Preview
  • Good Calories, Bad Calories

  • Fats, Carbs, and the Controversial Science of Diet and Health
  • By: Gary Taubes
  • Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
  • Length: 25 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (218 ratings)

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Good Calories, Bad Calories

By: Gary Taubes
Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
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Publisher's summary

This groundbreaking book by award-winning science writer and bestselling author of Why We Get Fat and The Case for Keto shows us that almost everything we believe about the nature of a healthy diet is wrong.

For decades we have been taught that fat is bad for us, carbohydrates better, and that the key to a healthy weight is eating less and exercising more. Yet despite this advice, we have seen unprecedented epidemics of obesity and diabetes. Taubes argues that the problem lies in refined carbohydrates, like white flour, easily digested starches, and sugars, and that the key to good health is the kind of calories we take in, not the number.

Called “a very important book,” by Andrew Weil and …” destined to change the way we think about food,” by Michael Pollan, this groundbreaking book by award-winning science writer Gary Taubes shows us that almost everything we believe about the nature of a healthy diet is wrong.

©2007 Gary Taubes (P)2020 Random House Audio
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Critic reviews

“If Taubes were inclined to sensationalism, he might have titled this book The Great Low-Fat Diet Hoax. Instead, he tackles the subject with the seriousness and scientific insight it deserves, building a devastating case against the low-fat, high-carb way of life endorsed by so many nutrition experts in recent years. With diabetes and heart disease at stake as well as obesity, those ‘experts’ owe us an abject apology.” (Barbara Ehrenreich)

Good Calories, Bad Calories is a remarkable accomplishment. From a mountain of diverse scientific evidence Gary Taubes has drawn an amazingly detailed and compelling picture of how diet, obesity, and heart disease link together–and how some of the world’s most important medical researchers got the story colossally wrong. Taubes proves, I think beyond doubt, that the dietary advice we’ve been given for the last three decades by the federal government and the major medical bodies rests on, shall we say, a slender empirical base.” (Charles C. Mann, author of 1491)

“A brave and bold science journalist . . . Taubes does not bow to the current fashion for narrative nonfiction, instead building his argument case by case . . . much of what Taubes relates will be eye-opening.” (The New York Times Book Review)

“Fascinating . . . Mr. Taubes has a gift for turning complex scientific principles into engaging narrative.” (The Wall Street Journal)

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What listeners say about Good Calories, Bad Calories

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A bit like drinking from a firehose, but worth it

A tour de force comprehensive review of all the 'science' behind the current thinking of what constitutes a healthy diet, pointing out the many flaws in the research and where people got it wrong. Not for the casual listener but more for those who truly want to understand the history of how here. Taubs could have condensed his story a lot but it is an amazing piece of comprehensive investigative reporting that is unparalleled and invaluable reading for those who really desire to understand all this. I don't regret my time investment in this book.

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Amazing

Medical researchers are afraid that eating carbohydrates is what has caused the obesity epidemic therefore they refuse to do a study that would prove that and thus expose the corrupt nature of the research community!
They have overturned 150 years of medical practice with only options and not science! Thus 70% of Americans are now obese due to their recommendations to eat a high carbohydrate diet!

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Good book, with someone with nutritional knowledge

This book is a long book, but very informative and reinforces a lot of the theories that are known currently. This book currently reinforces recent research which I before never heard of so this book must have been ahead of its time. Good luck overall, but a little bit long.

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Must read

A must read for anyone serious about understanding nutrition. Repeat with both scientific information, and thorough historical perspective.

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Enlightening

I have to recommend this book to everyone

it's the most logical thing available to understand the history of food and obesity

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The most sensible thing if read all year

Please read…we are all getting sicker and sicker and need this information. We have to break the addiction to sugar.

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Well researched!

This is a great analysis of modern diet with references to hundreds of studies and a very objective and rational approach.

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Excellent review

Thought provoking and powerful argument for science in a field so devoid of it!
Leaders in this field need to get off their horses and get on with it!

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Wish I heard this sooner

This book is so enlightening. I feel like I’ve been dupe by the medical society. As a physician I have been advising my patients incorrectly because I was taught incorrectly. I have been adjust my nutrition to resemble more like your research suggests and I see a difference in my energy level focus and waistline. It’s hard to unlearn something that you have been taught for over fifty years… I guess better late than never. Thank You Mr. Taubes You deserved some type of literary award!!!!

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Wanna know why you are overweight?

Great read to understanding why the current American diet is killing us and causing unprecedented obesity in our country. It’s why we need an overhaul in chronic disease management.

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1 person found this helpful