Usually if I find an interesting article on the interwebs, I'll
Twitterize it. But since Gary Taubes is a well known figure in the obesity world and this article is written so anyone can understand it, I wanted to share it via the blog. Here is his Newsweek article
"Why the Campaign to Stop America's Obesity Crisis Keeps Failing." In it, he describes HBO's new four-part series
The Weight of the Nation. Although the creators have good intentions to address America's obesity, it still relies on old-fashioned thinking: calories in should equal calories out, you should exercise to lose weight, etc.
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| I eat a lot of meat with plenty of saturated fat... |
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| ...so that means I must be really fat! |
Taubes has already addressed these issues ad nasium in his books
Good Calories, Bad Calories and
Why We Get Fat. He, and other paleo/primal gurus such as Mark Sisson, Robb Wolf, and Kurt Harris, have all addressed the fact that calories are not created equal and despite the recommendation to be active and exercise, it will not impact your weight/fat loss as much as your nutrition. I know, I know, it's hard to believe that 1000 calories of cupcakes does not equal 1000 calories of meat and vegetables. And no, that elliptical you were on for an hour will not help you lose weight. I address this in my post
Skinny-Fat, Cortisol, and Why Cardio Doesn't Work.
If this is all news to you and if you want to read more from Taubes, pick up
Why We Get Fat if you the average Joe Schmoe and need things in plain English. If you are a biochemistry nerd, or love citations, then hit up
GCBC. But if you are in fact a biochemistry nerd with a preference towards paleo/primal eating, then you probably have already read
GCBC.
If Paleo/Primal is new to you, then head over to my Paleo 101 post. Keep reading and learning, as doing so will help you make your own decisions when it comes to food and nutrition. It's one thing to eat a certain way just because someone tells you to. It's a different thing when you know WHY.
