Non-Fiction Pick of the Week: Why we Get Fat

Why we get Fat: and what to do about it by Gary Taubes 2011

I started listening to this book thinking it might be just a good brush-up on common-held information on healthy eating, diets and exercise, but as it turned out, it almost completely derailed my belief system in basic nutrition and lifestyle decisions. Taubes reveals the bad nutritional science of the last century, none more damaging or misguided than the “calories-in, calories-out” model of why we get fat. He also refutes common doctors’ and government expert advice, claiming that science has been ignored. He also answers the questions: Why are some people thin and others fat? What roles do exercise and genetics play in our weight?

Taubes has done us a great service by bringing these issues to the table. This excellent book, built on sound research and common sense, contains essential information. His writing reflects his passion for scientific truth. There was so much new information I will re-read this in order to more fully grasp its impact.