Elizabeth R. (esjro) -
Helpful Score: 2
The End of Overeating is one of the best books I have read concerning the food industry. David Kessler begins by presenting a mountain of evidence to show that the way our brains are wired make it difficult to resist the lure of salt, fat, and sugar. This first section is a little dry, but stick with it because in the next section he deconstructs foods from popular chain restaurants to demonstrate how the restaurant industry takes advantage of our predisposition for hypereating.
There are many books which make this same case, but Kessler's differs by offering solutions to these problems. He concludes with an action plan that individuals can use to manage their eating. His action plan is not a diet, but rather a strategy for choosing what to eat (and what not to eat). Some of the strategies employed are the same as those recommended to people trying to quit smoking or overcome some other addiction.
This book is essential reading for anyone who is concerned about what they put into their bodies, and should be a big wake up call for those who are not.
There are many books which make this same case, but Kessler's differs by offering solutions to these problems. He concludes with an action plan that individuals can use to manage their eating. His action plan is not a diet, but rather a strategy for choosing what to eat (and what not to eat). Some of the strategies employed are the same as those recommended to people trying to quit smoking or overcome some other addiction.
This book is essential reading for anyone who is concerned about what they put into their bodies, and should be a big wake up call for those who are not.
raconteur reviewed The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite on + 168 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I gave this book one star. First, the author can't write. I understand that writing isn't his profession ... so, it's typical that he's not going to be a literary genius. However, he repeats himself over and over and over and over and over again. All the chapters have blurred together for me from this book because they all had the same reiterated information in them.
Also, I'm unsure as to why this book is a bestseller or considered so great. Who doesn't know this information?! I always thought it was obvious that when it comes to business, money is the bottom line, and EVERY company will try to make sure people come back for their product - whether it's food or otherwise. Thus, I didn't think the information contained in this book was very groundbreaking.
The neurological information in the book was interesting. However, he could have covered that in one chapter - instead he repeated this same information throughout the whole book.
Finally, the last few chapters that deal with how to overcome overeating are extremely vague. I don't think the author wanted to admit that he really had no idea how to overcome it. He does touch on cognitive behavioral therapy - but, again, this is basic information found in any psychology book. Nothing groundbreaking.
Also, the author did not focus at all about (what I think) the most important aspect of dietary lifestyles is: health! Not once did he mention the benefits of alternative ways of eating - all he focused on was, essentially, portion control. Which is, of course, good. But, trans fat in small portions is still ... trans fat. So, I was disappointed not to see any conversation about health in here.
I suppose if you're an absolutely beginner to the food industry, this might be an OK book. However, don't let this be the only book you read. Pick up Food Inc. (excellent book that far surpasses this one) or Organic Manifesto by Maria Rodale.
Also, I'm unsure as to why this book is a bestseller or considered so great. Who doesn't know this information?! I always thought it was obvious that when it comes to business, money is the bottom line, and EVERY company will try to make sure people come back for their product - whether it's food or otherwise. Thus, I didn't think the information contained in this book was very groundbreaking.
The neurological information in the book was interesting. However, he could have covered that in one chapter - instead he repeated this same information throughout the whole book.
Finally, the last few chapters that deal with how to overcome overeating are extremely vague. I don't think the author wanted to admit that he really had no idea how to overcome it. He does touch on cognitive behavioral therapy - but, again, this is basic information found in any psychology book. Nothing groundbreaking.
Also, the author did not focus at all about (what I think) the most important aspect of dietary lifestyles is: health! Not once did he mention the benefits of alternative ways of eating - all he focused on was, essentially, portion control. Which is, of course, good. But, trans fat in small portions is still ... trans fat. So, I was disappointed not to see any conversation about health in here.
I suppose if you're an absolutely beginner to the food industry, this might be an OK book. However, don't let this be the only book you read. Pick up Food Inc. (excellent book that far surpasses this one) or Organic Manifesto by Maria Rodale.
