A look at what a dietitian thinks the Netflix documentary The Magic Pill gets wrong about the keto diet. We review the evidence on the ketogenic diet.
In case you missed it, check out my other post where I covered what The Magic Pill gets (at least kinda, sorta) right about the keto diet – check that out here.
Alright, so we’re back to discuss the new hot food documentary that is exploring the controversial ketogenic diet. It talks about how a low carb high fat diet significantly improved the lives of people suffering from a variety of illnesses. The documentary uses powerful testimonials that claim the keto diet promotes weight loss, improves neurological diseases and reverses chronic diseases. From confusing messages about processed foods to painting an ugly picture of carbohydrates, let’s uncover what “The Magic Pill” gets wrong about the keto diet.
Claim #1: Early humans only ate meat and fat
A common argument is that the keto diet is the closest to our ancestor’s diet. The documentary claims that thousands of generations survived primarily on a meat and fat based diet. The story follows that over the years, with the industrial revolution, our diets have changed to more of a carbohydrate based diet.
What the Research Says
In reality, that is not entirely true. A recent study that collected archeological and anthropological data found that carbohydrates were actually integral part of the human body and actually helped with the growth of the human brain over the last million years. Meat may have kick started the evolution of larger brains, but eating starchy foods apparently made us smarter by providing our brains with glucose (they still do). Even genetic evidence suggests that our salivary amylase (needed to digest starch) has been present in humans for the last one million years. Believe it or not, like today, carbohydrates were an integral part of humans’ diets. So to say that carbs are new to the game since the industrial revolution is just not true. Maybe refined carbs, sure, but not carbs period.
Bottom Line: Archeological research has found that carbohydrates have been a large part of our ancestor’s diet (long before industrial evolution) and have played a role in the evolution of the human brain. We may now know that our brain can function, maybe even well, without it, but that maybe wasn’t true in the past.
Claim #2: All Processed Foods Are Evil
In the documentary, there is a montage of “health experts” going through subjects’ kitchens and throwing out processed foods. Throughout the documentary, certain processed foods are demonized while other processed foods are encouraged to cook with. This makes their messages very misleading. While cooking oils like olive oil are encouraged, vegetable oils are seen as “toxic”. The documentary is sending mixed messages. They don’t take the time to demonstrate the difference between processed and ultra processed foods. There is a critical distinction between the two.
What The Research Says
Have you ever bought milk at the grocery store? It didn’t just come out of the cows udder and make it to your door. Processing can make food healthier and safer in a lot of ways.
Minimally Processed Foods: Use little processing or preparation (i.e. washed, packaged fruits and vegetables)
Foods Processed for Preservation: Foods that are preserved to maintain freshness (i.e. canned/frozen fruits and vegetables)
Mixtures of Combined Ingredients: Foods that combine ingredients (sweeteners, colouring, preservatives) to improve taste, safety and visual appeal (i.e. cake mixes, salad dressings)
Ultra Processed Foods: ready-to-eat convenience foods (i.e. breakfast cereals, lunch meats, carbonated beverages, frozen meals/pizzas)
The documentary puts a lot of energy into demonizing foods that can still be incorporated into a healthy diet. Ironically, the documentary promotes a ton of processed foods like cheese, coconut oil and bacon. I would even categorize bacon as a ultra processed foods. I think this documentary needs to refine the language or their recommendations because there are some mad mixed messages.
Bottom Line: Although there is truth to the negative health impact of some highly processed foods, it is important to point out that processed foods exist on a spectrum. Some processed foods can be part of a healthy balanced diet while others should be limited (um, like bacon). The overall recommendation is to follow a diet that is made up of freshly prepared meals from mostly unprocessed or minimally processed foods, some processed foods and small amounts of ultra-processed foods.
Claim #3: All carbohydrates are BAD
Throughout the documentary, carbohydrates are seen as the enemy and are demonized in every single way. Throughout the film carbohydrates are equated to refined sugar and there is no distinction between the different types of carbohydrates.
What The Research Says
As a dietitian, when I think of carbs I think of FIBRE. Fibre does wonders for us. It helps us feel full for longer, helps us manage our weight, lower our cholesterol and the list goes on! One major point the documentary misses is that not all carbs are created equal. There are major differences between refined and processed carbs and whole carbs in their natural state. Depending on the type of carbohydrate, they also have a drastically different impact on blood sugar levels due to their fibre content. Several systematic reviews have found that the intake of whole grains is associated with significant reductions in the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Bottom Line: Not all carbohydrates are created equal. Depending on the type of carbohydrates will have a drastically different impact on blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates rich in fibre carry significant heart health benefits and keep us full for longer which may help with weight management.
