529 --> 00:37:36,633 you're striving for, 964 00:37:36,737 --> 00:37:38,773 then whole plant foods are always better. 965 00:37:38,877 --> 00:37:40,396 But what if you just wanna feel like 966 00:37:40,499 --> 00:37:42,984 you're tucking into your favorite burger or chicken dish? 967 00:37:43,088 --> 00:37:46,574 As it happened, I had a little experiment planned. 968 00:37:46,678 --> 00:37:48,680 I have to present people with three dishes, 969 00:37:48,783 --> 00:37:50,958 telling them one's meat and two are vegan. 970 00:37:51,061 --> 00:37:53,029 I wanna know if people can tell the difference. 971 00:37:53,132 --> 00:37:55,445 Let's see how good these meat alternatives really are. 972 00:37:55,549 --> 00:37:56,826 It quickly became apparent 973 00:37:56,929 --> 00:37:59,622 that not only did everybody like the food, 974 00:37:59,725 --> 00:38:02,521 they also kept choosing different options as the meat dish. 975 00:38:02,625 --> 00:38:04,074 - Maybe the burger. 976 00:38:04,178 --> 00:38:05,559 - Yeah, I'd probably say burger. 977 00:38:05,662 --> 00:38:06,836 - Okay. 978 00:38:06,939 --> 00:38:08,251 - I was torn between the sausage and the chicken. 979 00:38:08,355 --> 00:38:11,461 - I think the chicken was meat. 980 00:38:11,565 --> 00:38:13,256 - Yeah, I'd probably say a burger then. 981 00:38:13,360 --> 00:38:15,189 - I'd say the sausage was the meat. 982 00:38:15,293 --> 00:38:16,466 - Okay. - Yeah. 983 00:38:16,570 --> 00:38:18,261 - The reason why I chose chicken as being chicken 984 00:38:18,365 --> 00:38:20,401 is 'cause it looks fibrous. 985 00:38:20,505 --> 00:38:21,678 - Would it surprise you if I told you 986 00:38:21,782 --> 00:38:24,647 that they're all vegan? [laughs] 987 00:38:24,750 --> 00:38:25,993 - It would to me, it would. 988 00:38:26,096 --> 00:38:27,235 That burger was great. 989 00:38:27,339 --> 00:38:28,064 Really, really. 990 00:38:28,167 --> 00:38:29,341 Yeah. 991 00:38:29,445 --> 00:38:31,723 - I actually preferred that chicken to chicken. 992 00:38:31,826 --> 00:38:32,931 - Oh, did you? [group laughs] 993 00:38:33,034 --> 00:38:34,277 - And if it wasn't meat, 994 00:38:34,381 --> 00:38:35,761 it's much better than I thought it would be. 995 00:38:35,865 --> 00:38:37,591 - Well, I thought the burger was fascinating 996 00:38:37,694 --> 00:38:39,696 'cause it was actually a better burger 997 00:38:39,800 --> 00:38:41,008 than a meat burger was. [Tom laughs] 998 00:38:41,111 --> 00:38:43,804 - It was, yeah. - The sausage is my favorite. 999 00:38:43,907 --> 00:38:44,839 So that's number one. 1000 00:38:46,151 --> 00:38:47,014 - That's what surprised me.