If you caught the Oprah show today, you may have been surprised to see that Oprah and her staff- some 378 men and women- participated in Oprah’s Vegan Challenge. For 1 week, they left behind their usual fare of dairy, eggs, butter, meat, fish, and all other animal products and even the HARPO cafeteria started serving some vegan options. I thought I was dreaming when I saw the preview for this show because I did not expect this, but I was so proud of Oprah and her staff for bringing attention to this topic. I took some notes to share with you because I know many of you were not able to watch the episode.
Journalist and food expert Michael Pollan, vegan author Kathy Freston, and journalist Lisa Ling were invited onto the show to talk about veganism and being conscious of where our food comes from. Oprah was clear in stating that everyone needs to make the choice for themselves and the show was neither pro-vegetarian nor pro-vegan, but pro-education, much like her show with Pollan several months ago.
Oprah claims that many of us are ‘disconnected’ from the animals, meat industry, and the food we eat each day. As reported by the USDA, 10 billion animals are killed in the US each year for consumption. With such a staggering number, it is important to question how our food gets to our plates.
Michael Pollan thought the Vegan Challenge was fun because it makes people conscious of what they eat. I had to agree with this because when I became a vegan, for the first time in my life, I started reading the ingredients that were in my food. I was shocked to find out that I didn’t know what half of the ingredients were and I still find myself looking up mystery ingredients on a weekly basis.
Oprah’s staff member, Jill, emptied out every item in her fridge that had an animal product in it. By the time Jill went through her fridge, it was virtually empty. She was shocked how much food contains animal products.
Pollan admits to eating meat 1-2 times per week, but states that he doesn’t eat industrial or feed-lot meat and he supports small-scale, local farmers that do not feed the animals grain (i.e. corn or corn by products). Michael’s goal is to REFORM the meat industry, not eliminate it. While I would love to see a meat-free society some day, I do realize that Michael’s approach is probably the most realistic.
As a rare look inside a meat farm, Lisa Ling travelled to Cargill Meat Solutions– one of the largest meat companies in the US. This part of the episode was the most emotional for me to watch. They described the process that each cow goes through from the feed lot to the slaughtering to the processing. Each cow at Cargill spends 200 days at the feed lot where they are fed corn and corn by products. This is to fatten up the cattle where they gain about 3 pounds per day. Each day, 4,500 cattle are sent to the slaughterhouse where they will be guided through maze-like pathways for 2 hours to calm down prior to slaughter. I could almost feel the chill in the air as I watched this somber part of the clip.
It was extremely hard for me to watch the animals looking into the camera, just moments before death. Kathy Freston described how I was feeling when she said, ‘watching the animals in the slaughterhouse didn’t sit right with my soul.’ I could not have described my own emotions any better. It is one thing to read something from a book, but to actually see it happening is very real.
Not surprisingly, the episode did not show the 4 inch bolt that is shot through every cow’s head during slaughter. They did, however, show the pain on Lisa Ling’s face as she watched the slaughtering. The carcasses then go through the process of skin removal, sawing, and chopping/grinding the parts. This part was very graphic, but I was happy that they did show this behind the scenes look because I think it is important to connect ourselves to what we eat. The most shocking thing about this slaughterhouse was that it was supposed to be one of the ‘better ones’ and that many, unfortunately are much, much worse than was portrayed.
The show ended with vegan author, Kathy Freston who served as the vegan guide for Oprah and her staff members during the vegan challenge. Kathy took staff member Jill to Whole Foods to show her examples of vegan foods she could cook for her family. I expected Kathy to show her beans, legumes, lentils, vegetables, fruits, nuts, or seeds, but sadly, Kathy showed her a plethora of packaged fake meats, fake mayonnaise, fake cheese, and fake ice cream sandwiches. I strongly believe that a vegan diet does not need to rely on processed, imitation products, so I was disappointed to see this focus. When I first went vegan, I tried all the fake meat products because that is what I thought I was supposed to eat, but my real satisfaction with veganism only came when I experimented with non-processed foods like grains, beans, lentils, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. That is when it all clicked for me and I knew that I could do it long term.
Oprah and her staff member’s reactions to The Vegan Challenge were very interesting to watch. One of Oprah’s staff members, Joe, said he felt so amazing that he was going to convert to a vegan diet. Oprah, said it was definitely ‘doable’ to eat a vegan diet, but she would be ‘veganish’ from now on, meaning that she will think more about the food she eats and try to eat more animal-free foods. Her partner, Stedman, wants to continue the vegan challenge because he enjoyed it so much. Other staff members admitted that they wouldn’t be converting any time soon, but they did admit that it made them think about what they eat each day. Out of 379 participants, they lost a total of 444 pounds and gained a total of 84 pounds. Some participants said they gained weight because they relied on ‘vegan junk food’ too much. I thought it was great that they showed both sides of the story because it is just as easy to eat unhealthy on a vegan diet as it is a non-vegan diet! I don’t like the portrayal that veganism is some kind of weight-loss diet though.
