Fast Carbs, Slow Carbs

The Simple Truth About Food, Weight, and Disease

By: David A. Kessler MD

Narrated by: Joe Knezevich

Length: 4 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

The American body is in trouble. Unprecedented numbers of us suffer from obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other debilitating illnesses. The root cause is a once-revolutionary idea that seemed to offer so much promise, but instead has become the cause of a global health crisis: processed foods. Over the past 75 years, a number of factors aligned to create a reality in which processed carbohydrates became our main food source. In Fast Carbs, Slow Carbs, best-selling author and former FDA Commissioner David A. Kessler explains how the quest to feed a nation resulted in a population that is increasingly suffering from obesity and chronic disease and offers a solution for changing course.

For decades, no one questioned the effects of these processed carbohydrates. The focus was on fertile grassland, ideal for growing vast amounts of wheat and corn; an industrial infrastructure perfect for refining those grains into starch; a food production behemoth that turns refined grains into affordable, appealing, and ever-present food items, from pizza to burritos to bagels; and an efficient distribution network that ensures consumption by Americans nationwide.

But during those same decades, our bodies quietly contended with the metabolic chaos caused by consuming rapidly absorbable starch. Slowly but surely, these effects accumulated and became disastrous, leading to the public health crisis in which we find ourselves today.

In Fast Carbs, Slow Carbs, Kessler explains how eating refined grains such as wheat, corn, and rice leads to a cascade of hormonal and metabolic issues that make it very easy to gain weight and nearly impossible to lose it. Worse still is how excess weight creates a very real link to diabetes, heart disease, cognitive decline, and a host of cancers. We can no longer afford to dismiss the consequences of eating food that is designed to be rapidly absorbed as sugar in our bodies. Informed by cutting-edge research as well as Dr. Kessler’s own personal quest to manage his weight, Fast Carbs, Slow Carbs reveals in illuminating detail how we got to this critical turning point in our health as a nation - and outlines a plan for eliminating heart disease, allowing us to, finally, regain control of our health.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 David A. Kessler (P)2020 HarperAudio

This book can save your life during Covid-19

88% of Americans over 20 are metabolically unhealthy increasing their risk of dying from Covid-19. You can start improving your metabolic health in as soon as one week by applying the fast carb, slow carb principles to your diet.

Clear,

Kessler makes complex information simple. Also he provides simple, workable recommendations. It will change my life.

Good information

I now understand more and will strive to eat more slow carbs. I will read the ingredients on products more closely.

Enjoyed it!

I enjoyed listening to the information provided. As a healthcare provider, I plan to share the information learned and make some changes in my own diet.

Unlocking Nutritional Truths

This book provides invaluable insights into the modern diet's impact on our health. Dr. Kessler, with his deep expertise, delves into the complex world of processed foods and their effects on our bodies. The book brilliantly unravels the often-misleading world of food labeling, offering readers a more nuanced understanding of what they are consuming.

The book is not just a theoretical exploration; it is replete with practical advice. Dr. Kessler offers actionable tips on how to navigate the modern food landscape, which is flooded with highly processed options. He also guides how to read food labels effectively, enabling readers to see beyond marketing gimmicks.

This book is a must-read for anyone looking to understand better and improve their dietary habits. Dr. Kessler's expertise, combined with his practical and compassionate approach, makes "Fast Carbs, Slow Carbs" a valuable resource in the quest for better health through better nutrition. It’s a compelling reminder that what we eat profoundly impacts our overall well-being.

My head exploded and now I want menu!

This is the most helpful book I’ve listened to in a long time. I am following Dr. Kessler’s advice and it has helped immensely.

I wish that he would write a cookbook or list recipes now.

This book is a life changer.

Clearly Written and Understandable

A simple and clearly written book. Some of the science was a little heavy but still understandable. Definitely need to do a little more research after learning some new things.