Claim #4: Choose more animal products over fruits and vegetables
In the film they recommend a complete overhaul of the food pyramid by flipping on its head so that fats and animal foods are eaten in higher amounts compared to fruits, vegetables and carbohydrates. Ironically, the base of the pyramid shows a picture of a burger with a fried egg and bacon which is hella processed which furthers their confusing and inconsistent message about processed foods.
What The Research Says
I may eat meat, but I am also a huge supporter of eating more plant based foods. That is not only from an environmental perspective but also from a health perspective. A large body of research has shown that there are a lot of benefits to diets that are rich in plants like the Mediterranean diet or vegetarian/vegan diet. While I do believe there’s definitely room in a diet for animal products, we do know that increasing plant-based foods in our diet may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity– I’ve written a bunch about this here.
Bottom Line: Increasing the plant based foods in our diet may reduce the risk of various diseases. If you’re following a keto diet, I recommend trying to find a balance between animal-based protein and plant-based protein and loading up on the low carb veg.
Claim #5: Animal products as a primary source of protein
The documentary wants you to ditch legumes and other plant based proteins because they’re too high in carbohydrates. Instead opt for meat to get your protein fix.
What The Research Says
Like I mentioned earlier, plant based proteins have cholesterol lowering benefits and are considered heart healthy. This is not to say that you should avoid meat. Meatless Mondays don’t hurt and incorporating a variety of protein sources, animal and plant, carry serious benefits. Plus, the amount of carbs in a cup of beans for the amount of fibre you get is really no big deal. You’re looking at 45 g of carbs and 12 grams of protein for 270 calories and 15 grams of protein. No, its not hard core keto-friendly but totally balanced in my books.
Bottom Line: Plant-based protein sources carry a wide range of benefits, so try to enjoy a few Meatless Mondays more often.
Claim #6: Food is the “magic pill”
I’m a firm believer of a “food first” philosophy when it comes to our health, but I think this documentary takes it a little too far. The documentary largely focuses on diet and specific nutrients as the key to good health. It spends very little time acknowledging that lifestyle factors also play an important role in maintaining good health.
What The Research Says
Yes, food plays a huge role in our health, but we can’t ignore the other factors that impact our health. We know that that health is shaped by a variety of things, from our genetic makeup to lifestyle factors like smoking. Sometimes medication and other interventions are the only solution, or are an essential part of the solution and not just a diet.
Bottom Line: There’s more to our health than just what we eat. Majority of the time, treating a condition requires a variety of treatment efforts. Suggesting that we can just go off of our medications or abstain from lifesaving therapy by taking on a diet can be dangerous and potentially deadly advice.
The Magic Pill did get some things right when it comes to the ketogenic diet. However, there’s a whole lot of information and research that was conveniently omitted to support their case. We still need a lot more stronger studies to say with confidence that the keto diet really is the “magic pill”. I do think that the keto diet has its merits, especially in clinical settings, but it’s not without its risks. Not to sound like a broken record, but a healthy diet is one you can maintain in the long run. It’s up to you to find what works for YOU.
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In case you missed it, check out my other post where I covered what “The Magic Pill†gets right about the keto diet.
If you liked this post, you may like:
What This Dietitian Thinks About a Keto Diet for Weight Loss
Is it Safe to Breastfeed on a Keto Diet and How Does it Affect Breast Milk
Can The Keto Diet Cure Your Digestion Problems & IBD?
Does a Keto Diet During Pregnancy Cause Birth Defects?
So friends, tell me, what do you think of the Magic Pill?
What are your general thoughts or experiences with the keto diet?
Any other new food documentary’s you want me to review?
Leave me a comment below!
Contribution By:
RD2B Giselle Segovia
Edits By Sofia Tsalamlal, MHSc, RD
Updated on August 15th, 2020
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian (RD), regulated by the Ontario College of Dietitians. She is a mom, YouTuber, Blogger, award winning cookbook author, media coach specializing in food and nutrition influencers, and a frequent contributor to national publications like Healthline and on national broadcast TV shows.
