For anyone making a big lifestyle change, such as taking part in Veganuary for the first time, taking the first step is usually the hardest and it can often make things easier if you have researched the topic thoroughly first and what better place to learn about the benefits of a vegan diet than Netflix.

There are several good documentaries about veganism available on Netflix.  When Rishma first adopted a plant base diet she was always sending me Netflix recommendations so I thought I'd pull together a list of the one's I found most interesting and helpful for those trying Vegeanuary for the first time:

1. "Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret" is an eye opening programme that explores the environmental impact of animal agriculture and the role it plays in climate change. This well put together film shows the to what effect the animal agriculture industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water pollution, and other environmental problems, and that it is often overlooked in discussions about sustainability and climate change. The film also looks at the efforts of environmental organisations to address these issues and the challenges they face in doing so.

2. Forks Over Knives is another good documentary that examines the relationship between a plant-based diet and good health. The film presents evidence that a diet centered on whole, unprocessed foods can prevent and even reverse chronic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It features interviews with medical experts and real-life stories of people who have improved their health by adopting a plant-based diet. The film also explores the role that the food industry and government policies play in shaping our dietary choices, and advocates for a shift towards a plant-based diet as a way to improve public health and reduce the burden of chronic diseases on the healthcare system.

3. What the Health investigates the health benefits of a plant-based diet and the influence of the food industry on our dietary choices. The film presents evidence that a diet based on whole, unprocessed plant foods can help prevent and even reverse chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. It also examines the relationship between the food industry and government regulatory agencies, and argues that these organizations are often more concerned with protecting the interests of the food industry than promoting public health. The film advocates for a shift towards a plant-based diet as a way to improve individual and public health.
4. The Game Changers is probably my favourite documentary on this list and follows the journey of James Wilks, a former UFC fighter, as he investigates the role of plant-based nutrition in athletic performance. The film features interviews with top athletes, trainers, and experts, who discuss the benefits of a plant-based diet for athletic performance, including improved strength, endurance, and recovery. It also explores the misconceptions and biases surrounding plant-based eating in the athletic community and challenges the idea that animal protein is necessary for building muscle and achieving peak performance. The film advocates for a plant-based diet as a healthy and effective way for athletes to fuel their bodies.
5. Vegucated is a documentary that follows three meat- and cheese-loving New Yorkers as they embark on a six-week vegan challenge. The film explores the environmental, health, and ethical implications of a plant-based diet and the personal journeys of the individuals as they learn about and adopt a vegan lifestyle. Along the way, they learn about the impact of animal agriculture on the environment, the health benefits of a plant-based diet, and the conditions in which animals are raised for food. The film also looks at the cultural and social challenges of being vegan in a non-vegan world and the personal transformations that can occur when individuals adopt a vegan lifestyle.

These are just a few examples to get you started, once you scratch the surface there are loads of other vegan-themed documentaries available on Netflix so make sure you share this list with anyone who is interested and reach out on instagram @rootkitchen_uk to let us know your favourites!

If you know somebody who is taking the Veganuary pledge for the first time and you want to make their life a little easier then for the whole month of January you can order a box of our Frozen Vegan Meals and save 30% using the code VEGANUARY30 at checkout.