I just finished reading this book, Why We Get Fat. One of my friends read it recently, and recommended it to me. I read In Defense of Food not too long ago, and it was interesting to read this book soon after. What I took away from In Defense of Food, is to stay away from processed foods. Eat real, whole foods. Before reading Why We Get Fat, I assumed it would have similar ideas as to what to eat to be lean and healthy. But I was totally wrong! The main idea I took away from Why We Get Fat is to stay away from carbohydrates.

Honestly, I feel like every time I read a book about food, or watch a movie about food, I’m more confused about what foods are healthy, and what aren’t. I feel like I don’t even know what a healthy diet means anymore. It all depends on what you read, and what is the latest research finding.

The author of Why We Get Fat argues that the “calories in, calories out” theory is incorrect. And also that exercise doesn’t result in weight loss. When I first read both of these ideas, I automatically thought, “what is this guy talking about?”. But in a way, this does make sense. The type of calories we eat matters, not just the number. And when you exercise, you tend to eat more because exercising makes us hungry.

“And if reducing calories-in doesn’t make us lose weight, and if increasing calories out doesn’t even prevent us from gaining it, maybe we should rethink the whole thing and find out what does.”

The book also talks about how our bodies regulate fat. And that we get fat because our bodies are not regulating fat correctly. We tend to believe that people get fat because they eat too much and are lazy. The author suggests that we actually eat more because we are fat. As a child grows, the child eats more because he is growing, rather than the other way around. The same goes for people who are overweight.

“We don’t get fat because we overeat; we overeat because we are getting fat.” I had never heard this reasoning before. Interesting.

Insulin was big topic in the book. Insulin plays a role in fat regulation, and is something we have some control over with the foods we eat. “… it’s carbohydrates that ultimately determines insulin secretion and insulin that drives the accumulation of body fat.” Carbs increase blood sugar, and therefore insulin secretion which in turn makes us fat. So if we limit our intake of carbs, that should reduce insulin secretion resulting in less fat accumulation.

The author also discusses how low carb diets are “heart healthy”. This section really surprised me. I always thought diets, such as the Atkins diet, might make you lose weight but are not actually “healthy”. But according to this book, they are.

One concept I just can’t wrap my mind around, is that whole grains and fruit are not good for us. I understand that sugar is really bad. And that refined carbohydrates like white sugar and flour, and processed foods are not healthy. But whole grains and fruit? I just don’t understand. However, the author does talk about how different people can handle different amounts of carbs. One person might be able to eat some fruit and whole grains and stay lean, while another person might have to cut out all carbs to lose weight or stay lean.

The end of the book includes a “No Sugar, No Starch Diet”. Within the diet, it says you can eat as much protein and fat as you want (until you are full), but to eat virtually no carbs (less than 20 grams per day). You can’t eat any sugar including honey and maple syrup, no whole grains, and no fruit. This diet sounds pretty miserable to me.

Even though I feel a little confused after reading different books, articles, or watching movies about food, I still enjoy learning all about it. I tend to take parts and pieces of different sources and apply them to my diet. While I’m not going to start following the low carb diet in this book, I will be more conscious of the carbs I’m eating. And I’m going to continue to try to reduce refined sugar in my diet.

There is a ton of information in this book. The few things I mention above are just parts of the book that stood out to me. I definitely recommend reading this book if you like reading about food like I do.

Have you read Why We Get Fat? If so, what did you think? Are you confused by all the information out there regarding food, and what is considered a healthy diet?

P.S. It snowed yesterday and today! I took this photo at 5am this morning when I was leaving to go to the pool, so it’s  a little dark. I think we had about an inch and a half this morning.