Gary Taubes’ book is one of the best I have read in years on the topic of weight gain, nutritional science, and dietary behavior. He effectively outlines why the modern American diet is making us fat and destroying our health, and how much of the nutritional advice we have been given over the past 40 years (eat more grains, and less fat) has perpetuated a slide into obesity.
While I don’t agree with every conclusion drawn or reference cited by Taubes, the thing he does best is draw a link between how our bodies work metabolically, and how we act behaviorally. He explains why we do what we do with respect to eating, and not just how it effects our physiology. Why do we overeat? Why do we crave unhealthy, sugary carbohydrates? Why is it so hard to break the cycle of obesity? Taubes speaks in frank terms about what we’re doing wrong in this country, while showing surprising empathy for the plight of those battling obesity. Most importantly, he outlines simple, approachable changes that will allow us to get back on the fat-loss wagon.
If you’re looking for an interesting, approachable read on the topic of nutrition, that will inspire you to break the cycle of weight-gain and disease, I highly recommend Taubes’ book.
