Why Diets Make Us Fat by Sandra Aamodt Summary
Overview of Why Diets Make Us Fat
Neuroscientist Sandra Aamodt demolishes diet culture with shocking science: dieting actually triggers weight gain. Why? Your brain has a weight "set point" it fiercely defends. Health professionals call it revolutionary - finally explaining why willpower fails while offering a sustainable alternative to yo-yo dieting.
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Key takeaways
The Weight Thermostat: Why Dieting Makes Us Fat
Ever noticed how the same 10-15 pounds keep returning no matter how disciplined your diet? You're not alone. Our brains actively fight weight loss by treating dieting as a form of starvation. The hypothalamus functions as a weight "thermostat," defending a target weight range spanning about 10-15 pounds. Within this range, weight is relatively easy to modify, but staying below the brain's target is extraordinarily difficult. This defended range can increase over time through puberty, pregnancy, aging, or staying above your current weight range too long. Critically, this process isn't reversible. Even years of keeping weight below the defended range doesn't reset the brain's target lower-it continues trying to push weight back up. Research consistently shows most dieters regain lost weight. After a year, the average dieter has lost 6% of starting weight, but then steadily regains it, typically reversing all progress within five years. Only about 15% maintain significant weight loss for three years or more. Despite popular beliefs, no particular diet produces better long-term results than others. The problem isn't that we're dieting incorrectly-it's that dieting itself doesn't work. In fact, dieting often leads to weight gain, not loss. Within four years, two in five dieters end up heavier than before they started.
When Biology Trumps Willpower
The Starvation Response: How Diets Trigger Weight Gain
The Metabolic Backlash
The Toxic Cycle: Stress, Shame, and Stigma
Health Beyond Weight
Mindful Eating: The Path Forward
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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