Anatomy of a Food Addiction: The Brain Chemistry of Overeating: An Effective Program to Overcome Compulsive Eating (3rd Edition) [Paperback]

Anne Katherine (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0936077131 | ISBN-13: 978-0936077130 | Publication Date: December 19, 1996 | Edition: 3rd

Featuring an honest account of the author's own struggles with food, "Anatomy of a Food Addiction" helps readers understand binge eating and plan a recovery through exercises, self-tests, and an examination of family issues. Illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Anne Katherine's book helped me to make it through the night when I was bingeing and had no other hope." -- Ruth Lorenz, recovering food addict

"This book offers a clear and logical explanation for the origins and progression of compulsive eating disorders." -- H. Theresa Wright, MS, RD, CDE, Renaissance Nutrition Center, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA

"This book takes you from active food addiction into recovery with love and a true understanding of this painful disease." -- Claire Boehling, M.Ed., Eating Recovery Center, Solon OH

From the Inside Flap

When I took my first step toward recovery from binge eating in 1983, I had no idea that my life was unfulfilled because I was eating too much. What a wonder, then, that with each small step I took into recovery, my life gained more luster, my mind got clearer, and my energy grew. I didn’t realize that certain foods act in the body as if they are drugs, creating an addiction powerful enough to have held me in a pattern of binge eating despite my most fervent and spiritual efforts to break free. I call these foods "drug foods," which by themselves are not drugs, but through a series of chemical reactions eventually cause production of brain chemicals that can have a drug-like effect on the body. These chemicals cloud the mind, imprison the soul, and steal freedoms. All this from particular foods in interaction with a particular body type. This susceptibility stems from the fact that many people have an inadequate supply of certain chemicals that can, among other things, alleviate pain. We learn, even as small children, to stimulate the release of these chemicals by eating sweets and we do this for a much more significant reason than to get a particular taste. We do this because, soon after, we feel better. Thus, we discover how to manipulate our brain functioning by choosing to eat an abundance of certain types of foods. We make this adjustment without any consciousness of how or why it works; but, over time, such manipulation causes other brain changes, and we can unknowingly get trapped in a cycle of eating that causes more eating. This book explains that process.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 241 pages
• Publisher: Gurze Books; 3rd edition (December 19, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0936077131
• ISBN-13: 978-0936077130
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,494 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Recovery > Drug Dependency
  • #45 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Eating Disorders
  • #65 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Compulsive Behavior

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

133 of 142 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a must read book for anyone with overeating problems, March 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Anatomy of a Food Addiction: The Brain Chemistry of Overeating: An Effective Program to Overcome Compulsive Eating (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

I have battled with eating my whole life. This book explains that it is a chemical reaction that causes us to crave food and to over eat. It does not mean you have no will power or are not a good person. This book gives you a step by step guide to win the battle. Stop blaming yourself and get some real help that works.

95 of 101 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lifesaving Information!, February 28, 2005

By 

M. Pye (Burbank, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anatomy of a Food Addiction: The Brain Chemistry of Overeating: An Effective Program to Overcome Compulsive Eating (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

Ironically, it was a negative comment written by another reviewer that told me this was the book for me! They had mentioned the author's prescription of abstinence from sugar and white flour products to stop the carvings. You see, I know firsthand that this is a necessary and extremely effective step in combating food cravings and the binges that characterize a food addiction. (By the way this is not an "Atkins like" diet in any way, shape or form - you are still allowed heatlhy whole grains, fruits etc.) I just didn't know WHY it worked for me. For more than a year, I abstained from eating white flour products, fruits and sugars due to actual food allergies and as a wonderful side effect, all of my cravings for and obsessive thoughts about these foods ceased completely. I was no longer driven to or dependent on food. However, because I wasn't aware of why I had been so dependent on food in the past, I allowed myself to have a slice of cake on my birthday which turned out to be a huge mistake. Bam! I was right back in and I haven't been able to abstain ever since. After reading this book, I uncovered the other more important and insidious reason for my inability to regain abstinence - namely, the emotional issues that drive me to food. This aspect of the book, is the most important of all. This book feels like it was written for me. I've had every thought, every feeling Dr. Katherine relates. Her writing exposes my inner life, a life I thought was mine alone but in reality most, if not all, overeaters share the same experiences! Do yourself, your body, your soul a favor and buy this book! Thank you Anne Katherine!

76 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm not alone!, August 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Anatomy of a Food Addiction: The Brain Chemistry of Overeating: An Effective Program to Overcome Compulsive Eating (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

Reading this book I finally discovered that I am not alone in my compulsion to eat. The author was able to relate with the reader, going through it herself, and explain why we do it. It was a wonderful explanation of why we eat and how to overcome it. In detail she explains the chemical reactions in your body and why it keeps you eating. She takes you through 'assignments' to help you on your path and encourages triumph, while acknowledging the hard work we'll go through. This book has given me hope that I have never before felt. Successfully she made me realize that it isn't all my fault because I have no will power, but deeper emotional needs that I have filled with food. I feel happy and hopeful for the first time in years.