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We’ve become obsessed with the idea of ‘food porn’ – artful creations of food that look and taste so incredible we almost forget to ask where the ingredients come from. But it isn’t just about being aware of where our food comes from, but also, who has influence over the industry. There’s no denying we are of a time when corporations have an influence over what we consume – both food and media-wise. With that in mind, below are some thought-provoking documentaries about food, which you should definitely stream next (maybe just not on an empty stomach).
This series takes viewers into streets around the world to hear the stories of the local heroes that make their favourite dishes. Some have been making their delicious wares for 50 years, without ever having gone to culinary school yet are true Michelin-star artists of their trade. Fascinating to watch.
This fascinating documentary about the dismal state of corporate farming in America focuses on issues surrounding the production of meat and is a harrowing-yet-essential for anyone who cares where their food comes from. Director Robert Kenner’s Oscar-nominated work looks at the food industry’s harmful effects on human health and the environment.
Have you ever wondered how the eggs you cook for breakfast are collected? Or how your beef is processed? Rotten takes viewers on a serious investigation of the dark side of the food industry, from giant meat-processing plants to much, much worse. This one will seriously make you look at the food you eat – as well as what you’re throwing away.
Executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret chronicles filmmaker Kip Andersen’s journey to becoming an environmentalist as he investigates one of the most destructive industries currently affecting our planet – animal agriculture and meat consumption. A compelling documentary that will make you re-think the way you eat meat.
Who could forget this groundbreaking doc that will make you never want to eat McDonald’s again? Or, perhaps want to eat it immediately, depending on how you feel. The concept was simple: Eat only McDonalds for a month— breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert — and see how your health changes. Morgon Spurlock’s social experiment is now iconic; a cultural break-check on the role corporate giants had on the obesity epidemic in America.
This exposes shocking secrets the diet, weight-loss and food industries use to keep consumers coming back for more, along with the addictive nature of food. If you’re always going from one diet to another and trying to get a handle on what you eat, this is the documentary you need to watch.
This eye-opening documentary examines the underlying causes of childhood obesity and the adverse effects of consuming sugar in massive quantities. Sugar (similar to cocaine), creates addicts, and by overwhelming the public with messages (and over 600,000 food items to choose from), the problem is not going anywhere, anytime soon. You’ll learn about the detrimental effects of sugar and what we can do to combat the spread of obesity in our children.
Photography by Netflix.