Anne says
I have to LOL: I’m reading this article as an ad for Papa John’s pops up … hmmm. Should this be promoted on a ‘dietitian’s’ website?
Abbey Sharp says
What’s wrong with pizza? I’m a huge pizza fan!
Mary says
LMAO are you serious? Wow! lol
But I guess if people lose the weight on Keto, Dietitians would be out of work, so you do have to promote carbs and pizza in order to continue to have clients to make money from.
Daniel says
Not to mention the very first ad I saw was a McCains Fries (processed crap). This chick is like the big corporations who are out to make money and promote garbage food so that you can get hooked and make them money. I think Abbey is the one that is misleading. Seems most people agree with the program and Abbey gets all defensive with them, only to thank anyone that even remotely agrees with her views that are mainly her opinions or unsupported comments. Abbey’s just a little pissed because she will lose many of her readers. There’s no denying that processed foods (yes not just milk but dairy products) can in part be good for you. She fails to mention (on the subject of milk) how there is 10 to 11 g of sugar per 250 ml glass. Ooooooops! How convenient Abbey. Now there is the milk, then the juice, then the ketchup (yes ketchup has sugar added 3g per teaspoon & the list goes on and on and on ……………………………. and next thing you know by the end of the day you’ve consumed some 80 to 90 grams of sugar. Those McCain fries on her ad contain 20% of daily intake of sodium for a 100 g serving? A small order of fries at McDonalds is approximtely 80 grams. Mmmmmmmmmmm Filling huh? Lest we forget 20% of our sodium intake. She’s out to make money and there is nothing else to say about that.
Gia says
People always go to the “paid shill” argument when they know they’re wrong but they have nothing better to contribute
Sam says
Working in the marketing and digital ad industry, putting keto debate aside, i just wanted to point out that the ads are likely programmatic ads. Hence the author doesn’t dictate what goes on it. She just signs up for having ads but really it could range from a travel hotel ad to food to automobiles. A lot of what you see is likely based on user targeting. So you may see a very different ad than someone else.
Ann says
What happens to your body when you have reached your required weight loss and stop taking the pill. Is there any research to show side effects of this scenario?
JR says
Eat like you did. Look like you did. I don’t understand the “when you stop the diet” moronic view. It’s a permanent change. End of story.
Angelique says
i wantched the magic pill and they specifically said no dairy which includes cheese. Also i am not sure about your issue with bacon it being processed the one family bought a cow and used every bit of it and had some bacon made out of it? I think the maid issue in society today is all these boxed and processed foods we rely on for out quick fixes. I meal prep one day a week to avoid this issue
Judy says
Anyone who writes a review of The Magic Pill and associated with the medical field is suspect. Most doctors know very little about nutrition and not much more about the pills we take. About every government agency wants to keep people eating the way they suggest because it keeps them, and associated companies in business. A lot of our foods in this day and time is not much more than plastic and additives; there’s more and more additives to keep us craving “their” foods as the industries are huge and make enormous contributions for bills and laws leaning in their favor. Whatever you believe, you should make sure that your food is as “clean” as possible. The part of the review that nullifies our ancestors eating lots of fats instead of carbs, doesn’t take into consideration that their foods were “clean” and unprocessed except for what they did at home. Our ancestors ate a lot of meat, without growth hormones. This review is lacking, maybe not a lot of science, but a hellofalot of common sense.
Abbey Sharp says
Hey Judy. Thanks for your comment.
Dee says
Most doctors know very little about nutrition is correct. The writer of this article is a dietitian. Funny thing is most of the “experts” in the film promoting keto were DOCTORS. hmmm….
Daniel Plumey says
Who said things like “if I want you to gain weight, I’ll prescribe you insulin” That is proof of how the medical industry works. Keep you hooked for the money. Sad
Michelle says
It is unfortunate that you have manipulated the data that was presented in this show to make a blog post that is misleading in itself. For example bacon is highly processed however if you learn more about the ketogenic diet or the paleo diet which is closely related you would find out that just any bacon won’t do. It must be unprocessed. No nitrates. If you were ever sick and followed this diet you would know that you are wrong and the documentary is right. I suffered from debilitating joint pain where I thought I was going to have to quit my job and saw myself headed for a wheelchair. I still don’t have a diagnosis because I cannot get in to see a rheumatologist until the middle of March thanks to our new US healthcare system. However three days after starting this diet and cutting all sugar and flour out of my diet, 100% of my pain went away. Additionally, I am working to get my vitamin D levels up to therapeutic levels in my blood. I consider this another essential component of my good health. I think people who don’t try the diet and experience it or even have a cause to need it should not comment. You’re doing more harm than good. I cannot tell enough people about the good health I’m experiencing by following this diet.
