Nourishing Wisdom: A Mind-Body Approach to Nutrition and Well-Being

by Marc David

"Marc David eloquently describes the importance of addressing the emotional and spiritual aspects of our lives in order to truly nourish ourselves." --Dean Ornish, M.D.

Nourishing Wisdom revolutionizes the way we think about diets and nutrition. This book will change your attitude towards your body, and provide a foundation for developing a healthful relationship with food. Combining the principles of nutritional awareness, personal growth, and body psychology, Nourishing Wisdom provides practical methods for redefining the role food plays in our lives.

Genres: Health, Nutrition, Nonfiction, Food, Self Help, Spirituality, Personal Development

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Marc David is the Founder and Director of The Institute for the Psychology of Eating and the author of The Slow Down Diet: Eating for Pleasure, Energy, and Weight Loss, and Nourishing Wisdom: A Mind-Body Approach to Nutrition and Well Being. A nationally recognized teacher, speaker and corporate consultant, Marc presents his expertise in nutritional medicine, the psychology of eating, and the science of yoga in a fresh and innovative way. His humorous, engaging, and informative speaking style have made him a popular and well loved presenter and his non-dogmatic approach to nutrition appeals to a wide audience of eaters who are looking for positive, inspiring, and innovative messages about food and metabolism.

Marc earned his M.A. at Sonoma State University specializing in the Psychology of Eating and trained at the Harvard Mind Body Medical Institute and SUNY Upstate Medical School. He was a long time nutritionist and presenter with Canyon Ranch Resorts, the # 1 health spa in the world, and the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Marc has presented in numerous professional settings including Harvard, The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and has been featured on CNN and NBC. He also serves on the editorial staff of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, the most respected peer reviewed journal for complimentary and alternative medicine.

Marc was a senior consultant to the Johnson & Johnson Corporation in natural health ventures and consulted to the Disney Company in health related program and product development. Articles, interviews and special mention of his work have appeared in numerous publications including The New York Times, Chicago Times, New York Daily News, McCalls, Glamour, Eating Well, Utne Reader, The Sun, Yoga Journal, Bon Appetit, and Grace Woman. Marc resides in Boulder, Colorado.

Reviews

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give it 3.5 stars if I could. The first part of the book was a turn-off. Apparently, David thinks that the missing element from eating is our relationship with God and our recognition of ourselves as manifestations of the divine.

Yeah. So helpful. Thanks.

Anyway, he does have some helpful information in this book. Some of what I found helpful:

"By telling you to avoid meat, for example, some vegetarian proponents are not only asking you to eliminate it because it is harmful to health, they are telling you to 'eat my system, eat my way of seeing the world, eat my belief that killing animals is unhealthy...' Likewise, when meat eaters tell you to eat meat, they are not just promoting its health-giving effects, they are saying, 'eat my system, eat my belief that it is acceptable to kill animals, that eating meat does not make you morally corrupt." (p.31)

Full disclosure, I am a vegetarian. But I appreciate David's exposure of what every diet is - a philosophy, a way of life, a system. When "diet experts" say you should eat a certain way, they are asking you to believe in more than the food they promote. Think about it.

Of course than he points out that the "anything goes" diet is still a system, even without rules and regulations. He suggests that people with this diet secretly fear responsibility. I don't know that that is true, so I'm taking it with a grain of salt.

"We...literally have less ability to digest food when our mind is improperly digesting life's experiences." (p. 45)

This sentence pops up among the discussion of stress or anxiety and digestion. When our sympathetic nervous system (the fight-or-flee response) is alerted, digestion is put on the back burner, even if there's food going down the pipes. Sure, digestion still happens, but not nearly to the extent it would if we're relaxed. So enjoy what you've eaten or are about to eat, and relax!

Probably the best line was:

"When we say to someone, 'Don't eat that food, it is bad for you,' what they often hear is, 'You're a bad person for eating that food.'"

This leads to a discussion on "good" and "bad" food, self-worth, and identification. I suppose after years of hearing, "You are what you eat," it is not so large a leap as to connect "bad" foods to a "bad" self.

Essentially, the remainder of the book talks about our approach to food, to family, to life, and to nourishing ourselves. It is about intuitive eating, listening to our bodies and recognizing that the body's needs do change over seasons and years. There is a chapter on craving, and dealing with cravings without trying to muscle them into submission.

Overall, I'd say the book has its good qualities. I'd say it was helpful in building my food philosophy, and probably would be helpful in anyone's.

