Proteinaholic

How Our Obsession with Meat Is Killing Us and What We Can Do About It

By: Garth Davis MD

Narrated by: Corey M. Snow

Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Whether you are seeing a doctor, a nutritionist, or a trainer, all of them advise eating more protein. Foods, drinks, and supplements are loaded with extra protein. Many people use protein for weight control while others believe it gives them more energy. Now, weight loss expert Dr. Garth Davis asks, "Is all this protein making us healthier?"

The answer, he emphatically argues, is no. Too much protein is actually making us sick, fat, and tired, according to Dr. Davis. If you are getting adequate calories in your diet, there is no such thing as protein deficiency. The healthiest countries in the world eat far less protein than we do, and yet we have an entire nation getting sicker by the day.

As a surgeon, Dr. Davis was frustrated by the ever-increasing number of sick and overweight patients, but it wasn't until his own health scare that he realized he could do something about it. Combining cutting-edge research with his hands-on patient experience, this groundbreaking book reveals the truth about the dangers of protein and shares a proven approach to weight loss, health, and longevity.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2015 Garth Davis (P)2016 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Exhaustively researched and fascinating." ( Publishers Weekly)

Want to know more about your health?

I loved this book! And I have to say thank you for all of the scientific research that backs up all the facts when it comes down to plant based nutrition!! I am a 2x Pro Vegan Bodybuilder, Master Fitness Trainer, and Health Coach and this book has given me more knowledge to spread and teach to all of my clients and the world when I do public speaking events!!

Okay, okay. I got it. Stop!!!

STORY (health/diet) - So this is a very informative book. My relatively low review is mostly because I was unrealistic with my expectations when I bought it. I'm very interested in health/diet information and I have been contemplating adopting a vegetarian lifestyle. I was thinking this book might give me the facts and ammunition I need to give up eating meat. So what was I expecting other than lots of scientific facts and reason why I shouldn't eat meat? Duh!

At any rate, this book is chock FULL of technical tests, scientific facts and information. The last 3-4 hours were the most helpful, especially Chapter 10. That part of the book has more simplified, useful information for the lay listener.

PERFORMANCE - Good job, nothing special.

OVERALL - If you're interested in lots of very technical reasons why meat is bad for you, look no further! Just be aware that you may get more than you asked for!

A lesson I enjoyed!

I fully enjoyed this book and am planning to purchase a hard copy of this book! I enjoyed how this whole protein craze started and how we got to where we are today and how diets got started and why we decided to eat animal meat and how it has changed over the centuries and how to start eating a plant based diet and other helpful tips and suggestions. I would suggest this book for those who want to know and how to get started on eating better for yourself and for the environment.

Great critique of low-carb/paleo talking points

I found Proteinaholic really enjoyable. I started eating WFPB only 4 weeks ago. Before that I was a died-in-the-wool low-carb advocate from about 2000 to 2014. After that I was a bit conflicted, but still thought that heavy meat consumption was ok for many (most?) people, just not those with certain genes that predisposed them to be "overly sensative" to saturated fat.

I totally bought into the evolutionary aspects of low-carb visa vis the paleo diet theory. It just made so much sense to me. Which is why I'm so glad I came across Dr. Garth's book. It really made a point at going through each of the talking points and tropes that you find in low-carb/paleo circles and why so many of them don't hold water. I feel like I was hoodwinked and worse, was deluding MYSELF for years because I'd just bought into one side of the argument. This while I marveled at how people could deny global warming despite all the evidence. I think it goes to show that all of us are quite capable of buying into something and then refusing to look at evidence that may be contrary - or just trying to rationalize that evidence away despite it's value, because if it goes against your worldview. Cognitive dissonance!

The book takes you through Davis's personal journey of his own denial and slow realization that our collective delusion about the primacy of protein is based of fallacies and marketers taking advantage of that. He takes you through many studies to show that the "preponderance of evidence" indicates that a plant-based diet is the healthiest one for humans, but is also fair about saying exactly what we do and don't have scientific "proof" of - but also what can practically and reasonably be expected as far as studies that could be done.

All in all, this was a great listen!

Refreshingly Fact Filled

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Finally, some facts you can use and share. I appreciate the deep delve into Atkins, Pritikin and other food movements and their founders (including their autopsy results). Also, mind blowing was the recommended levels of protein vs. what is consumed, and how some athletic trainers can miscalculate for clients the amount of protein needed.

While the comparison between the omnivore vs. carnivore digestive system was familiar, the way that the information was presented kept me engaged the entire time. Lastly, the narrator was fantastic.

This book is a must have!

Loved it. Every line of it. This was the mudge I needed to go fully plant based and oil free. That was it! Exactly 10 days ago I started it. Not looking back. Energy levels are up, exercise level is up, I am eating a lot, never hungry, and feeling amazing. I want the whole world to know this. Eat plants, heal your body.

Davis made what could have been dull interesting

Davis did what I thought could never be done, convince me that eating meat was bad for me. That all the paleo advice and Adkins diets were just a bunch of BS. Cutting meat out of my diet would revive my health and energy. He had me from the point about his energy level had improved so much he had to run marathons to expel all that energy.

I decided that I would begin by scaling back, eating meat as a side, a flavoring instead of the main part of the meal. What I found is I liked it, loved it in fact.

Davis's book is well written, and his arguments are convincing. Snow's narration is perfect for the book and makes you want to listen again. Now, when I read something about eating more protein, I know that it is just BS.

Thoughtful

I enjoyed this thoughtful, well-reasoned book. Using data to support eating plant based was truly life changing for me. As a bariatric surgery patient, I look forward to being able to 1) overcome some misconceptions/beliefs I was taught during the surgery process and 2) starting a plant based diet.

this author refutes the whole Paleo disaster

What made the experience of listening to Proteinaholic the most enjoyable?

the author made his case in an easy to understand and effective presentation of the subject.

What did you like best about this story?

He didn't play with the subject matter but made definitive argument against consuming meat if you want to avoid heart disease etc

Which scene was your favorite?

the illustration citing the Inuit peoples group and the contrast with the health of the "blue zone groups"

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

to much to absorb in one sitting

Any additional comments?

When I downloaded this book I did not expect to be convinced on his position. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I download and listen to almost all of the books on audio on this subject so I had a lot to compare it with. It was very enlightening.

Life Changing

I started eating vegan while listening to this book and have loss 20lbs, exercising daily and trying to recruit others. Thank you Dr