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What Are You Reading Wednesday...
Apr. 17th, 2013 10:51 amStill on the nutrition book kick...
What I Just Finished Reading:
Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes
It re-covers a lot of the ground from his older book Good Calories/Bad Calories, but it does have the newer science involving lipids, lipid resistance, and fructose's impact on the liver. Overall a good book and a quicker read (with fewer scientific studies) than Good Calories. (Though it's also clear that in the time after writing Good Calories, Taubes has gone from investigating various things about nutrition to becoming a full-tilt low-carb advocate.)
What I'm Reading Now:
A Storm of Swords by GRRMartin
Re-reading with the season of GOT, though I'm slightly ahead. I'm almost to the *** *******. The night is dark and... you know the rest.
Wheat Belly by William Davis (audible book)
First, the narration is OMG so very terrible! It's like they turned on the read text function rather than hire an actual human being to read the book! It's darn near unlistenable. Only interesting bit so far is exactly how genetically modified current wheat is (the answer is VERY genetically modified and not just through cross-breeding strains but through irradiation. Thanks, Monsanto! You've really grossed me out!) Other than that, I haven't gotten very far because OMG the narration is awful!
The Paleo Blueprint by Mark Sisson
Okay, usually I stick more to the scienctific books rather than "diet" books. This guy is clearly a diet/fitness guru and not a scientist and it shows. I'm more skeptical of his 'science' but I do take him somewhat seriously regarding exercise (since he was an Olympic marathoner and personal trainer). Surprisingly for an ex Olympic marathoner and personal trainer, he doesn't advise that you exercise excessively, suggesting 2 hours A WEEK of "low and slow" be the majority of your exercise (a 30 min walk a day? fine) with only occasional intense stuff, preferably involved in 'play' rather than gym cardio.
Though I am wary of much of his 'science', I did like the diet guideline of if you're aiming to maintain weight 100 - 150g carbs daily. If you're trying to lose weight 50-100 grams carbs daily. Eat veggies and whole foods, and avoid sugar and wheat. Sometimes something simplified like that is easier, and this is more or less the plan I'm on now. (50-100 grams carbs is actually rather easy as long as sugar and wheat are avoided. I eat copious amounts of vegetables in large variety (even sweet potatoes) and a least two servings of fruit a day without ever coming close to the 100 grams mark. The only time I grow near is if I eat something like white potatoes, white rice, or bread.)
Still, it's clear that this guy is no scientist. This is essentially a diet guru, so my approach contains more skepticism. (And I've yet to be convinced of the paleo diet gurus' aversions to dairy (though there seems to be disagreement among various paleo people regarding dairy) or most legumes. I've read the explanations about legumes, and I remain unconvinced. Plus, I consider dairy (as long as it's added-hormone and antibiotic free -- preferably pasture raised {All Organic Valley dairy products are}) to be part of a healthy diet and consume it daily while still losing weight. Plus, since beginning to avoid sugar, my lactose intolerance seems to have gone away.
What I Just Finished Reading:
Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes
It re-covers a lot of the ground from his older book Good Calories/Bad Calories, but it does have the newer science involving lipids, lipid resistance, and fructose's impact on the liver. Overall a good book and a quicker read (with fewer scientific studies) than Good Calories. (Though it's also clear that in the time after writing Good Calories, Taubes has gone from investigating various things about nutrition to becoming a full-tilt low-carb advocate.)
What I'm Reading Now:
A Storm of Swords by GRRMartin
Re-reading with the season of GOT, though I'm slightly ahead. I'm almost to the *** *******. The night is dark and... you know the rest.
Wheat Belly by William Davis (audible book)
First, the narration is OMG so very terrible! It's like they turned on the read text function rather than hire an actual human being to read the book! It's darn near unlistenable. Only interesting bit so far is exactly how genetically modified current wheat is (the answer is VERY genetically modified and not just through cross-breeding strains but through irradiation. Thanks, Monsanto! You've really grossed me out!) Other than that, I haven't gotten very far because OMG the narration is awful!
The Paleo Blueprint by Mark Sisson
Okay, usually I stick more to the scienctific books rather than "diet" books. This guy is clearly a diet/fitness guru and not a scientist and it shows. I'm more skeptical of his 'science' but I do take him somewhat seriously regarding exercise (since he was an Olympic marathoner and personal trainer). Surprisingly for an ex Olympic marathoner and personal trainer, he doesn't advise that you exercise excessively, suggesting 2 hours A WEEK of "low and slow" be the majority of your exercise (a 30 min walk a day? fine) with only occasional intense stuff, preferably involved in 'play' rather than gym cardio.
Though I am wary of much of his 'science', I did like the diet guideline of if you're aiming to maintain weight 100 - 150g carbs daily. If you're trying to lose weight 50-100 grams carbs daily. Eat veggies and whole foods, and avoid sugar and wheat. Sometimes something simplified like that is easier, and this is more or less the plan I'm on now. (50-100 grams carbs is actually rather easy as long as sugar and wheat are avoided. I eat copious amounts of vegetables in large variety (even sweet potatoes) and a least two servings of fruit a day without ever coming close to the 100 grams mark. The only time I grow near is if I eat something like white potatoes, white rice, or bread.)
Still, it's clear that this guy is no scientist. This is essentially a diet guru, so my approach contains more skepticism. (And I've yet to be convinced of the paleo diet gurus' aversions to dairy (though there seems to be disagreement among various paleo people regarding dairy) or most legumes. I've read the explanations about legumes, and I remain unconvinced. Plus, I consider dairy (as long as it's added-hormone and antibiotic free -- preferably pasture raised {All Organic Valley dairy products are}) to be part of a healthy diet and consume it daily while still losing weight. Plus, since beginning to avoid sugar, my lactose intolerance seems to have gone away.
