This book really helped me with my disordered eating. Highly recommend!

Sobering look at emotional eating.

Not as good as Women, Food, and God, but still an interesting read and reminder of Geneen Roth’s ideas (food and dieting as a reflection of how we feel about ourselves and our lives AND a way to distract ourselves from what REALLY matters). Don’t be deterred by the title - it’s not really even about food, or at least that’s not what it felt about to me, but more about how we see, feel about, and treat ourselves and how we should get curious about those things and pay closer attention.

Same story and message that she has explored before. Nice review.

The author's premise is our bodies already know what to eat so we should not be afraid to let it have what it thinks it wants, ie eat anything you want. Because eventually your body will realize that it doesn't like the bad stuff but only the good stuff and it will regulate it self. She has a number of guidelines to follow such as eating at the table and such. However, it seems hooky to me. Maybe I don't understand her philosophy on weight control but I'm not sure my body would ever realize it doesn't like donuts and milk before I keel over from a heart attack.

I love Geneen Roth. I work with eating disorders and found this book insanely interesting and helpful. Not only interesting from a psych perspective, but an easy to follow and beautifully constructed narrative.

while there were certainly some enlightening parts, on the whole i was disappointed. the narrative felt very broken, with all the (at times random feeling) essays thrown in. the message would have been more powerful had it been presented in a more straight-forward manner.

Fascinating and sometimes heartbreaking. Even the pieces written in humor had the sad reality underneath. Geneen's sections were full of information. The stories from her class participants were honest and compelling. I made some unexpected self-discovery while reading.

Saw Geneen when this book was a few days old, at a women’s conference here in Santa Cruz county California where she used to live, and where she began this work with small groups of women in her home. Was SO impressed as she’s a witty, perceptive writer and almost no one was taking about these issues in 1982 of food and emotions (for women especially), diet culture, body image, accepting the body, and letting it be the wise chooser of food, particularly as she did.

Over time as I learned more about the physiology of binge eating, and the hundreds of possible contributing factors, the shine faded for me and hence three stars. It is not nearly this simple for many of us. I know people who’ve been harmed by her approach. But she definitely has been helpful to thousands where the issues were less biological, and her fame and success speaks to that.

Personal accounts were very authentic ....

Title: A Mixed Bag of Insights on Compulsive Eating

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

"Feeding the Hungry Heart: The Experience of Compulsive Eating" by Geneen Roth is a book that offers a mixture of valuable insights and some limitations in its approach. While it does provide a personal and compassionate exploration of the emotional aspects of compulsive eating, it falls short in certain areas.

Roth's personal anecdotes and candid narrative style make it easy for readers to connect with the material. She delves into the emotional struggles that often drive compulsive eating, emphasizing the importance of addressing the underlying issues rather than focusing solely on diet and weight. This perspective is enlightening and helps to destigmatize compulsive eating as a complex emotional issue rather than a mere matter of self-control.

However, the book can be somewhat disjointed at times, with a heavy emphasis on personal stories that may not resonate with all readers. Some may find themselves seeking more concrete strategies and actionable steps to help them address their own compulsive eating habits. While Roth does offer mindfulness exercises and journaling prompts, they might not be sufficient for those in need of a more structured approach to recovery.

Additionally, the book could benefit from a more comprehensive exploration of the role of professional support in the journey to overcome compulsive eating. While self-reflection is undoubtedly important, some readers may require the guidance of therapists, nutritionists, or support groups, which the book doesn't extensively address.

In conclusion, "Feeding the Hungry Heart" offers valuable insights into the emotional complexities of compulsive eating and the importance of addressing underlying issues. However, its reliance on personal narratives and somewhat limited actionable strategies might leave some readers searching for more concrete guidance. The book is a worthwhile read for those looking to gain a deeper understanding of compulsive eating but should be supplemented with additional resources for a more holistic approach to recovery.

I skimmed through this book back in February, then in July when I was putting it in a box of books to give away, I looked through it again and added a star. Some quotes that stood out to me this time:

End of Part One, p. 126: "Hunger is so focused on what it is not getting and on its own definition of love and fulfillment that it often misses the very nourishment it is crying for".

Beginning of Part Two, p. 127: "Nourishment is specific; what nourishes you in one situation may not nourish you in another. Nourishment is personal; what nourishes another may not nourish you." etc.

"Breaking Free" p. 159: "We want to change in order to love ourselves, but we've got to love ourselves in order to change." - A Breaking Free workshop participant
This is a great prelude to the story that the author tells about what she said to some schmuck named Michael that she was dating at the time.

Other fave parts: "The Double-Edged Gift" story about Thelma and Bernie by Rita Garitano. Also "The Real Difference Between the Fatties and Thinnies" by Barbara Florio Graham.

So, upon revisiting this book, I can see why someone said in her review that this is a good book to pick up if/when food issues and/or unhealthy eating habits arise. It is a reminder to be mindful about how you feel, to treat yourself with kindness, and that you are not alone in any of these endeavors.