The inaugural blog post... so many topics to choose from! As fitness and nutrition go hand-in-hand, this first post will be a nod to nutrition with a strong recommendation of two books by Gary Taubes: Good Calories, Bad Calories and Why We Get Fat and What to Do About It.
In Good Calories, Bad Calories, award-winning science writer Gary Taubes brilliantly presents the fruits of 7 years of probing research to make sense out of the frustratingly controversial field of nutrition science. In this 500-page tome, Taubes carefully analyzes not only the data but also the political and historical contexts that contributed to much of the misinformation that still dominates public and medical opinion. For those who need a thorough explanation and a long, deep look at existing evidence - this is the book.
For those who would rather cut to the chase - get all the important points with brevity and efficiency, Taubes also offers what is essentially an easy-to-digest summary of Good Calories, Bad Calories in his newest book: Why We Get Fat And What To Do About It. Although he does offer a brief outline of a dietary plan in the Appendix, this is not a diet book. It's an explanation of how our bodies work, what regulates fat accumulation vs. fat-burning, and how to use that knowledge to achieve both a healthy weight and a healthier body.
For anyone interested in health, nutrition, and a balanced voice amid the clamor of "experts" shouting contradictory advice, both books by Gary Taubes offer an intellectually rigorous breath of fresh air.
In my upcoming post, I'll share some specific nutritional guidelines gleaned from the above referenced books and discuss their application during pregnancy and the child-bearing year.
Until then, expect to be fit!
Warmly,
Leah
