Good Calories/Bad Calories?

[Promise]

Hello All... how many of you have read the Gary Taubes book (Good Calories/Bad Calories)? and Did YOU Like It?
im considering buying it Today and i would LOVE to know all of your Opinions... PLEASE...
Good AND Bad ... What Did You Think About It...?

[kate58]

Re: Good Calories/Bad Calories?

It's a fantastic book, but not an easy read. Not all the scientific stuff, though there is lots of that, but just the sheer amount of information that is coming at you. It's a real eye opener though, and well worth reading.

[Hudson]

Re: Good Calories/Bad Calories?

The most complete, most well researched, most impressive Low carb book ever written. It will change the prevailing wisdom about carbohydrates, exercise, fat and weight loss. (and maybe a few other things)

I mumble to myself as I read: Wow... Very Interesting...That makes sense... Exactly!! Amazing!

After you read it you will be ready to confront any Anti-Atkins bias with total confidence.

It is long and it is a little repetitive in spots. And can be a chore to read. But incredible information.

[not2late]

Re: Good Calories/Bad Calories?

Some of it has been discussed in the "Dr. Atkins' Death" thread and I think there is a thread about it in the News and REsearch section of the Board.

[grovemonkey]

Re: Good Calories/Bad Calories?

I've read that his book cherry picks research from various sources while ignoring evidence from others. That's about the worst critisim I've read and not sure if I agree but you asked for the bad. There have been a number of criticism of Taubes put up online. Just search google for the book title with "criticisms" and you can see numerous references.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Good Calories/Bad Calories?

Taubes asserts in his book that the low fat fanatics have also "cherry picked research" from various sources while ignoring evidence from others. Ironic, isn't it?

[grovemonkey]

Re: Good Calories/Bad Calories?

I agree with you on that. Low-fat people like taking swings at Taubes while meat promoting organization take swings at books like "the china study". It's all a bit too subjective and up for interpretation for me to feel that strongly opinionated either way.

I have noticed though that almost all groups agree that removing refined products is a key to weight loss. Though the potato is matter of debate, most diets say to avoid white flour and refined sugars.

[Hudson]

Re: Good Calories/Bad Calories?

Having read the book, I don't think "cherry picking" is fair at all. He explains why he rejects some research or more importantly the conclusions based on that research.

For a low carber this book rings so true. Many times I finish a chapter and just sit and think about what that chapter explains about my life.

And the point of his book is not necessarily that he has the answers, but that the acccepted dogma is without scientific merrit - lets look again.

And the China Study is an elementary text compared with Good Calories Bad Calories as far as depth of information goes.

I haven't been able to find any good negative reviews of the book. Just "I'm not convinced" and a pitiful attempted refutation of the 11 points from the epilogue of the book. The later was absolutely pitiful - could not have even read the book.

[VGrace]

Re: Good Calories/Bad Calories?

I bought it weeks ago and have yet to finish the 1st chapter. Its already very interesting and I really need to take the time to sit and read it but like someone else said its not an easy read.

[Hudson]

Re: Good Calories/Bad Calories?

vgrace

You might have better luck in part 2 and part 3. I skipped a couple of chapters in part 1. Read the carbohydrate stuf (sugar, fiber, fattening diets). It goes a little faster.

[staziaw]

Re: Good Calories/Bad Calories?

It is a densely packed book, but well worth the read. I found that he took the appropriate journalistic standpoint - present as much of the facts as you can and get out of the way! He does talk about the high carb/low fat diets, which have primarily been about for 50-60 years, countering it with studies, articles, and commentary on low carb/high fat diets, which have been documented for over 100 years.

It is interesting, illuminating, relatively unbiased, and fascinating. As a study of journalism, I felt Gary did a great job. I've read almost all of the negative reviews I could find online . . . guess what, most of them were poorly written, poorly researched, or obviously slanted in the "accepted" direction promoted by the AMA and NIH of low fat is the only way to go.

Obviously these folks have never met all the goalies on this site!!

Rock on,
Stacy

[VGrace]

Re: Good Calories/Bad Calories?

Thanks Hudson I may do that