329: Alan Watson’s ‘Cereal Killer’ Reveals The Unintended Consequences Of Low-Fat Diets

Written on January 28, 2010

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Hello and welcome back to The Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore!

In today’s very special episode, Jimmy shares a FANTASTIC interview with health writer Alan Watson, author of the humorously-titled Cereal Killer. Alan began his career in health by running a supplement company, and in that capacity, he got a lot of letters from consumers wanting to know about the healthiest diet. He did a lot of research, including attending a debate between Dr. Atkins and a major supporter of the low-fat dietary approach. This started him down the path of embracing Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb!

Today he is the author of two books extolling the virtues of a healthy, low-carb diet. Cereal Killer, which some have described as “the Reader’s Digest version of Good Calories, Bad Calories” by Gary Taubes. If Mr. Taubes’ book is too dense for you to read, then we highly recommend giving Cereal Killer a read! There’s too much good stuff in today’s episode to list, so listen to it from start to finish ASAP!

Special thanks to our sponsor, Low-Carb U!

LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 329
- Visit our sponsor: LO-CARB U
- Cereal Killer book
- 21 Days to a Healthy Heart: Eat Your Way to Heart Health book
- Official Cereal Killer web site

http://www.hiitmama.blogspot.com Meredith

Thanks for all the work that you do Jimmy! You are the glue that holds this online community of like minded low carbers together. Keep on keepin’ on!
http://www.livinlavidalowcarb.com/blog Jimmy Moore

THANKS for your encouragement, Meredith!
Tom

Mr. Watson has an excellent web site. Lots of good information.
Sue

What a lovely guy. So passionate about the subject. I’ve got my fingers crossed for the 2010 dietary guidelines.

I’m hopeful, but not holding my breath.

–Jimmy
http://healthcorrelator.blogspot.com/ Ned Kock

Thanks for the interview Jimmy.

Listening to an interview online seems so much easier, on a mental level, than reading an interview.

I would add sunlight exposure to low carb dieting as a health choice, for vitamin D. I would not necessarily supplementation though. I blogged about the reasons here:

http://healthcorrelator.blogspot.com/2010/01/vitamin-d-deficiency-seasonal.html
Paula J. Quinn

Thank you, Jimmy, for this interesting podcast. I especially liked the disclosures about mighty General Mills inrerfering with Al Watson’s metro cable TV broadcasts here in the Twin Cities. General Mills’ boxed breakfast cereals marketed to children all contain at least 5 teaspoons of sugar per 3/4 cup serving! Of course they don’t want this discussed on the air!
Paula J. Quinn

Hey folks – I meant to rate this a ten – please change my rating to 10 if i did it wrong. thanks
Jaime Humnick

I would just like to say I enjoyed this podcast and found your site and Watson’s site very helpful (I need to lose 50 pounds!).
Preston

I very much enjoyed Watson’s empirical evidence about how the low-carb diet is without question the way to live healthier. I felt that I was left with an appetite for more though! Please have him back!

Probably will! Remember him for “Encore Week” 2011.

–Jimmy
Marshall Gonyer

Thank you for the great interview! The industry monsters control every corner don’t they. It appears they have no conscience. When the facts become evident they make only a token adjustment. It looks like a untenable situation and a tragedy unfolding for families. Perhaps its time to release the Kraken. The tobacco companies felt the anger of the public and wrote some big checks to victims. These companies are victimizing our children with deceptive advertising. Keep up the goods work, and I hope we lots more from you.

I can’t find the rating box but it’s a 10 !!!
Marshall Gonyer

Jimmy

Good interview wit Mr Watson> I want to be sure he gets a 10 from me.
Marshall Gonyer

Jmmy

Here is a belated (h) for my wit on the above comment. Also I am still fumbling with the ratings. Give Mr Watson 5 stars on the above submittal.
Maria

enjoyed the podcast. I hope that in the future we get the chance to hear more of what Mr. Watson has to say. I rated the podcast a 10 and bookmarked this site.
Jeanne

This was an interesting interview! I was expecting the same old boring standard low carb information and was delighted that it wasn’t. I learned a lot and I thought I knew just about every thing on the subject. Please interview him again.
Jeanne RATING 10
Jeanne

Sorry, couldn’t figure out the ratings. 5 STARS!
Al

A great interview with an intelligent guy. Having read Al Watson’s book, it furthered my understanding of this critical topic. His book, Cereal Killer, is a must read. I think of Cereal Killer as the friendly, easy to understand version of Taube’s Good Calories, Bad Calories. While I worked my way through Taube’s well researched work, Al’s book is the one I go back to.
http://twitter.com/RiverRance River Rance

Hi Jimmy,
Enjoyed your interview with Alan Watson…I related to the interaction Alan had with his doc after lipid test. In Jan 2010 I had a similar experience…my fasting results were CHOL 219/TRIG 51/HDLC 51/LDCALC 158 AND TC/HDLC 4.3. My VA health provider said my chol was way high and suggested I take niacin at bedtime, as that is when chol is made! Statins would be the next choice if that didn’t work. I’m 62, 6’6″ weight 210, resting hr is 58 and bp that day was 126/78. I’m a personal trainer and eat a low sugar/low carb/high protein/high fat diet. Thanks…for all your podcasts!