The Big Fat Surprise

Great book. Challenges your belief system.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend it to a friend because it addresses "numero uno" : health.

What does Erin Bennett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is one of the best narrators I have heard. I have heard the author speak in a podcast and Bennett brings her persona into the story. In this way she is like a good actor.

Any additional comments?

This is one of those books that changed long-held beliefs and reset my worldview. Every few years I run across one. The last time was "Power to Save the World: the Truth about Nuclear Energy" by Gwyneth Cravens. It overthrew decades of received wisdom--what I thought I "knew."
"Big Fat Surprise" does the same thing for the energy source used in our bodies.

This book, like the other, doesn't just make assertions. Seemingly paradoxical ideas are backed up with a lot of convincing history and evidence. Along the way you will learn some nutrition science. And some science history-- including the political corruption of science. If you are disposed to have popular orthodoxies challenged and overturned this is a great book. The kind of book one reads several times.

47 of 48 people found this review helpful

Helped me lose 37lbs

Tons of great information I really enjoyed this book and it really has help me change my life for the better I'm down 37 pounds and 15% body fat thank you Nina

44 of 45 people found this review helpful

Most accessible book on the most screwed up field.

I've read a lot of books on nutrition, having dealt with weight problems my entire life. It wasn't until I started learning the actual science of nutrition that I was able to lose weight, keep it off, and become healthy. There are a handful of books I would recommend as starting places for others who want to follow that path, and, at the top of the list, is The Big Fat Surprise.

Understanding why we are so healthy requires a 50 year dive into history as scientists decided how they thought the world was, stretched the numbers in their experiments to make it look like they were right, then used political persuasion to push those beliefs in an experiment on hundreds of millions of people. The low fat diet, so beloved by dietitians and nutritionists everywhere, was NEVER tested in a controlled fashion before being dumped on the American people, and, with half of the country obese, the results speak for themselves.

Erin Bennett does a great job narrating, keeping the material fresh and interesting throughout. Reading this book is much like peeking behind the Wizard's curtain, and, once you do, you can never look at nutrition the same again.

25 of 26 people found this review helpful

The Big Fat Surprise

Read several books on this subject, food, from veganism to all protein. Was a vegetarian at one time and have since gone the other way. Since neither vegetables or meat are a religion with me, I decided on the food that made me feel good. This book explains why meat, with its fat is good for you. After experimenting, I agree with the author because I feel better, my memory is better, glucose levels are better and not hungry all the time. This is not a diet book, just a book that explains why fat may not be the devil and why vegetables may not be angels.

30 of 32 people found this review helpful

A big fat lesson in corporate and scientific corru

What made the experience of listening to The Big Fat Surprise the most enjoyable?

The book isn't afraid of chipping away at the misinformation, corruption & outright lies against the American people by those who are supposed to have our best interests at heart (no pun intended).

What did you like best about this story?

The in depth research of old studies showing their flaws.

Which character – as performed by Erin Bennett – was your favorite?

N/A

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Any additional comments?

As a physician, I was shocked to learn that most, if not all, I had been taught to tell my patients is most likely incorrect.

34 of 37 people found this review helpful

Must read!

Outside the books of Gary Taubes, she has written a definitive book covering the history of nutrition, especially lipids. She goes into areas previously uncovered. It is presented in an organized, glowing way. This should be required reading for anyone who offers nutrition advice. Great book!

32 of 35 people found this review helpful

2 reasons this is a must read!

Like many MDs across the country I have been astounded at the research that is invalidating the low fat diet dictum that has been embraced for so long. Ms Teicholz' book admirably and accurately shows us the validity of the low carb approach to improved health, but just as importantly shows us how we came to embrace such a misguided viewpoint about saturated fat consumption. Science is valid, but we quickly come to realize how easily it is manipulated by competing interests and agendas. You must read this book for your health, your family's health, and the health of mankind. Mark Zumhagen MD

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Politics aside, some folks respond to LCHF diets

If you're one of these people, this book is great as a resource so that you can understand more of how we all got to this point in time.

How you may have eaten what was inappropriately labeled "healthy" food in the grocery store and found yourself with a number of illnesses. How you might start to explore finding a diet that could cure your illnesses (she mentions a number of researchers such as Volek and Phinney). How you can understand why your doctor who seems pretty reasonable can be so completely against a system that is working for you.

There is so much in this book. I have not read Taubes. But if you are one of the multitude of Americans who are realizing that they must take responsibility for their health, I would highly recommend this book. Shocking to hear how the trans-fats became outlawed, even more shocking to realize that whats next is not necessarily tried and true. The establishment has banished saturated fat and is sticking to the story, come hell or high water. You also get the inside story on the Mediterranean diet, olive soybean and palm oil. You can't make this stuff up. Although many are attacking the author for exactly that. Reality always trumps fiction. Science is settled despite the rapidly increasing obesity rates. You want to know why healthcare costs so much? This is a great book to start to understand that government and doctors have duped the public into a system that values conformity of message over adversarial scientific truth seeking. This is all about to change and this book will help you understand why.

24 of 27 people found this review helpful

Big Edible Oil Worse Than Big Oil

Just as it ought not to surprise any of us that health in America has declined since 1960, so ought it not surprise us that a low-fat, high carb diet is the cause. Everything the heart-diet hypothesis was designed to protect has been made worse. Some will be surprised at the culprits this author claims are behind this tragedy, but it seems pretty obvious in this interesting and well-researched book.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Eye Opening information

Book was very well researched. I had some knowledge on the topic before reading but was blown away by the overwhelming research the author presented in support of her conclusions. I am more than convinced. Excellent, life changing book and well worth taking the time to listen carefully.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful