Publishers Weekly
11/20/2023
Brown University neuroscientist Brewer (Unwinding Anxiety) presents a sensible guide on how readers can feel more in control of their eating. Brewer explains that strong negative emotions can cause the rational prefrontal cortex to go “offline,” leaving evolutionarily older brain networks in charge of improving one’s mood, which they usually do by prompting the person to seek out food they have fond memories of eating. The brain then comes to associate food with comfort, turning “emotional eating” into a habitual way of dealing with negative feelings. To break this connection, Brewer recommends practicing “mindful eating,” which involves savoring each bite and focusing on “being present” during mealtime. He suggests that doing so forces people to pay attention to their bodily signals, which will let them know when they’ve had enough to eat or when they’re eating too much of an unhealthy food. Lay readers will appreciate the accessible science (“When you get stressed, your survival brain grabs the steering wheel from the , which has only recently gotten its learner’s permit, aiming to steer you to safety until the danger has passed”), and the practical guidance is easy to implement. The result is a competent manual for cultivating a healthier relationship with food. Agent: Melissa Flashman, Janklow & Nesbit Assoc. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
Stop fighting with food and read this book!”
—Arianna Huffington, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Thrive
“If you're looking to heal your relationship with food, the solution rarely lies entirely in changing what you eat. Jud Brewer empowers us to let go of our unhelpful habits and trade them in for helpful, long-lasting ones using cutting-edge neuroscience, practical mindfulness, relatable stories, and real-life examples. This book isn't about restrictive diets or obsessions – it's about finding hope, empowerment, and real, lasting recovery.”
—Molly Carmel, author of Breaking Up With Sugar
“Judson Brewer offers a potent recipe for healing unhealthy eating habits: Blend together an understanding of how the brain works with the power of awareness itself. For the countless humans who struggle with craving, this book is filled with life giving insights and tools!”
—Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance and Radical Compassion
“A game-changing plan to change your relationship with food. Judson Brewer gets at the heart of our struggles with advice, analysis, and inspiring stories based in science but also full of compassion and understanding. This is the book we need right now!”
—Annie Grace, author of This Naked Mind
“This book takes a radically new approach to understanding overeating. It counters shame for overeating by emphasizing how our brains engage in habit formation outside of our conscious awareness. More importantly, it shows readers how to become more conscious and self-compassionate about what’s happening and learn new, healthier eating habits. A significant contribution to understanding how to counter overeating.”
—Kristin Neff, PhD, author of Self-Compassion
