Ironically, while completing medicine, Professor Noakes was our professor of sports medicine. He had me and fellow students committed to carbohydrate loading and aggressive fluid replacement. However, Tim has always been a provocative and thorough researcher. Over the past 30 years he has had a profound impact on sports science and advanced our knowledge of aerobic thresholds, fluid replacement, running, training, injuries and most recently, how to eat.
We have all heard about Atkins, Paleo diets, low carb, glyceamic index and the dangers of processed foods. In terms of a practical book on how to approach this very confusing and challenging topic, I know no better. This book has sat in our lounge and kitchen area for 18 months and is regularly consulted. Thank you Tim and colleagues.
Tim is a true scientist who remains humble despite the fury he has provoked over the years. This book will give you a trustworthy guide to why we should explore and understand the dangers of carbohydrates and what we might practically do to effect these changes down to 200 pages of beautifully presented and described meals. The first part of the book is a lay person’s explanation of how to approach a low carbohydrate – high fat diet. The second part contains recipes. The third is Noakes’ scientific explanation.
In a nutshell, Noakes et al are bringing together 20 years of solid science. The basics were laid down by Stephen Phinney and Jeff Volek in The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living (and later Performance). Noakes has upped the volume on the controversy. The output is that can push against obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and even Alzheimers by adopting low carb-high fat living.
In essence, the message is to eat as we evolved and to shun the carbohydrate frenzy of big food, replacing it with smart fats for fuel. The change required is to teach your body to burn fat efficiently (keto-adaptation). While traditional doctors and nutritionist wail in outrage, millions of people – many elite athletes – have already made the switch. Get it.
The Real Meal Revolution: The Radical, Sustainable Approach to Healthy Eating
Tim Noakes, Sally-Ann Creed, Jonno Proudfoot, David Grier
Published: Quivertree Publications, 2013, 299 pages.