To end the show, Oprah and staff members at HARPO announced that they will be holding a Meatless Monday each week in honour of this challenge. I think this is a great idea and it shows that no matter what kind of diet you do chose eat, you can always make changes, big or small, to impact the system.
If you are interested, there are a bunch of video clips from today’s show on the Oprah website.
Did you see Oprah’s Vegan Challenge show? What did you think? Do you ever go meat/animal-product free or participate in Meatless Monday?
It was a good show…the only issue I had was with the meatless alternatives. I’m gluten/wheat intolerant and therefore can’t eat alot of those products as they often always contain gluten. But I definately only eat meat products that I know where it came from..my family hunts and I support local farmers.
Thanks for sharing this. I tend to miss Oprah so I’ll have to check out the clips. I know that the more I read about how meat is processed, the more I’m drawn not to eat it. When I do eat it, I choose organic, locally raised meat, but this definitely reminds me there’s no reason I ever need to have meat. Most of my meals are vegetarian and I love those meals. Anywho, thanks for sharing.
Great recap! I watched the show today too and had the same reaction to the vegan products that were highlighted. It’s too bad that there was an emphasis on fake sausage and meatless meats rather than the beautiful animal-free whole foods that are highlighted on your site and others. When I was watching them in Whole Foods I actually thought “Oh man, I wish they had Angela there instead–she’d have done such a good job!” Can’t wait til you are on TV promoting your book and bringing your healthy and humane lifestyle to a wider audience (and it will happen–I can totally picture it!)
I think this was a really interesting show. I have to agree, I wasn’t a huge fan of the woman she had on the show… her explanation of other sources of protein didn”t feel convincing and I don’t think trying to sell people on fake meat or cheese is going to sway them towards making the change.
That said though, I think it’s a great discussion topic to bring up, particularly on Oprah’s wide-reaching level. People should know start to finish where their food comes from, meat or vegetables. And of course, Michael Pollan is always excellent! I’m dairy and egg-free for allergy reasons and since cutting those out, I have been much more conscious about eating meat and am now to the point where I typically eat it only when dining out (if then). I skip most meat-substitutes (other than tofu) and rarely have dairy-free cheese… I just don’t see the need for it anymore! I am a big fan of coconut milk ice cream though ;)
I missed today’s episode. :( I would like to take a look at the clips though. Hopefully I’ll see it on a repeat sometime soon.
I think, considering who they had on, they were trying most likely to educate, as Oprah says. At the same time veganism I think is a growing trend, and as a TV show they were taking advantage of that (not necessarily a bad thing). I mean I think the whole concept of veganism is a HUGE area, and it would be hard to show all aspects of it. And you can only go so far with potential scare tactics too (which some might consider the slaughter house).
I saw the show (while at the gym oddly enough) and was feeling very inspired to feel better! I have to agree with you though about the processed “fake” meat products. I have not found any that please my palette and sometimes I think it is just best to leave that idea behind for whole foods-fruits, veg, leg, grains! I wished they had focused more on that. I have tried in the past to get my husband to eat the “fake” products and he has left with a bad taste in his mouth about veganism (no pun intended…maybe), but when I just make a healthy plant based meal, he loves it! I am inspired again to be vegan-ish and it certainly made me think about what is going into my body.
I blogged a very similar reflection about the slaughterhouse, Michael Pollan, and the meat substitutes!! I totally agree with you!! Now…I just need to learn to cook/bake like you!
I really enjoyed this article! I just became vegan last week and it’s hard A) realizing just how much animal product is in EVERYTHING and B) getting your friends and family to respect your efforts.
It’s insane to me, even before I went vegan, how “disconnected” we are from our food. I just wish more people would put down their defensive walls and truly listen to some of the research/articles on meat and dairy. Veganism gets such a bad rap.
Thanks for helping me easily transition! p.s. I made your creamy avocado pasta and it was delisssssh.
I about cried when I heard Oprah was doing this challenge, and this show so of course I watched it. The exposure to this “lifestyle” alone is so good for our country and the message that people need to be more aware and really think about where their food comes from was also awesome. But, I too had a hard time with all of the meat substitutes advocated on the show, but I figure if die-hard meat fans make the switch slowly, and use them as sort of a gateway to a healthier, humane diet, it is at least a step in the right direction. I am glad they showed the cow/meat processing, but wish they would have emphasized more that this is not the norm. Most plants are much worse…
I saw via O’s video clips…and so wish Dr. Gabriel Cousens was teaching them how to eat live, healthy, plant-based food. But I’m so grateful to see this vegan focus, to any degree.
I saw parts of this episode while I was on the treadmill at the gym. I’m really glad you covered it! I was hoping somebody would. Veganism as a weight loss tactic annoys me, its right up there with a detox diet to lose weight. Thats not a good reason to go vegan at all!
