HomeGroupsTalkMoreZeitgeist
Search Site
This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and (if not signed in) for advertising. By using LibraryThing you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your use of the site and services is subject to these policies and terms.

Results from Google Books

Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.

Loading...

Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It

by Gary Taubes

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
1,2005016,454 (3.97)15
This work is an examination of what makes us fat. In his book Good Calories, Bad Calories, the author, an acclaimed science writer argues that certain kinds of carbohydrates, not fats and not simply excess calories, have led to our current obesity epidemic. Now he brings that message to a wider, nonscientific audience. With fresh evidence for his claim, this book makes his critical argument newly accessible. He reveals the bad nutritional science of the last century, none more damaging than the "calories-in, calories-out" model of why we get fat, the good science that has been ignored, especially regarding insulin's regulation of our fat tissue. He also answers key questions: Why are some people thin and others fat? What roles do exercise and genetics play in our weight? What foods should we eat or avoid? Concluding with an easy-to-follow diet, this book is one key to understanding an international epidemic and a guide to improving our own health.… (more)
  1. 00
    The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet by Nina Teicholz (melmore)
    melmore: Both books explore the same thesis, that mainstream dietary science has been hijacked by researchers with an agenda (low-fat, high-carb diets), and the results have been disastrous for Western society. Both works are painstakingly researched and show in great detail the ways in which scientific consensus can develop despite, rather than because of, empirical research.… (more)
Loading...

Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.

No current Talk conversations about this book.

» See also 15 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 50 (next | show all)
Fantastic read. Busts many myths related to fat and obesity. Kind of academic text at many places but it is definitely an interesting read. Equips you with basic knowledge and biology behind obesity. ( )
  Santhosh_Guru | Oct 19, 2023 |
low carbs are the key, heavily researched, numerous sources ( )
  pollycallahan | Jul 1, 2023 |
This book has impacted me profoundly. I had been gradually making the move to the idea that carbs were causing the bulk of my problems around weight gain and energy management but this book really tipped the scales for me. His arguments are compelling and, frankly, undeniable in the face of the research he provides to back up his case. Public health advocates in this country got it wrong and they've done us a tremendous disservice by continuing to villanize fat while treating sugar/refined carbs as benign. ( )
  a2slbailey | Dec 29, 2021 |
If you are mindful of what you're eating and in what portions, exercising and still struggling with weight creep, this book might be for you. Very accessible argument for conscious decoupling from carbs. Debunks common medical 'wisdom' about the ability of many people to maintain a healthy weight over time through diet and exercise alone. While the author does provide evidence for his premise and much of it has the general ring of truth, supporting studies do seem cherrypicked without much attempt to introduce, much less refute, any counter evidence.

Though the author does provide general eating guidance of what to eat and what not to eat (spoiler: cut way back on carbs), this book is more of argument why a diet makeover may make sense and less a how-to nutritional guide. It also presumes that everyone who wants to go carb-free can do so and for several reasons, the reality of that is way more nuanced and complicated.

Overall, an easily digested and a valuable perspective. I've not read anything else by this author, but thanks to another reviewer may eventually pick up Good Calories, Bad Calories for a skim. ( )
  angiestahl | May 14, 2021 |
If you want to lose fat, read this book. ( )
  TheBigV | May 9, 2021 |
Showing 1-5 of 50 (next | show all)
Mr. Taubes proceeds to stand the received wisdom about diet and exercise on its head in a particularly intriguing and readable synthesis.
added by melmore | editNew York Times, Abigail Zuger (Dec 27, 2010)
 
You must log in to edit Common Knowledge data.
For more help see the Common Knowledge help page.
Canonical title
Original title
Alternative titles
Original publication date
People/Characters
Important places
Important events
Related movies
Epigraph
Dedication
First words
Quotations
Last words
Disambiguation notice
Publisher's editors
Blurbers
Original language
Canonical DDC/MDS
Canonical LCC

References to this work on external resources.

Wikipedia in English (2)

This work is an examination of what makes us fat. In his book Good Calories, Bad Calories, the author, an acclaimed science writer argues that certain kinds of carbohydrates, not fats and not simply excess calories, have led to our current obesity epidemic. Now he brings that message to a wider, nonscientific audience. With fresh evidence for his claim, this book makes his critical argument newly accessible. He reveals the bad nutritional science of the last century, none more damaging than the "calories-in, calories-out" model of why we get fat, the good science that has been ignored, especially regarding insulin's regulation of our fat tissue. He also answers key questions: Why are some people thin and others fat? What roles do exercise and genetics play in our weight? What foods should we eat or avoid? Concluding with an easy-to-follow diet, this book is one key to understanding an international epidemic and a guide to improving our own health.

No library descriptions found.

Book description
Haiku summary

Current Discussions

None

Popular covers

Quick Links

Rating

Average: (3.97)
0.5
1 7
1.5
2 9
2.5 1
3 49
3.5 8
4 126
4.5 10
5 80

Is this you?

Become a LibraryThing Author.

 

About | Contact | Privacy/Terms | Help/FAQs | Blog | Store | APIs | TinyCat | Legacy Libraries | Early Reviewers | Common Knowledge | 205,503,022 books! | Top bar: Always visible