Why We Get Fat

And What to Do About It

By: Gary Taubes

Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain

Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

An eye-opening, myth-shattering examination of what makes us fat, from acclaimed science writer Gary Taubes.

In his New York Times best seller, Good Calories, Bad Calories, Taubes argued that our diet's overemphasis on certain kinds of carbohydrates - not fats and not simply excess calories - has led directly to the obesity epidemic we face today. The result of thorough research, keen insight, and unassailable common sense, Good Calories, Bad Calories immediately stirred controversy and acclaim among academics, journalists, and writers alike. Michael Pollan heralded it as "a vitally important book, destined to change the way we think about food."

Building upon this critical work in Good Calories, Bad Calories and presenting fresh evidence for his claim, Taubes now revisits the urgent question of what's making us fat - and how we can change - in this exciting new book. Persuasive, straightforward, and practical, Why We Get Fat makes Taubes' crucial argument newly accessible to a wider audience.

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, and the good science that has been ignored, especially regarding insulin's regulation of our fat tissue. He also answers the most persistent questions: Why are some people thin and others fat? What roles do exercise and genetics play in our weight? What foods should we eat, and what foods should we avoid?

Packed with essential information and concluding with an easy-to-follow diet, Why We Get Fat is an invaluable key in our understanding of an international epidemic and a guide to what each of us can do about it.

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

©2010 Gary Taubes (P)2010 Random House

Why We Get Fat is a great book!

Learn how and why we get fat; the details are outlined so the listener can really understand the basics.

Eye opening

This book is eye opening, detailed, and filled with anecdotal research.

I highly recommend this book to anyone trying to lose weight or who has reached a plateau in their weight loss journey.

Compelling

This is a compelling case, but the rigour which the author applies in debunking some myths could be applied to some of his own claims. Possibly this comes through references which I didn't have on hand while listening to this book, but it is an interesting read nonetheless.

NOT just for fat people

Where does Why We Get Fat rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It was recommended by a friend of mine when I wanted to lose some weight. I've always been a skeptic, so I thought all diets were.... essentially BS... I love science, and I look forward to read his other book when i have time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Why We Get Fat?

When he said that LDL's might not be as bad as we think

What about Mike Chamberlain’s performance did you like?

it was very good, i cannot complain about anything. Good job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted, but I don't have the attention span required to do that, I have to go jogging, biking or something else.

Any additional comments?

Follow up on more of these things! Hyperlipedemias, bp, etc... please!

Enjoyable and Informative

This is a very informative book especially for those who are new to low-carb diets. There is a great deal of research and scientific information shared supporting the benefits of low-carb lifestyles. I highly recommend it.

Best book I’ve read on nutrition

Highly Recommend!!!!! So much good information here. Really hard to argue with the author on his points backed up by solid science.

Enlightening ...but a bit skewed I think.

I read this after reading a review from Douglas Wilson. He called it "a lot of fun" science journalism. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/324432894. And it was... Tho is lot of the evidence he gives for his position is footed in an agnostic (not sure that that's his actual position... It's just how it came across in the book) view. There was one point in the book where I felt he had written himself out of being able to tell us "what to do about" our getting fat because he had presented so many animal experiments showing us that if our biology was gonna make us fat there was no amount of will that would change it. He went so far as to refute the sins of gluttony and sloth, saying they were actually purely a result of hormone imbalance. On this I disagree. But I think it's a result of his belief in evolution that skewed his research and interpretation of the research. I did find the book very interesting over all and learned a lot about food and diet that i had always been puzzled by. It's a good read... Read it with a filter.. But I do think it addresses and attempts to answer a lot of questions.

great book with detailed scientific explanations

fantastic book which has help me to understand how the body and food interact. Very detailed with a fantastic amount of scientific evidence and research talked about. I've gone through it many times it is so valuable. also you can skip around to chapters which interest you more very easily.

great listen

loved the historic facts and why we believe certain aspects of losing weight. very informative.

Excellent science, rational argument

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Gary Taubes proves his point over and over and over. He omits the politics that apparently affect what our government agencies do about the problem. It looks like the soft drink industry is going to beat up on Mayor Bloomberg for attacking obesity where it should be attacked. Mr. Taubes' book is too scientific; it will never reach the common person who is eating Big Macs and drinking 24 ounce sugared colas. Mr. Taubes should get someone like Richard Dawkins to help him make a controversial and unpopular idea more interesting to the general public.