In a digital age, the world is flooded with more information that you could ever read, and most of it is based on shoddy science and old wives tales. If you are tired of fad diets and hyped-up exercise programs, maybe it's time to revisit the basics of weight loss. According to Gary Taubes, author of "Good Calories, Bad Calories," the obesity epidemic stems from an abundance of processed foods and the notable absence of rigorous science in dietary guidelines.
Step 1
Stop fearing fat. As recently as the 1960s, many diets were focused on meat and had much higher levels of saturated fat, says Taubes. Dr. Michael Eades and Dr. Mary Dan Eades, authors of "Protein Power," adamantly claim that clinical trials have proven time and again the benefits of a diet high in meat and saturated fat. In fact, according to research explained in Eades' book, saturated fat can actually improve cardiovascular risk factors.
Step 2
Stop exercising. In a 2007 piece for New York Times magazine, Taubes explains that exercise is a poor means of weight loss because it spikes hunger. While exercise has many valuable benefits, a better way to lose weight is adopting a good old-fashioned diet of meat.
Step 3
Stop eating processed foods. Author and blogger Timothy Ferriss chronicled the results of his low-carb experiment over the course of 30 days, resulting in 20 pounds of fat loss, which was verified by Dr. Peggy Plato at the Human Performance Laboratory at San Jose State University. During this period, he ate primarily meat, legumes, eggs and vegetables. According to Ferriss, the best way to lose weight is to avoid anything white, including bread, rice, cereal, potatoes, pasta and fried food with breading.
Step 4
Stop drinking calories. Sodas, milk and other beverages are often loaded with sugars and other fast-acting carbohydrates, warns Ferriss. Sugars and sweeteners increase blood glucose and spike the body's insulin levels, says Taubes. The result is exactly what you want to avoid--weight gain. To shed pounds, stick to plain old water.
Tips and Warnings
- Find a couple meals you enjoy following the above guidelines, then eat them multiple times each week. This routine helps eliminate undisciplined snacking by providing healthy alternatives. If you want to exercise, consider weight training as an alternative to cardio. Muscle mass consumes more calories than fatty tissue and results in a higher metabolic resting rate. That's just a fancy way of saying that adding 10 pounds of muscle will help you burn more calories throughout the day, regardless of your activity level.
- While Dr. Michael Eades and Dr. Mary Dan Eades recommend increasing your intake of saturated fats, they strongly caution against eating trans fats.
References
- "Good Calories, Bad Calories: Fats, Carbs and the Controversial Science of Diet and Health"; Gary Taubes; 2008
- "The Protein Power Lifeplan"; Michael Eades and Mary Dan Eades; 2001
- New York Magazine: Does Exercise Really Make Us Thinner?
Member Comments