Food Addiction Recovery – #47
With food addiction, I have found you need to become something of a lifelong student. No, I have not found you have to attend meetings for life (now some might though) and I view being a food addict as a lifelong issue that needs continual learning. Here are some great books I particularly endorse to add to your library via www.amazon.com (or check out your local library):
Breaking The Food Seduction, by Neal Barnard, M.D.
Andrew Weil, M.D., says this fellow is “…one of the most responsible and authoritative voices in American medicine today.” I can only agree with that.
The Rules of “Normal” Eating, by Karen R. Koenig, LICSW, M.Ed.
This book covers a lot about emotional and psychological issues related to food addiction recovery. This one is a real must in my thinking.
Mindful Eating by Jan Chozen Bays, MD
This book also is on my “must” list. It even includes a CD ROM with 14 exercises and meditations. Such a bargain for any compulsive overeater.
The McDougall Program for Maximum Weight-loss, by John A. McDougall, M.D.
Dr. McDougall teaches a low-fat vegan diet: fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. He emphasizes that you can eat all you want of the right kinds of foods and still lose weight. Well I have not found that to be so as I can gain weight on healthy foods as a person in food addiction recovery. That said it is a good book.
Eat To Live, by Joel Fuhrman, M.D.
This book is one of my personal favorites. The key to Dr. Fuhrman’s plan is the idea of “nutrient density.” Nutrient-dense foods are those high in nutrients and low in calories. When you center your diet on these nutrient-dense foods, you will automatically be consuming fewer calories, and the calories you do eat will be better for you.
Get With The Program, by Bob Greene
Bob Greene, perhaps best known as Oprah Winfrey’s personal trainer, recognizes and addresses the emotional components of food and weight-loss. He goes into emotional obstacles and then adds exercise and dietary changes.
The Quest for Peace, Love and the 24” Waistline, by Deborah Low
This book emphasizes the spiritual and emotional aspects of food and weight-loss, and shifts the focus to happiness and well-being rather than dropped pounds.
Eat More, Weigh Less: Dean Ornish’s Life Choice Program for Losing Weight Safely While Eating Abundantly, by Dean Ornish, M.D.
Dr. Ornish’s plan is similar to Dr. McDougall’s, but with the addition of low-fat dairy products.
The New Pritikin Program
This book is an update of the classic 1970s book by Nathan Pritikin who in many ways is the forerunner of Dean Ornish, M.D., and Harvey Diamond (see book below). This book really does not focus on compulsive overeating and still is great information.
Fit For Life, by Harvey Diamond and others
This is another classic book that focuses on whole, nutritious, high-fiber and water-rich foods but really does not talk about food addiction or compulsive overeating. The authors believe that body functions have a daily cycle, and that you should eat based on these cycles. The book includes lots of meal plans and recipes.
Unitl next time!