[Jeanine Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took a very long time (~2 months?) to read this less than 200 page book by Marc David, a nutritional psychologist. The beginning was difficult to get through, but the second half I found well worth the read. From the chapter (9) titled "The Nature of Habits" is when the book came together and started to offer some really interesting and useful perspectives in addressing relationships to food. The author is definitely a proponent of "mindful" or "conscious" eating. He also does a good job of remaining nonjudgmental about people's food habits and beliefs. He is mindful of people's ever changing everything (age, health, habits, philosophies, knowledge, enjoyment) and doesn't set out any one prescription for "the right" diet. He does assert that our relationship to food is one of the most central in our lives and that it deserves our best intentions. The book was originally published in 1991. Unfortunately, people's relationships with food are perhaps more stressful now, 20 years later. The approach of Nourishing Wisdom is still relevant.

[Micaela Hardyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most helpful and impactful books I’ve read, especially on nutrition. A really, really refreshing perspective on nourishment and eating in the midst of a culture of self-loathing, rules, and guilt/shame surrounding food. This is one I’m going to want to return to again and again, I suspect. Psychology and food, two of my true loves, come together 🥲

[Paola Galarza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Marc David.

[Jordan Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super transformational book. Highly recommend for anyone who spends any amount of time thinking about their relationship to food, body image, disordered eating, etc. An amazing read to start the year!

[Koen Niezink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voor mij soms een paar net wat te zweverige stukjes maar over het algemeen een goed boek over eten en mindset

[Carol Cottrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marc David's book, Nourishing Wisdom changed the way I (a practicing nutritional consultant) look at nutrition. A must read for anyone interested in embracing a truly holistic approach to nutrition and overall health of mind and body.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book. It's simple, easy to read, yet profound at the same time.

I would have liked to give it five stars BUT I felt like I needed more info about the author. He cited a few personal anecdotes on his relationship with food but they weren't super in-depth or personal. I would imagine that if you devote your life's work to healing people's connection to food, this was something you majorly struggled with. Or have serious knowledge of/experience with professionally. But this background was largely missing. He mentioned quitting med school but didn't describe what drove him to the psychology of eating. I don't know how extensively he's practiced, where his knowledge base is coming from. He does cite a few studies but I want to feel that this guy is insanely credible and I just don't have enough info to feel that way. I wish he'd told us more candidly about how he got over his own issues (come on, we know he has them. why else would he write this book?) if only to create more trust.

[Kazik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best book on nutrition I've read in my life. Also the only one so far. All jokes aside though..

Got the book cheap on my e-reader and was pleasantly satisfied. There is no preaching about what works best for nutrition and no claims of the perfect this, you must do this. It reinforces that everyone has to find what works for them and that your body's requirements are always changing. The tie in with our emotions and what might be going on in our lives was also a very new aspect for me, and it seems to make sense.

Each chapter provides some reflections that I found very interesting. This was a very refreshing book considering the amount of articles/videos found online regarding the newest health trend and how sensitive the topic of food is. Not sure why anyone would still be reading this and hasn't started reading the actual book at this point..

[Karla Ticona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This approach was something that I knew deep down but I never took really much attention. Reading this book while on vacation by the healing ocean in Tulum was the perfect match for an eye-opener, as well as a set of intentions to enjoy more my life including pleasure and nourishing every day in every way. I can only thank Marc David for writing this book by applying what I have learned in my own life and with my coaching clients.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who gets confused about which is the ultimate diet for health, let this be the next stop on your food journey. Despite being almost 30 years old this book is incredibly relevant to the challenges of today (except, perhaps, for some of the gender norms touched on). Looking past that though, this book has changed my perspective on diet, and it's insights now seem completely obvious... signs of an effective text on dietary philosophy.

[Nalbha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book by Marc David who is a nutritional psychologist. The book elucidates the psychology of eating by deliberating the connection between food and mind. Nourishment is not only about nutrition but your whole relationship with life. It further goes on to explain that there is no 'perfect' diet or one 'true' way to eat and that our food requirements are constantly changing.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!

[Ian McGaffey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book, and it spoke to the way I have been looking to eat for the past few years. Maybe it is time for a change to accommodate the changes in my life, I particularly found the idea of no diet lasting forever due to our changing needs poignant. I look forward to sharing this book with others.

[GinnisGooder · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes a very holistic approach to food and eating. I found it very interesting and has no trouble wanting to read it. However I only gave it three stars because frankly I thought it was just too gentle of an approach. I highly recommend to anyone interested in food and why we eat the way we do.

