Scientific theories are set up to be toppled. Remember Galileo? How about Darwin or Pasteur?
If history proves him to be correct, Gary Taubes may one day be in their company. In his controversial new book, “Good Calories, Bad Calories,” Taubes challenges current public health approaches to solving the obesity problem. He argues that foods often promoted as good for us are really bad and foods that are considered prohibited are actually good.
Despite the fact that the amount of fat in the average American’s diet has remained relatively steady over the years, the rates of obesity in recent decades have skyrocketed. Taubes argues that the low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets that doctors and nutritionists have recommended as a means of achieving a healthy weight in fact cause weight gain. He argues that the body releases insulin in response to carbohydrate consumption. Insulin, in turn, promotes the storage of excess calories as fat. Because dietary protein and fat do not cause spikes in insulin, they do not promote the storage of fat. Thus, he concludes, calories from protein and fat are “good” and calories from carbohydrates are “bad.” So, does that mean that carbohydrates should be avoided like the plague and fat and protein should be consumed with reckless abandon? In a word, no.
Taubes does the scientific community a service by questioning theories that have been accepted as gospel truth. His point, I believe, is to instigate further research and bring about changes in how the medical community approaches the obesity problem. The danger in a book such as this is how the public acts on his interpretations.
Carbohydrates are not as bad as Taubes might have us believe. When eaten in moderation, carbohydrates, especially those found in whole grains, fruits, beans and vegetables, do not cause spikes in insulin and therefore do not promote fat storage. And there are so many health-promoting nutrients found only in these foods that it would be unwise to cut them from our diets. A diet deficient in fruits, vegetables and whole grains is associated with increased incidences of certain cancers, heart disease, diabetes and, in fact, obesity.
Achieving or maintaining a healthy weight is simply a matter of burning as many calories as we consume. If we consume as many calories as we burn, we won’t gain weight no matter whether those calories come from carbohydrates, fat or protein. The solutions to solving the obesity problem are not sensational and they won’t grab headlines. Practice portion control. Avoid fast food. Emphasize lean protein, vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains. Exercise. When it comes to weight, there really are no bad calories or good ones.
The book
» “Good Calories, Bad Calories: Challenging the Conventional Wisdom on Diet, Weight Control and Disease”
By Gary Taubes
Alfred A. Knopf, 2007; $27.95
