Good Calories, Bad Calories

Fats, Carbs, and the Controversial Science of Diet and Health

Gary Taubes

Book Synopsis

In "Good Calories, Bad Calories," renowned science writer Gary Taubes delves into the complex world of nutrition, challenging traditional beliefs about weight gain and loss. Taubes presents an extensive review of scientific literature, dissecting studies and exposing flawed theories that have shaped our understanding of caloric balance.

Taubes questions the widely accepted idea that obesity is simply caused by consuming more calories than we expend. He meticulously examines the metabolic effects of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, shedding light on how different macronutrients influence our body's storage and utilization of calories.

By exploring the science behind low-carbohydrate diets, Taubes challenges the prevailing belief that fat consumption is detrimental to our health. Delving into the history of dietary guidelines and industry-sponsored research, he unravels the misconceptions surrounding fat and sugar, emphasizing the importance of critical analysis when evaluating nutritional recommendations.

Through the exploration of evidence concerning insulin, obesity, and metabolic disorders, Taubes highlights the limitations of calorie-counting and the role of genetics in weight regulation. He challenges the notion that all calories are equal, emphasizing the importance of understanding how different foods affect our hormones and metabolic processes.

While "Good Calories, Bad Calories" offers a comprehensive analysis of the controversy surrounding nutrition, Taubes also provides practical advice for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. By debunking common myths and providing a scientific foundation, Taubes empowers readers to make informed choices about their diets, ultimately leading to better overall health and wellness.

Explore More Books

See All
Prime Movers of Globalization
The Origin of Wealth
101 Reasons to Get Out of Bed
Systems Medicine
Building the Intentional University
From Bacteria to Bach and Back
Hit Refresh
The Splendid and the Vile
Profile of a Nation
Deep Survival
The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress
The Black Jacobins
Getting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got
The Anatomy of Buzz
An Immense World
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
The Overview Effect
Faraday, Maxwell, and the Electromagnetic Field
Built To Last
DMT: The Spirit Molecule
Showing Up for Life
The Price We Pay
The Big Picture
The Black Dahlia
It's All Too Much
The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
Seeker
Be Here Now
Every Shot Counts
Zen Mind, Beginners Mind
Out of Many, One
Troublemakers
The Culture Code
The Bet
The Giving Tree
Boyd
Leaders
Switch
The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo
Dear Founder
Pale Rider
Vagabonding
Dune
The Upright Thinkers
The Writing Life
The God Delusion
Revolution
Steve Jobs
Mortal Republic
Thirst
Jane Eyre
Who Moved My Cheese?
The Power To Compete
The Sheltering Sky
The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty
Talking To Humans
How Companies Win
The Wisdom Paradox
Hyperbole and a Half
The Value Investors
The Only Game In Town
Continental Reckoning
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Not Fade Away
Six Thinking Hats
Numbers Don't Lie
Energy
Gridiron Genius
Money: Master The Game
Stumbling on Happiness
Incognito
Ficciones
Autobiography of a Yogi
Race and Culture
The Great Gatsby
Into The Silence
The Charisma Myth
Oscar
Uncaring
Death Rattle
Only the Paranoid Survive
The Art Of Doing Science And Engineering
The Crisis of Global Capitalism
Breath From Salt
The Jack Vance Treasury
In Over Our Heads
Lenin
Small Is the New Big
Long Walk to Freedom
Taken for Granted
What If?
Zoning Rules!
The Heart
Dreamland
The Trump Century
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Planetary
The Opium of the Intellectuals
Tenth of December
UFO Hunters