Abbey Sharp says
So glad the diet is working for you. My point is that the diet may not be right for everybody as a whole. Thanks for your comment.
Maureen says
Hi I did the keto diet for two months and I lost weight and felt good. I couldn’t sustain this way of eating. I have since looked to the Mediterranean and zone way of eating…I definitely feel better in my skin and mind eating complex unprocessed healthy carbs in moderation, definitely more protein, and less fat, mostly monounsaturated. Bottom line: natural organic unprocessed foods, no refined starches, no sugar, and no alcohol. If I do this within my nutritional parameters I don’t care what diet or menu
I’m eating I will be healthy. But keto didn’t feel right for me for the long haul…
Abbey Sharp says
Thanks for sharing! Huge fan of the Mediterranean diet
Daniel says
Amen to that. First ad I saw pop on on her website/blog was none other than (processed food of course – you know the food she says isn’t so bad for you – and the one paying her to have it plastered there) McCains (healthy – lolol) Fries. She just uses her title to try and legitimize her comment(s) that are weak in substance and even weaker in facts.
Lori says
That’s a really narrow point of view. The bottom line of it she needs ads for revenue and we don’t know how many offers she’s getting. Maybe she simply can’t afford to be ultra selective about it. Also it’s not like she’s writing articles telling people to eat fries and pizza all the time.
Millie says
I can vouch for this. No more daily back pain. No more popping Aleve like candy and destroying my kidneys. Mental alertness at age 61. Waist circumference from 42 to 35.5. Weight loss of 20 lbs over almost 2 years, nothing crazy. I eat tons of vegetables, every single day. Vegetables are my staples, love them. Keto has freed me from food cravings. No more coming home and eating a whole back of organic non GMO blue corn tortilla chips. I’m not eating ribs and pounds of bacon. I’m eating olive oil, coconut oil and grass fed butter. That’s not to say I’m not always looking to improve my health through my diet. I’m currently trying to limit myself to a small amount of goat cheese and trying to stay away from cow cheese, and further increasing veggies. I do feel I’ve been relying too much on cow cheese. I eat mostly chicken and eggs with an occasional grass fed burger for protein. Allergic to avocado and sesame, so staying away from nuts also due to fear of cross reactions. I do miss squash, sweet potato, chick peas and beans. Gave up wheat/most grains years before keto (GI can’t tolerate). I tasted a tiny smidgen of my husbands butternut squash yesterday and it tasted like pure sugar. I never want to go back to being a slave to my sugar cravings (sugar for me was savory, chips, never cakes and cookies – fooled myself into believing I wasn’t a “sugar” addict). My exercise is barre, Callanetics, yoga or bouncing on the Bellicon. So, “clean” keto has been very good to me.
Terri says
Many like to refute the Ketogenic diet as some strange ‘fad’ that is not healthy. But, you fail to produce any studies to say why one should not follow this way of eating. The study on whole grains leaves out the part about trying to find bread in the U.S. that does not contain HFCS, Sugar and other unnecessary additives that negate any positives you can offer. Additionally, many studies are showing how the processing of grains today has many people exhibiting dietary issues from eating gluten. Vegetables such as, brussel sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuces, celery, cucumber, all have carbohydrates, and are encouraged in the Keto diet. The whole idea here, is to significantly reduce the need for an insulin push due to spiking glucose. The Ketogenic diet is NOT a bacon, avocado diet alone. The bacon one should eat should be unprocessed. You say nothing about how the saturated fat ingested from animals, and the fats from fruits like avocado, olives DO NOT contribute to the production of cholesterol in the human body. It is the SUGAR (glucose, fructose) that spikes glucose, demanding insulin. THIS is what creates the cholesterol people now take pills to reduce. The Keys study was WRONG about that. So, to be sure you are clear…..Keto does promote eating carbohydrates, just not those with a high glycemic index.
Nicole says
“many studies are showing how the processing of grains today has many people exhibiting dietary issues from eating gluten” I’d love to see those studies?
