Chow Down

The American diet is a killer, according to Chow Down, which follows two men with heart disease and a woman with diabetes as they change their eating habits—giving up fat, refined sugar, and meat for a plant-based vegan diet. “It's not fun,” says one of the subjects, “but here's the thing: I'm not gonna have a heart attack.” Filmmakers Julia Grayer and Gage Johnston make the topic palatable by focusing on the personal stories of Charles, John, and Garnet, while interweaving animated sequences and interviews with assorted scientists, doctors, and policymakers. Along the way, the film takes aim at the medical establishment, which treats disease with medication rather than dietary recommendations; Americans' penchant for eating food that is cheap, tasty, and convenient; and the schizoid role of the USDA as it tries to promote good nutrition while at the same time aiding food producers that undermine its mission (a former USDA nutritionist recalls the politics that skewed the science behind the food pyramid and talks about a bribe attempt by a major company). DVD extras include extended interviews/scenes, and a “healthy recipe” from the book Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn. Revealing, inspiring, and potentially transformational for viewers interested in pursuing a healthier eating style, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Gardner)