In 1960, almost no one had Type 2 diabetes. Today it’s 1 in 11. Gary Taubes spent 20 years investigating how we got here — and why sugar, not fat, was the real threat all along. This is a rare conversation where someone doesn’t just challenge consensus — they expose how it formed in the first place.
Now available on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Transcript
It seems that nowadays, aside from religion and politics, one of the most hotly debated topics is that of nutrition.
Should we eat high-carb diets? Low-carb? High-fat? High-protein? What about wheat or gluten? Should we eat meat or adopt a vegan diet?
There are as many opinions as there are people — and books, magazines, and websites are overflowing with information showing you the “right” way to eat and exercise to lose weight.
But if “eating less and moving more” is all it takes to lose weight and enjoy a healthy lifestyle, why are so many of us fat and getting fatter?
In today’s episode, I chat with Gary Taubes, bestselling author of three books, The Case Against Sugar (2016), Why We Get Fat and What to Do About It (2011), and Good Calories, Bad Calories (2007).
We talk about the sharp rise of obesity and diabetes in America, discuss the structural hurdles to effective nutrition research, and explore the common myth that a calorie is just a calorie.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation:
- How diets shifted in the last century and what impact it’s having on our bodies today
- Why a carb isn’t just a carb — and why you should know the difference
- Why the sugar industry might be the new Big Tobacco
- What role genetics play in our health and how much is under our control
- Why humans are so attracted to sugar and how to break the habit
- Gary’s suggestions to improve your health, drop body fat, and feel terrific
- The benefits of fasting and how you can try it out yourself
And a bunch more.
If you think at all about your health, give this podcast a listen.
Gary’s Books:
People, Books, & Articles Mentioned:
- Denis Parsons Burkitt
- 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created
- NYT article: What If It’s All a Big Fat Lie?
- Jerome Groopman’s review of Gary’s book
- Mechanisms, Pathophysiology, and Management of Obesity (New England Journal of Medicine)
