Anatomy of a Food Addiction: The Brain Chemistry of Overeating

[Vili]

Has anyone read that book and found it helpful? After ordering it I really don`t know whether to read it or not. I suffer from bulimia non-purging type. Throughout the years, I have used exercise and dieting in order to control the binges. I have always felt like I am addicted to carbs/sugar because when I start eating them I cannot stop. Low carb dieting has been so safe to me. Lately I realized that there are certain situations when I can have those foods without binging on them and that maybe food is not the problem. What do you fishies recommend? Read the book or not? I am scared that it will keep me into black/white thinking and make the ED even worse :ummm

[Jennnifer]

I read this book and thought it was ridiculous and contrary to recovery. She mentions many "theories" and "promising studies" that certain foods trigger addictions, but these "studies" were from the eighties and never panned out, but her book hasn't been updated since then, so you're left to figure that out on your own.

Also, she recommends never eating certain food groups again for the rest of your life and also suggests you interrogate wait satff at restaurants to be sure these types of foods aren't hidden in the meals.

Like I said, I believe this book is anti-recovery and full of diet mentality and black and white thinking. Sadly, after reading the book I believe the author may be very eating disordered herself.

I can't recommend enough "Overcoming Overeating" and "Intuitive Eating".

:peace

[lovingspirit]

Vili~

The decision is yours but I read the book - or let me say, I read about half the book - and I would suggest you not read it. Just my opinion.

[Vili]

Thank you for the answers, Jennifer and lovingspirit :lubdub You are right, this is like a diet book, and not even a good one. Started reading it today, the authot suggests to even stop drinking alcohol. That is so ridiculous, how would a glass of wine trigger me to binge? Besides, I have tried to stay abstinent from sugar so may times and the only thing I achieve is a huge sugar binge afterwards. Jennifer, those books you recommend, do they uncover the real issues behind the ED, do they suggest other coping methonds? I think a book that doesn`t concentrate on the eating might help me, as food is only a symptom.

[Jennnifer]

What really aggravates me is that on Amazon.com there is a reviewer who says he/she is a MSW and uses that book in his/her practice to treat binge eating disorder! *sigh*

Villi, Overcoming Overeating is the single book that propelled my recovery forward. I also like Geneen Roth and the book "Intuitive Eating". All are compatible with recovery.

:peace

[chicagofishy]

I'm gonna hop in here too. :shy

I've read the book. Bleh. It's a diet. I wouldn't recommend it.

The books Jennifer mentioned are Awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I've read Intuitive Eating and am familiar with the Overcoming Overeating method. They both are about learning to listen to and trust the body... even if what the body says it wants doesn't seem "right" to our diet and ED skewed minds. The methods also help with self-acceptance and all that. Both also address underlying issues.... however, in my experience with IE it mostly focuses on learning how to stop the diet mentality. Just my two cents.