The part with the cows made me so sad! I thought I was going to cry, I think cows are adorable. The whole process bothered me. It made me want to cut down on my meat consumption. As it stands I don’t eat a lot of meat, I don’t like preparing it.
The fact that they went shopping and focused on heavily processed meat products (that taste like butt) pissed me off! As if those are the only alternatives to meat! Total crap. You can’t tell me that eating heavily processed soy-meat is healthier/better for you than organic, grass fed chicken. Or even better: one of your chick-pea burgers : ) You do vegan right Ange!
I appreciated that she did the show but I felt that there wasn’t enough emphasis on vegetables. When I was a vegetarian I hated meat substitutes like those Tofurky sausages and would instead rely on making my own dishes with veggies and grains. I thought a lot of the staffers went through the week eating things like popcorn and chips– as Oprah said she did– showing the “fast food vegan” side of things but not fully presenting a solution.
I didn’t see the full episode but I watched all the clips.
I am ecstatic that they have done a show on veganism and shone the light on a slaughterhouse. It all helps to spread the word.
At the same time, like you, I am EXTREMELY disappointed that Kathy Freston focused on junk food veganism and processed food veganism. So many of my clients come to me sick, tired and overweight because they are adhering to a strictly vegan diet but binging on vegan junk foods and relying on pasta with bottled tomato sauce to get by. They are often eating a ton of non organic GMO corn products and wheat products too which only contribute further to the degradation of our ecosystem.
Hopefully this is the start of a great trend and now others (like you and me!) can help to spread the vegan message further but with a focus on non refined, non junk food veganism. So real plant food straight from the earth!
Thanks so much for this post, as i am unable to watch this…and probably would choose not to with the slaughterhouse segment. I grew up on a farm, and became vegetarian at 12 (and yeah, that’s related). The disconnect between what/how people eat nowadays and where their food comes from…horrifies me. I can’t stand seeing meat in those plastic packets. That’s an animal. Thanks for mentioning how the packaged vegan stuff was shown to Jill. I too ate that stuff when i was younger. I now eat one packaged product (vegan hot dogs actually!) and am better for it. It’s just another way to make money off people – there’s still this overwhelming idea that you must eat x (meat/dairy whatever you know) to be healthy. After many years i think there’s a wide range of foods you can eat to satisfy your needs and actually it’s different for everyone. I really hope this episode makes people think about what they pick up in a supermarket and where it came from.
I can just hook up with my fellow commenters and say a HUGE THANK YOU for this recap.
Living in Germany, I wasn’t able to watch the show. But I make sure to watch the videos on the Oprah-Website.
I also want to thank all the other commenters for sharing their opinions, especially those who watched the show, too!
I don’t think that veganism is the one solution to the problems we’re facing concerning the food industry and an overweight and unhealthy society even though it’s often referred to as the Holy Grail.
But when a show like this helps to create more attention to what we eat and where the food comes from, it’s definetely a good thing!
Thanks for sharing about Oprah. I didn’t see it but it’s awesome that she’s spreading the word!
i loved reading your recap, angela! i wrote one, too, just after the show ended! so enjoyed seeing the points you highlight, and your impressions.
here’s my post, if you would like to take a peak!
http://1970kikiproject.wordpress.com/2011/02/01/oprah-goes-vegan/
i agree – too much “product placement” for the fake meat products. i did think a balanced view of veganism was presented – no catfighting or radical ideas just to be sensationalistic.
i’d try it for a week!
I thought the episode was pretty well done, aside from the processed-food-heavy trip to Whole Foods. If nothing else it will help make people think about where their food comes from and what is in it.
My middle kid is vegan and has been for about 2 years. It’s been fun learning new recipes (most of them come from you and Averie) and experimenting in the kitchen with her and she is thriving. I went vegan for a month last year, and food-wise it was easy but I didn’t feel as well on a vegan diet as I do on my normal diet.
We are supporters and buyers of local farmers and pastured meat. I honestly wouldn’t eat commercially farmed beef or chicken or eggs if you paid me. We personally know the people who raise our food, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Thanks for the recap Angela. I missed this and forgot to set the DVR. I am reading “Eating Animals” right now and it is very detailed. I find it very hard to read about the whole process…it makes me so sad. However, it makes me happy that I have transitioned to a vegetarian diet and am almost eating fully vegan. This book is the push I needed to give up the final yogurt & cheese that was left in my diet.
Angela-I did see the show. Unfortunately, it angered me. I don’t know what happened in the editing process, but I cannot believe that it was never mentioned that a healthy vegan diet should consist primarily of vegetables, fruits. beans, real whole grains, nuts and seeds. I mean Michael Pollan was sitting right there!!!!!! And did he speak up after all of that talk about Veganaise and Tofurkey . . .? Really? I was cursing at my television right in front of my 11 year old daughter. It’s this type of misinformation that hurts the public not helps society. We are in a crisis of epidemic proportions in the United States. Oprah herself is obese. This episode was such a missed opportunity. Oh well, more work for us healthy vegan bloggers!!!!!