Fernando says
Excellent comment I have stopped eating sugar, honey and sweets of any kind. Like tangerines instead they provide fructose but not fine sugar. I have left the bread, the pasta and the potatoes, no more pizza, etc. I have no glucose left in my brain and I should have stopped thinking. On the contrary, I sleep better now, I focus much better on everything, better sex, my head does not hurt anymore and I lost 6 pounds in my first week. Eating two eggs with bacon in the morning with good cheese and coffee. Thanks to see the movie ‘The Magic Pill’, thank God! for opening my eyes, invest the pyramid of food and you will see that they have been lying to us with the food pyramid for decades!
Al says
While i am not on Keto, i am on a low-carb diet which i took out starchy carbs e.g. white rice, noodles, pizzas, bread. I only consume whole wheat bread and that is not even everyday. I also stopped consuming soft drinks, juices, smoothies (yes smoothies are bad for you with loads of sugar) and flavored coffee (only coffee with almond milk no sugar) i have lost 20 lbs and counting! My blood pressure has never been normal and now it has been lowest ever since i started having high blood pressure. I don’t know if Keto works, i can’t stay on Keto because i do eat brown rice and lots of fruits and veggies and that’s how i get all of my carbs from.
Risa says
hi. thank you for your reply. I had done my research and read books about the keto diet to make sure I knew exactly what it was and how to be on the diet in a healthy way. keto promotes avoiding sugar, eating plenty of complex carbs and healthy fats in a specific ratio, grass fed beef and chicken and wild caught fish and when you are in ketosis and your body is used to burning fat you can even enjoy a carb up with a little rice. i was on the diet for 10 months and i never felt better. clear headed. no fuzzy brain syndrome. no more joint aches. and i lost 17 pounds. i do enjoy lactose free cheese once in a while. i think the magic pill gets it right in a big way. our country wants to keep us fat. western medicine is intent on keeping people sick so they can make big money on medication. we should be taking our cues from the way people are living into old age without diseases on the other side of the world
Lefty says
Thanks for your review. I have not seen the film, I have only read reviews. I am not giving that much of my life up. However, I LOVE that you mentioned that not all carbs are created equal. Done correctly, the right carbs are a natural source of energy. With smart food choices, and disciplined eating, one can be very healthy and lose weight with a daily caloric deficit. Period.
Abbey Sharp says
Thanks for your comment!
Ann says
I was looking for an informed refutation of keto and The Magic Pill, but this is not it. You would do well to throw out the strawmen and start over. The “claims” you are attempting to refute are not even made in the documentary. Further, you seem to be cherry-picking the studies that support the conventional opinion you espouse while ignoring the studies cited in detail in the documentary. I tried to get through your entire essay, but was unable to after three first few strawmen “claims.” For someone who is just starting keto and looking for balanced discussion so that I can make the most informed decision, your essay does a disservice. I would suggest you watch the documentary again and perhaps review the body of work of some of the experts interviewed in the documentary, since if which commenters above have already suggested. Unless this essay was just capitalizing on a popular diet to improve your views on your monetized website. In that case, well done.
Abbey Sharp says
Hey Ann, thanks for your comment. You should check you my other post I did on what the documentary gets right, so give you a completely balanced review. I hope you give it a read: https://www.abbeyskitchen.com/a-dietitians-thoughts-on-what-netflixs-the-magic-pill-gets-at-least-kinda-right-about-the-keto-diet/
Also, I did an unbiased objective review of the keto diet here: https://www.abbeyskitchen.com/the-keto-diet-ketogenic/
Happy Reading!
Tracy Miller says
I completely agree. I wonder if we watched the same documentary?
Faith says
Totally agree here. The documentary states clearly to stay clear of dairy period and never once promotes cheese. Pastured bacon is NOT A PROCESSED FOOD.
Her credibility went immediately out the window by misquoting the doc immediately and I too couldn’t even be bothered to read the rest. The only people she will reach are people who didn’t actually watch the doc (like her I’m guessing), while anyone who has will see the false claims and move on.
Diane says
Completely agree! Not sure where she got the bit about promoting cheese when there was absolutely no mention of cheese in the doc. The arguments made in the doc are far more convincing and believable than this poorly thought-out blog post.
