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

A Shelter Against The Storm of Obesity.

What made the experience of listening to Why We Get Fat the most enjoyable?

The narration that almost incarnates the Author. I have read the written version, and Mr Chamberlain is simply perfect.

Who was your favorite character and why?

"WE" is the only character of the documentary "WE" can get fat... and WE can avoid it.

Have you listened to any of Mike Chamberlain’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have only read excerpts and free chapters, without a special attention. I have listened, specially, to a piece of Good Calories, Bad Calories. It is the same good and emotional narrator.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The part that speaks about experiences with rats. And the part that mentions my country - Brazil, in a reality that I have seen one thousand times of the dismal state of nutrition of the population.

Any additional comments?

If you, dear reader or reviewer REALLY WANT to stop blaming at yourself, charging yourself of self-indulgency, glutony and lack of will-power... then you MUST read/listen to this book, and break down the paradigms. It is the New Testament of Nutrition.

Changes everything!

This book and the research it contains changes everything I have ever considered true about health and weight loss. I am so thankful the have found it and am already experiencing the benefits. Absolutely recommended

Great research

This is the research I wish I could do. My thanks to Gary Taubes! Lays out the case, and the history, and tells you exactly how your body works, so you can make your own choices.

After reading this book and Wheatbelly Iost 50 lbs

Would you consider the audio edition of Why We Get Fat to be better than the print version?

Yes I would, I prefer audiobooks.

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

Well I wasn't planning on listening to this book all in one sitting but that is what happened, then I listened all over again !

Any additional comments?

I also started the diet modifications right away and so far I have lost 50 pounds in 9 months.I am much healthier and very thankful to Gary Tubes I have not found it hard at all to make this way of eating as a lifetime commitment.

Excellent, well-researched book

This is an excellent, well-researched book on nutrition that everyone should read or listen to for their health. The narrator does a wonderful job. I bought this on audible, but I also have it in hardback. Gary Taubes has written other books on related topics (calories and sugar) which are just as important and worth listening to or reading.

The Facts Are Clear

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book and will likely listen to a few chapters again. Well done for those, like me, who benefit from a detailed explanation.

The reader's voice was easy on the ears and allowed me to focus on the content.

Overall, well done!

Great idea, but I wish...

I learned the effects of excess lipids in my blood, I wish I could know the opposite as well: little or none.

Life Changing

He took on the subject of diet to chase down the science. He was not in it to sell a diet. That’s why this is so believable. It totally changed my thoughts of food. I’ve always struggled with weight. Now it’s effortless.

I cannot recommend this book enough.

Very inspiring!!! I just hope it's all true!

It amazes me that we could still be trying to figure out how weight loss really works, but this book pretty much proves there's still a lot of controversy on this subject. The author makes some pretty convincing arguments and all at once I feel liberated. Like I can totally take this on after a lifetime of being burdened by weight. (Literally and figuratively) I finally feel like it's never been my fault that diets have failed me.

The two best concepts in the book, aside from cut carbs, lose weight
1. You are not fat because you eat too much. You eat too much because you're getting fat. The problem is not as simple as calories in calories out, and starving through every diet in the book is only going to make things worse.
2. Carbs are not a nutritional necessity! Your body does not prefer carbs over fat for fuel. The reason your body burns carbs first is to get rid of them. I've repeated this one to a couple of people already and gotten some funny looks but it makes perfect sense to me after hearing the arguments.
Bottom line, I highly recommend this book. Yes, there's science. Yes, some parts are boring. But if you can get through those parts, he does simplify and break it down. And you will feel empowered by all of it.

Eye opening dietary science for the layman.

Understanding the science behind what goes on in our bodies when we eat certain foods can often be difficult with out the aid of a biology/chemistry degree.

Gary Taub makes this information easy to understand, critical in the current dietary climate of misinformation, based on old and flawed research.

He presents an argument, backed with research that he presents in such a way it's easy to understand and hard to refute.

It will make you reconsider the way you think about health, diet, exercise, weightloss and why we get fat.