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Episode 69. Frustrated with emotional eating and not sure where to turn? Have you tried all the things, all the diets, all the “lifestyle” change programs only to worry that you “self-sabotage” by emotional eating? Do you feel like if you could just “stop emotional eating” then all would be writh in the world? Well, today we will touch on what’s keeping you stuck, and my top favorite books to help pull you out of the ineffective (and incredibly draining cycle).
Today I’m doing a review of my very favorite books to improve your relationship with food and stop binge eating. In fact, binge eating is actually the best term to use instead of emotional eating. Because guess what? Food is emotional and we should have an emotional relationship to food. But I know you want to feel more in control, so that’s what we are covering today.
Are you ready!? Let’s dive in.
What to Expect In This Episode
- The top 6 books I recommend most to help you improve your relationship with food and stop emotional eating or binge eating
- Guidance on which books are best for which type of person. Do you like science? I’ve got a book for you. Or maybe you are more of a story person? Don’t worry, there’s a great recommendation for each of you.
- When to know if self help books aren’t enough
Taking that First Step
Have you been caught in the binge-diet cycle, or felt like an emotional eating your whole life or for many years?
You might be understandably skeptical that a book could help with such a lifelong problem, and you may be right… However, buying one of these books and reading it may in fact but the first crucial step on a path of healing.
Here me out.
The Way We Are Doing Things Isn’t Working
The standard approach to weight management and even treatment of binge eating disorder or emotional eating is not working for the VAST majority of people.
Top Books to Improve Your Relationship With Food
6. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
5. The Joy Choice and/or No Sweat by Michelle Segar, PhD, MPH – List to my conversation with Dr. Segar here!
4. Health at Every Size by Lindo Bacon, PhD
3. Decolonizing Wellness by Dalia Kinsey, RD, LD
2. The Diet-Free Revolution by Alexis Conason, PsyD and/or The Mindfulness-Based Eating Solution by Lynn Rossy, PhD – Listen to my conversation with Dr. Conason here!
1. Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch
How to Know When Books Aren’t Enough
- You continue to doubt the process, whether it’s working, and if you are on the right path.
- You are reading the information, but not implementing it. And you still feel out of control and are still emotional eating.
- You still feel a tremendous amount of shame about your struggles.
- If you have a significant eating disorder (e.g., really are struggling to eat more food throughout the day, have very engrained thoughts about your body, are bingeing/purging or excessively exercising or doing other things to get rid of calories) please call the National Eating Disorders Helpline here. Remember that eating disorders can and do occurs in all body sizes.
Options for Next Steps
If you are finding that books aren’t enough, or you are just wanting more support and to make progress faster, look into finding more support.
- Friend level support. Find a friend (or two) to do a book club with. Read one of the above books and meet regularly to discuss it and how you will apply it.
- Find a Health at Every Size aligned dietitian and/or therapist (counselor, psychotherapist, psychologist). If you can’t find someone with their specific training, consider finding a therapist who might be willing to learn with you as a first step.
Support Independent Bookstores Near You!
Did you know that that if nothing slows their momentum, Amazon will have almost 80% of the book market by the end of 2025?
Look, I love the convenience of Amazon, but I’ve got a super cool way that you can support local bookstores and my blog and podcast simply by buying books like you already do! You can choose any bookstore on the list in the US and Canada (they plan to expand to other counties in the future) OR you can just let the donation get split between all stores. As of this recording, they have raised 15 million dollars for local bookstores. On my bookshop, you will see my absolute favorite books related to health and wellness, courage and vulnerability, and even my favorite fiction and kids books!
A favorite of mine related to improving the quality of our lives was Digital Minimalism. Our family actually has decided to do an optional screen free month to re-evaluate the role of screen time in our lives.
So if you believe in supporting local businesses, please consider buying your books through Bookshop from now on!
The Psychology of Wellness Bookshop Link.
Disclaimer: This blog and podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for individual professional advice or treatment, including medical or mental health advice. It does not constitute a provider patient relationship.
Disclosure: Using the Bookshop.org links in this post means that I would get an affiliate fee if you purchase from the online bookshop (this supports my business, and local bookstores too!).