T. -
Helpful Score: 1
Great read with hard data on how we are marketed fat, salt, and sugar as addictive substances, how food is so processed we don't even have to chew it, even food we THINK is not processed, and steps to break the addiction. We are so much like Pavlov's dogs when it comes to fast food.
Teri K. (schnauzer-mom) -
I certainly had my eyes opened! I mean, who doesn't know that while sublimely satisfying eating a triple cheeseburger, salty fries and a mocha frappe is not healthful eating? But do you really know why, beyond the obvious? From one point of view reading this book made me feel that there is a huge conspiracy afoot to make becoming overweight inevitable. The author explains how our brains can be trained or "conditioned" to want to eat certain types of foods containing fat, sugar and salt....insatiable cravings for MORE. The disturbing part is where the manufacturers seem to be well aware of the consequences of creating a nation of overeaters....and they continue to look for more ways of hooking the consumer. We are bombarded every minute with cues and temptations to have foods such as a burger, fry and shake (fat, salt and sugar.) Americans are as conditioned to overeat as Pavlov's dogs. I understand why there are 12-step groups focused on overeating because food CAN be addictive, in fact, it is designed to be. Shouldn't that be a crime? To deliberately, knowingly lure people into an addiction? For money. We put drug dealers behind bars for the very same thing!
To quote the author, "Chronic exposure to highly palatable foods changes our brains, conditioning us to seek continued stimulation. Over time a powerful drive for sugar, fat and salt competes with our conscious capacity to say no" He advocates "Food Rehab." Mr. Kessler maintains that the cycle of food addiction can be broken following these steps:
1. Figure out your cues. Food cues, situational cues, all of them.
2. Refuse everything you can't control.
3. Create an alternate plan with a specific behaviour to adopt in place of what normally would be conditioned hypereating.
4. Limit your exposure.
5. Remember the stakes. When faced with a situation that may involve conditioned overeating ensure that your visualization takes you all the way through to the inevitable end of the eating episode where you acknowledge that following momentary pleasure may come the pain of guilt or depression or the simple fact of it being counterproductive to your health.
6. Reframe things in terms of you vs. them. Kessler calls this active resistance. Recognize that Big Food is out to get you and try to see food in those terms.
7. Thought stopping. Try to stop your food related thoughts dead in their tracks.
8. Add negative associations to your normal cues.
9. Talk down the urge. Approach it with rationale thoughts. "Eating this will only satisfy me momentarily", "If I eat this I'll demonstrate that I can't break free".
Bottom line, though, is that even though "Big Food" created and sustains the problem, it is ultimately our own responsibility to stop it, or at least control our own addiction.
To quote the author, "Chronic exposure to highly palatable foods changes our brains, conditioning us to seek continued stimulation. Over time a powerful drive for sugar, fat and salt competes with our conscious capacity to say no" He advocates "Food Rehab." Mr. Kessler maintains that the cycle of food addiction can be broken following these steps:
1. Figure out your cues. Food cues, situational cues, all of them.
2. Refuse everything you can't control.
3. Create an alternate plan with a specific behaviour to adopt in place of what normally would be conditioned hypereating.
4. Limit your exposure.
5. Remember the stakes. When faced with a situation that may involve conditioned overeating ensure that your visualization takes you all the way through to the inevitable end of the eating episode where you acknowledge that following momentary pleasure may come the pain of guilt or depression or the simple fact of it being counterproductive to your health.
6. Reframe things in terms of you vs. them. Kessler calls this active resistance. Recognize that Big Food is out to get you and try to see food in those terms.
7. Thought stopping. Try to stop your food related thoughts dead in their tracks.
8. Add negative associations to your normal cues.
9. Talk down the urge. Approach it with rationale thoughts. "Eating this will only satisfy me momentarily", "If I eat this I'll demonstrate that I can't break free".
Bottom line, though, is that even though "Big Food" created and sustains the problem, it is ultimately our own responsibility to stop it, or at least control our own addiction.
