What if it has all been a big fat lie?

[gonnabskinny]

How poor research has hoisted upon us a "sensible" diet that is low in fat and by doing so, has actually caused the very thing it was trying to prevent. As a result over the past 1/2 century we have seen an increase in the rates of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and a host of other ailments.

It is really enough to make you angry, but I would highly recommend to anyone that is following the Atkins WOE to read the book 'Good Calories, Bad Calories' by Gary Taubes. It will confirm what most of us here on ADBB already know and will help you understand even more why that diets that are low carb and higher in fat are in fact the way that we were designed to live, and that the "conventional wisdom" of low fat diets, which by their very nature are high in carbohydrates are changing the environments within our bodies to where we are storing fat rather than burning it, and aiding in the very diseases that is supposed to be preventing.

I am in the process of reading it right now and can't put it down. It gives lots of credence to why Dr. Atkins and others were/are right on the money with regards to this WOE/WOL. I will say that it is pretty deep and hard to follow at times and that I do not agree with his interpretation 100% on some things, but none the less it is very eye opening.

Because of this board, I am really beginning to learn and this is just one more thing that I found out about here on ADBB. Thanks to those that recommended that I get the book!

[Hudson]

Yes, amazing book. I think I said Wow, amazing, unbelievable, that makes sense, etc. dozens of times while reading that book. His book completely galvanized my thinking on diet.

[Debi2007]

That post made me want to read it. Thanks!

[APanthesilia]

I've heard of the book but haven't read it. I will have to pick up a copy!

I think you are right, though. I have this conversation all the time with DBF! What is really infuriating to me is that not only have we been taught for so long that high carb, low fat is the healthy way but we have also had to deal with 'experts' saying that a low carb, high fat diet is unhealthy. Sigh. When will this mindset change? There is more low fat food in the grocery stores than ever but more obese people. Certainly this has quite a lot to do with our modern culture where we aren't very active as a general rule but it also has a lot to do with what we think is healthy.

There was a segment on the news here recently about people choosing what they think are healthy breakfast options (such as low fat blueberry muffins) but really those things are packed with sugar and not at all healthy! I eat bacon and eggs for breakfast and know I am doing better (and having a tastier meal!) than those people!

[spazzyhilo]

I've heard the book mentioned a couple of times here and I'm really interested to read it. Now even more so! Great post!

[misplaced southerner]

i am putting it on my reading list for sure. and yea, you sure did do a great job losing all that weight following a terrible, awful diet my friend. YOU are AMAZING!!! can't wait to see the new tux photos.....you look like a model for cologne or something!!

[MrsBrittney]

I love this book thus far and my hubby even bought a copy for his mom - she's a healthy weight and avid exerciser and low-fat eater and recently had heart troubles (2 heart attacks) thought it doesn't run in her family. Yet her husband is about 400 lbs and eats terribly and his heart is fine - so I think hes hoping they both might consider this WOE.

Another point that lowfat folks will tell you is - lowfat works, but no one follows it. Well even when you look at "bad/high fat" junk food.. its also HIGH CARB so its really illogical to label the fat the culprit:

- Burgers (buns, fillers, sugary sauces)
- Fries
- Soda
- Chips
- Ice Cream

Its all high carb food and they blame the fat with so little proof. And if they came out and admitted they were wrong and lowfat isn't correct, think of all the big businesses who make a fortune off of weight troubles that would be screwed: pharmacueticals, weight loss groups like WW and JC, diet pills/shakes/food makers, the medical industry, makers of both high-carb junk food and high-carb diet food, etc.

[Elizellen]

I posted this link a few weeks ago, but newer members might be interested in watching it.

Here is a webcast of a lecture given by Gary Taubes to the School of public health at UC Berkeley
http://webcast.berkeley.edu/event_de...ebcastid=21216

It is quite long but for those who havent got the book (or like my husband) just dont find reading scientific/technical books easy it is well worth the time spent watching it.

[gonnabskinny]

Originally Posted by misplaced southerner

you look like a model for cologne or something!!

Actually, I am! The cologne is called Eau de Ketosis! I'm not sure who makes it. I just know it isn't S.T. Larder!!! LOL

Elisellen, thanks for the link. I am having a hard time following lots of the technical stuff as well.

[kate58]

I am currently rereading this book, and more slowly. It was so stunning and so mind altering the first time that I kept rushing forward to the next bits before thinking over what I read, this time I am going slow and thinking more as I read.

I really, really urge people to read it. It won't just change what you think about eating and nutrition, but about health generally and it will also make you look very carefully at anything that is put forward as 'fact' by so-called experts.

Two of the most revealing and fascinating (if also somewhat scary) things it shows are how people who are very expert and very close to a topic can so often fail to see the woods for the trees, and how the experts who are called upon to make pronouncements and decisions which have a far reaching effect on society often are not that expert at all and/or are pushing agendas.

The world of science is very political, full of clicques and inner circles and people who are terribly protective of their own patches. They don't always have the greater good at the forefront of their minds.

I honestly believe that every doctor, no matter what their discipline, and every person who is involved in creating or contributing to health policy formulation should be MADE to read this book. Whether they agree with it's central thesis or not is almost irrelevant - it might at least encourage them to approach their decision making in a more open minded fashion.