Cereal Killer [Perfect Paperback]

Alan L Watson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2008

Cereal Killer, part 1, the test of time, documents the unintended consequences of the low fat diet, describing how food pyramid schemes and sugary cereals are directly associated with insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and widespread diabetes. Part 2, life in the fat lane, combats decades of extreme fat-bashing by providing a definitive analysis of the value and wholesome nature of saturated fat and foods rich in cholesterol.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alan L. Watson is a history graduate from the University of Minnesota. After a decade of research, Watson provides compelling evidence that virtually everything the experts have told us about obesity, diabetes, and weight loss are wrong. Watson is the author of 21 Days to a Healthy Heart.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Diet Heart Publishing; first edition edition (October 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972048111
• ISBN-13: 978-0972048118
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #456,784 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alan Watson is author of 21 Days to a Healthy Heart (2002) and Cereal Killer, the unintended consequences of the low fat diet (2008). Watson is a health and nutrition researcher - a "you can't trust the experts" patient advocate - and a long term proponent of a low carb, high fat, whole foods diet.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I began researching and writing about "Diet Heart" issues after attending the "Atkins vs. Whitaker" debate in New York City in April, 1997. The rosy cheeked Dr. Atkins - citing compelling scientific and clinical data - easily defeated his overweight, vegetarian opponent. Atkins was walking the talk and telling the truth about America's failed low fat diet.

Referring to my first book, "21 Days to a Healthy Heart," Writer's Digest said: "Although he's not a doctor himself, Watson does seem to be qualified to discuss cardiovascular nutrition, and he definitely did his homework on this book; his research here is impressive, making his argument/theories well-substantiated and convincing.... "

In March 2009, Midwest Book Review said: "Cereal Killer is a look at the plague of diabetes and obesity that is becoming a huge problem among all age groups of children.... Watson discusses remedies to America's epidemic as well as speaking of its origins. Cereal Killer is well worth the read for those concerned with the health of a nation..."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

106 of 108 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Cereal Killer and Good Calories, Bad Calories April 30, 2009

By A. Norton

Format:Perfect Paperback

This review offers a comparison of Gary Taubes' Good Calories, Bad Calories: Challenging the Conventional Wisdom of Diet, Weight Control, and Disease, and Alan Watson's Cereal Killer: The Unintended Consequences of the Low Fat Diet. The primary thesis of both books is that the established health advice of the last few decades--avoid fats in favor of carbohydrates--is wrong. Both cite ample evidence that we should depend on diets that are relatively higher in fats, and relatively lower in carbohydrates, especially the highly refined carbohydrates including sugars. Both single out a particular sweetener, high fructose corn syrup, for special avoidance. Both question the value of today's preoccupation with cholesterol. Both authors have spent years researching the topic, and while their positions are congruent, there are a number of interesting differences.

Gary Taubes, in Good Calories, Bad Calories, traces the historical development of the recommended low fat diet and the carbohydrate-heavy food pyramid. Rather than lambasting the process by which our nutrition advice went so awry, he dispassionately traces, in incredible depth, the medical studies, people, organizations, and events that led to this situation. In so doing, he built credibility with me. Considering the well-documented sequence of events and influences, it became convincing that the organizations we respect for guidance actually got it quite wrong. However, I found the convoluted and voluminous detail to be excruciating; the book goes 453 pages before it provides us with Taubes' well-reasoned conclusions. But, it was certainly worth the effort to read, and it provided me with new information. For example, a) weight gain or loss is not determined primarily by total calorie intake vs. calorie expenditure, or b) while the glycemic index is widely respected as an indicator of the metabolic impact of carbohydrates, fructose does not register on that scale.

I think of Alan Watson's very inviting and easy-to-read 144-page Cereal Killer as a handbook. Both authors address a gamut of health issues, but Watson centers on cardiovascular health while Taubes spends more time on weight gain and obesity. Watson's style is brief and to the point. His succinct review of fats, a complex subject, seems exceptionally understandable. Bulleted lists are presented in place of paragraphs of prose. Each chapter ends with a friendly "More to Explore..." section that provides helpful suggestions for further reading. A sprinkling of photos--of the Watson family, cows, and such--give it a pleasant and homespun quality. Cereal Killer goes beyond the narrow focus on carbohydrates vs. fats, to other related topics, such as grass-fed beef, and lard, but it left me wondering whether these topics were as well-supported by clinical studies as the fundamental carbohydrate vs. fat issue. Throughout, this book is a model of clarity and conciseness while presenting valuable information about which the author is passionate.

One of Gary Taubes' excellent New York Times articles was titled: "Do We Really Know What Makes Us Healthy?" I have to conclude that we may not, and that these books provide important challenges to the conventional health wisdom that can help bring us closer to that knowledge. I highly recommend reading both and keeping them within easy reach on your bookshelf.

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to understand weight loss advice November 26, 2008

By M. Eldridge

Format:Perfect Paperback

I've read many articles and books about obesity, weight loss, and diabetes, but Cereal Killer was easiest to understand. Just the weight loss chapter - "Atkins without Atkins" - is worth the price of the book. I've been reading Gary Taubes' Good Calories Bad Calories but it is lengthy and I get bogged down. If you are looking for an easier read (read mine in two days), clear succinct information about dietary fat, and a simple explanation for what causes diabetes and heart disease, Cereal Killer is a great choice. Besides - it's got an absolutely great cover! I was both educated and entertained.

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Challenge the Conventional Wisdom November 14, 2008

By Mark S., Madson

Format:Perfect Paperback

Once again Alan Watson challenges the conventional ideology concerning what we should and should not consume with his latest book
"Cereal Killer."

The American Heart Association continues to shovel false information down the throats of the American consumers about that dreaded word "Fat".

The facts on High vs. Low and Saturated vs. Unsaturated has been a hot button issue for all of us and strikes fear in our minds about it's affects on our heart and body.

This scientifically proven information dispels the myths surrounding our intake of Fat and how it affects our overall health.

Statements about Fat and High Cholesterol have been drummed into our heads as something bad and unhealthy without giving us the knowledge required to understand the proper use of fat in our diet and how it can and will be advantageous to our health.

Part I discusses the unintended consequences of low fat; while Part II explains the value of saturated fat and foods rich in cholesterol.

The federal nutrition guidelines will be revised in 2010 concerning these important issues.

"Cereal Killer" is out there challenging the corn syrup pushers who intend to spend $30 million between now and 2010 to make sure the guidelines don't single them out of the food supply.

This is a must read for all to understand how to become truly informed and challenge the conventional theory and enjoy the foods that we are told not to eat.

Enjoy...