Megan says
You should read the subreddit for keto, it will answer alot of your questions 🙂
Jan Lange says
Perfect example on how an author will try to capitalize on a film. I watched the film and read your article. First of all you made some claims that the film never makes. That’s just dishonest. You then continue to argue with those points that the film never makes. Seriously people go watch it for yourself. This is just an article to drive web traffic.
Abbey Sharp says
Hey Jan, I would actually make the claim that this film didn’t always share all of the facts and was dishonest at times. I agree with you that people should watch the film for themselves so they can form their own opinion. Thanks for your comment
Melissa says
Would too consider removing your statement about the documentary promoting cheese? Or adding an addendum to recognize your error? It actually discussed avoiding dairy if at all possible and cheese was not shown in the multiple meals that were prepared and consumed on camera. I think this was an assumption based on your own experience with the Keto diet. I’d also look at the part of the statement about bacon. Also not a significant emphasis in the film as you had claimed. Agree with the above remarks that your credibility will increase by correcting these inaccuracies.
Abbey Sharp says
I will review this. Thanks for your comment Melissa.
Dawn says
I suggest the author read The Big Fat Surprise by Nina Teicholz. The research used to back the current FDA Food Pyramid, the American Heart Association, and cholesterol, etc. has not validated. Read it and then tell me if you have a different view.
Abbey Sharp says
Thanks for the tip!
Chad Randazzo says
https://thescienceofnutrition.wordpress.com/book-reviews/
I’ve read it, quackery at its finest!
Nina says
Ok, soo I just watched the magic pill & though I’m not AT ALL interested in a Ketogenic Diet & Totally think the documentary was biased. I must say, your debunking is also miss leading,
For example, you #2 & 3 isn’t true. They didn’t say, ALL, You said, they said all. I think anyone reading her (Abbeys) view on this documentary should make sure they watch it for themselves & form their own opinions of the documentary.
Abbey Sharp says
Hey Nina, I will review what I have written
Mollie says
Hi Abbey-
I have some friends who have always been health conscious and trying to stay up with the latest research. A year or two ago they went keto – hard core. They have always struggled with weight and this is the first time they have both become quite slim and report other positive effects such as normalized menstruation, better focus, more energy etc. Contrast that with my father who has cured his propensity for heart disease via the extreme low-fat heart disease reversing diet coined by Doctors like Dean Ornish, Dr Esselstein out of Cleveland Clinic, etc. They have a great deal of evidence based research to the effects of the diet for cardiac patients. It’s basically extremely low fat vegan – and my dad has followed it for over 5 years and completely reversed all his artery build up and dropped his cholesterol dramatically – not needing meds for over 3 years. His number is at a total 128. I think the reason this diet is not promoted more is due to the difficulty to stay on it. So- my point is – while I get keto for short term jump start – I’m wondering about the long term heart effects of the diet. We all know that looking slim doesn’t mean you’re necessary healthy – I.e. The long distance runners who have died of heart attacks. Thanks for your posts on The Magic Pill!
Abbey Sharp says
Exactly, that’s the biggest thing. We don’t know yet what the long term effects are because there is very little research to tell us.
Dr Michael Perez says
What we DO have is evidence of what the standard american diet and the myth of eat less and excersize more has gotten us. Oh and the high carb low fat diet does.
Rob says
Its almost as if RD author didn’t pay attention when watching movie. Watch for yourself. Try it! Health will improve!
Dawn says
Agree! Most of what she states is incorrect. People generally believe what they want to hear. Watch for yourself and do your own research. I suggest also reading The Big Fat Surprise. Its an eye opener!
Luís says
What is a “cows utter”?
Abbey Sharp says
The part of the cow where the milk comes out.
Shannon says
I think you mean “udder.” Utter is what you do with your mouth, as in “utter a word.”
Abbey Sharp says
Typo! Sorry about that. Thanks for spotting.
Liz says
That’s udderly ridiculous???????? couldn’t resist.
Guy Wera says
Dear Abbey
I read your post And Haven’t seen the the Majik Pill yet. I agree with some of your thoughts meanwhile I find suspicious that you neglect to mention the difference between conventional or grocerie store meats and milk products and GRASS ONLY fed meats and milk products. I agree with your suggestion of small amounts of grass fed meats and milk products. Also raw or unpasturized cheezes organic. I also agree that a hard diet is essential for a healing to happen but on the long term after a healing its certainly good to eat a huge variety of foods but only very lightly processed or washed and frozen foods. thanks for your review.