[Marcus Goncalves · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author offers great recommendations for eating that is centered, mindful, peaceful, and healthful. Some of his assertions are a bit contradicting, and his calling of vitamins that are not vitamins, are annoying. Maybe I’m being a bit picky though. Great book.

[Liv]

My doctor team recommended this book as part of my treatment. For a little over a year my body was extremely sick, and eating food was painful. As part of getting healthy again, I read this book. It is full of nourishing wisdom, with step-by-step guidance and questions. Definitely would recommend.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating and relevant exploration of the psychology of eating.

[Tina Milledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought-provoking. I dog eared often, and learnt a lot from, my copy.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could read this book in Spanish!!!!!!

[Errica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finally became interested around page 40 and then I was very glad to read from then on. Marc David’s insight and counsel on nourishing our bodies seems useful.

[Olga K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!
This is now my favorite book about spiritual development and how food should be an important part of it.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very mixed bag - some good stuff, some weird stuff, & some wrong stuff.

[Jaria Ruazol · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books is nice towards the end. Was having a hard time finishing it midway. But the chapters towards the end were nourishing making it worth it to read

[William L Ingram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purposeful eating!

This book is perfect for anyone serious about learning the mind and body connection with food. The author educates with insight and humor about how and why our eating habits control our lives and vice versa. The spiritual and psychological insights espoused are pitch perfect and should be taught to all children! Stop dieting! Learn who you are and why you eat what you do. This book will show you ways to improve your entire well-being with awareness.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each of us uses food or other popular substances to play out our hunger for the spiritual source. Alcoholics-booze, eating disordered-food, addict-drugs. Diet will vary fro m person to person, from one week to the next, and no matter what happens, nothing will stay the same for long. Tolerance and respect for the food preferences of others is a crucial ingredient of eating. When food ceases to nourish, a deeper source of nourishment must be found. Health comes not only from eating good foods, but from thinking good thoughts and having a "healthy" attitude. Adam and Eve were told, "Do not believe you need to go outside yourselves to attain true knowledge. Do not believe you need be anything more than you already are. Do not believe you are separate from divinity." For in changing the way we eat, we change the way we live. By focusing attention while eating, we learn to focus attention in any situation. By enjoying food, we begin to enjoy nourishment in all its forms. The Eater's Agreement

[Parker Loesch · Rating 3 out of 5]

It a good read for people who are interested in the holistic approach to food and self transformation. Although it lack is conversations around food and the environment, and the holistic nature of simply talking about where our food comes from, who picked our food, and were they paid fairly. I was, in addition, craving how an individuals relationship to food can transform, not only the self image and self love through our relationship to food, but also the ethical implication that come with eating in a global economy. Also I struggled with the ways in which he address gender. I can remember in two instances where he implied that women have a biological desire to be in the kitchen based on the nurturing nature of a womanhood. The way he talked about gender perpetuated an unhealthy social construct that does not and should not fit in the 21st century. But other than the couple sociological hiccups, it was a good read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading his Slow Down Diet, I wanted to read more from him, so picked up this book.

I liked it but not quite as much. What I think was valuable about this book was that it was broader in its focus and concepts. Not just about eating mindfully, it's about broader food/nutrition lifestyle.

His writing is good, concepts are both scientifically sourced and intuitively sound, and I enjoyed it a lot. It was a nice follow-up and helped round out my recent interest in this reading category.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really did offer quite a bit of mind-body-eating wisdom. Far from being a specific approach, it's more of a paradigm for viewing oneself and one's relationship with the body and food. I appreciated how balanced and grounded I felt after reading it. In my efforts to heal and nourish my body, I've come across a lot of books that promise the best way or the only way to eat/live/heal. This book helped me identify with my own body and my own experience to determine the best ways to calmly nourish my spirit and body.

[Kaits · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after reading The Slow Down Diet - also by Marc David and would actually recommend reading Nourishing Wisdom first (I believe this is the order they were written). Both have incredible material. This book is packed with information but also light and simple. Marc shows us how our relationship with food is far beyond the general scope we commonly know. Each chapter is a simple read and he follows each chapter with the key points and then a series of reflections to ponder, self assess and consider.

[Alex K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A welcome salve to the food rule craziness of our modern culture. The book aims to dispel all of the unhealthy ways we approach food, following strict rules, breaking down food into nutrients, and confusing self worth with the food we eat. I certainly identified with some of the unhealthy and damaging cycles we can fall into around food.

A great book, it's only detraction is that it feels a little too self-helpy, with key points and reflection questions at the end of each chapter.

A quick read, and very much worth it! Especially if you eat food.