Gary Taubes, a professional writer and journalist is the author of the critically acclaimed Good Calories, Bad Calories. Now his newest release, Why We Get Fat takes the long-held idea that the reason we get fat is the calories in/calories out hypothesis and debunks it. In essence, Taubes, through scores of research-backed evidence, suggests that it is not the amount of calories per se, but rather the carbohydrates in our diet that are responsible for fat accumulation.
Taubes proposes that in order to lose weight, we need to consume a very low carbohydrate diet. Protein, naturally-occuring fat, like those found in meat, poultry, fish, eggs, avocados and oils as well as leafy green vegetables should comprise the mainstay of our diet. The typical American diet of starchy carbohydrates, grains, sugar, processed food and even high glycemic vegetables and fruit needs to be given the boot if we want to avoid being overweight or obese.
If you’re trying the Atkins Diet this year as part of your weight loss goals or New Years Resolutions, then you’re probably going to start missing carbohydrates pretty soon. As an admitted carb-addict, I could never go for more than a few hours without a tasty piece of bread or something like that, especially in the morning. Bacon and eggs for breakfast once a week sounds nice; bacon and eggs for breakfast every day of the week does not sound like such a good idea to me. Here are some different breakfast ideas that are still Atkins friendly and won’t send your blood sugar levels soaring.
Breakfast #1
Who would have thought it was possible? Pancakes and waffles without all the carbs? Score! Try these Low Carb Pancakes or Low Carb Waffles to see for yourself how tasty low-carb can be. And, of course, you’re going to want to top those pancakes and waffles off with some Low Carb Maple Syrup, aren’t you?
The Atkins Diet is a popular, yet controversial, diet that helps users shed pounds while eating all of the protein they want. What’s the catch? The Atkins diet requires users to eat a low-carb diet, which is not known for long-term effectiveness. However, if your New Years Resolution is to lose weight with the Atkins diet, then you’re going to want to check out all of the Atkins recipes DietsinReview has to offer. You can also take some of the stress of meal-planning out of the way by trying two of our yummy Atkins lunches!
Lunch #1
This lunch is quite tasty and everything can be made the night before to take to work with you. Start by sipping on a frothy Italian Cream Soda (1.4g carbs). Your main entree will be Spinach with Chicken and Apricots (3.7g carbs), which combines the sweetness of fruit with the zing of balsamic vinegar for a taste explosion. For dessert, get to know the tempting step-sister of your traditional brownies, a low-carb version of Blondies (2.3g carbs). This lunch will have a total of 7.4g carbs. If you are allowed 30g carbs every day, this means you will save 2.6g carbs from your lunch meal to use at snack time or dinner time.
In today’s Health section ofThe New York Times, Dr. Abigail Zuger writes what is at first glance a review of Gary Taubes’ Why We Get Fat. Digging deeper, one realizes that Zuger has much more to say than a few comments on Taubes’ book, a shorter and more pointed follow-up to his earlier work, Good Calories Bad Calories. Zuger is crying out against the storm of contradicting nutritional information, which she likens to both a war and a cafeteria food-fight.
Low-carb vs. low fat, Atkins vs. Weight Watchers, it’s a familiar battle not only to those slogging through the literature, but to anyone who’s struggled to find sound advice on what to eat and lose weight. “At this point,” writes Zuger, “all eaters, fat or lean, could be forgiven for slamming the door on all expert dietary input, forever.”
Dr. Zuger goes on to discuss the arguments behind the low carb diet recommended by Why We Get Fat, prefacing the information by saying Taubes’ book is as much a “manifesto” as it a document of science journalism. She playfully worries that Taubes will soon introduce his own line of protein bars.
Anthony Hopkins has slimmed down. Image via The Huffington Post.
You may have noticed that Sir Anthony Hopkins is looking slim these days. Apparently, he’s had to do some serious clothes shopping. “I can’t get back into my wardrobe,” says Hopkins. “I gave it all away to some mission. I tried tailoring the pants but they look ridiculous.”
Now in his 70s, the actor has started going to the gym almost every day—thanks to the encouragement of his wife, Stella Arroyave. “My wife’s no dictator, but she said I must stick to a regimen,” Hopkins told Cindy Adam’s of the New York Post. “So I’m in the gym six days a week, I power walk.”