Abbey Sharp says
Thanks Guy! Definitely a whole other article is needed to discuss this. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Elle says
Your critique is way off base,,, making comparisons that don’t exist. This documentary is absolutely not stating some of your conclusions the way that you are inferring. I eat a LCVHF diet for migraine management and absolutely loved this documentary. Let’s give the viewers of a film like this a little more credit than to say we just don’t know what refined carbohydrates are….you missed the point of the entire movie. I sincerely hope that no one walks away from watching this due to your desire to point out flaws there that just don’t exist. It’s not a medical journal article… it’s a point of view that provides insight for those of us out here who are looking.
Laura-Lee Bowers says
Thanks for this! The Keto diet is actually really horrid for your longterm metabolic rate (like any other restrictive diet). It does NOT keep weight off which is supposed to be its main function! Plus all that meat… is linked to so many illnesses. I feel so horrible for people trying to lose weight on keto. I do holistic wellness and weight loss programs for sustainable ideal body composition and I just loathe seeing people getting super restrictive with foods that being them real pleasure!
Abbey Sharp says
Thanks for sharing!
Shannon says
Laura, keto does not have “all that meat” so you can stop worrying. Keto is a high fat, MEDIUM protein, low carb diet. No one needs grains and certainly not sugar in their diet. I have been on keto for 2.5 years and I am doing smashingly well, thanks. Some people need a restrictive diet, as we are very addictive in our natures and can’t have anything that may “open back up the flood gates.” So, sorry, I can’t just have a little bit here and there of “foods that give me pleasure.” I have changed my brain to look forward to healthy foods now. Oh, and those healthy foods are not pounds of meat, but veggies. Keto is seen in such a poor light primarily because of the decades of brainwashing we have endured, telling us that carbs should be high and saturated meats should be very low. Someday, all the research that has been done, all the success stories and just plain fact will hopefully stop people thinking keto is just a fad and an unhealthy one at that.
Kathy says
Shannon-I totally agree with you. I have been on keto for 3 years. Got rid of brain fog, fatigue and high cholesterol. I eat 8-10 cups of veggies a day drink lots of water and use salt liberally. Sugar is the enemy not saturated fat.
Ryan says
Prove it…
Christian says
In my case I did not feel good and could not keep the weight off until I started eating a more keto diet. For me the (huge, fast) impact came from stopping eating bread, pasta, potatoes, fruit, (high carb) vegetables, salt, and sugar in general.
Went from just over 34″ waist back down to 32″ waist in a bit more than 1 month.
As far as KEEPING The weight off, it is a matter of lifestyle change. Eating smaller portions more often, no eating before sleep, weekly fasting … and under NO circumstances drink soda/pop or fruit juice/drink. Most people can’t keep the weight off because they eventually revert back to their old behaviours … which is to be expected if one is basically a sugar addict.
Also have a look at how insulin plays a role in weight management. One thing … insulin tells your body to store not burn. So if you have elevated insulin levels in your blood (due to elevated sugar levels) then you *won’t* lose weight. Period. EVER.
Further, sounds to me like “Abbey” simply regurgitates the common nutrition narrative/propaganda using fallacy (see if you can determine which ones https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fallacies ) to refute or discredit that which she doesn’t agree with or is not allowed to agree with.
Would be better for everyone if they stopped listening to social media influencers like Abbey. She may look & SOUND like a nutritionist or maybe a healthcare practitioner … in reality she’s nothing more than an “influencer”.
And BTW … yes, food is almost medicine.
Farrah says
I’m so glad you wrote this post–I definitely agree with food being a huge part of health but I feel like a lot of people are taking it too far these days and forgoing medication when they need it in favor of only food and supplements. Great post!
Abbey Sharp says
Agreed. Thanks love
GiGi Eats says
The amount of misconceptions in this world when it comes to nutrition and health are like 20 fold. It’s so hard for anyone to get any REAL and INFORMED information these days and I only feel as though it’s getting worse and worse. The one thing I am happy to see however is the fact that people officially KNOW that sugar is NOT a healthy thing to consume a lot of! Same goes with trans fatty acids. That’s a step in the right direction at least!
Abbey Sharp says
Yes I think so! For all the crazy nutrition trends, there’s at least a few that are actually correct.