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Handboek voor de emotie-eter
Als emotie-eter eter zoek je troost, afleiding en plezier bij voedsel. Je weet dat het ongezond is, maar toch kun je niet stoppen ondanks alle diëten die je wellicht al hebt geprobeerd. Therapeute Julie Simon biedt een nieuwe kijk op te veel eten en overgewicht en ze onderscheidt drie factoren die hierbij een rol spelen: emotionele, spirituele en fysieke disbalans. Dit boek helpt je deze disbalans te onderkennen. Meer energie, gewichtsverlies, een betere gezondheid en zelfvertrouwen zijn het natuurlijke gevolg. Julie M. Simon is psychotherapeute en life coach en helpt mensen met overgewicht om bewust te kijken naar hun eetpatroon en de achterliggende oorzaken. Ze is tevens gecertificeerd personal trainer en ze woont en werkt in Los Angeles.
346 pages, ebook
First published October 23, 2012
249 people are currently reading
551 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 17, 2012
With The Emotional Eater’s Repair Manual, Simon has written a prescription for emotional eaters that is clear, frank and effective. Simon begins by explaining the problem…and the fact that another diet cannot possibly solve it. By framing the problem as emotional hunger, she is then able to explore how various forms of self-care can resolve the insanity that goes along with chronic overeating.
The book is divided into three sections: mastering self-care skills, tuning up biochemistry and filling up spiritual reserves. I found it to be very well organized, and each chapter clearly made the case for skills, principles and practices that are prescribed. As I’m someone who has been medical director of a large rehab and worked with many hundreds of people with disordered eating, I have some experience in this topic. I can say with certainty that the recommendations in this book make sense and represent a very effective approach to managing emotional eating.
As an example, the skill chapter entitled “Catch and Reframe Self-Defeating Thoughts” reviewed what psychologists call cognitive distortions and cognitive behavioral therapy in a much more digestible and practical fashion than most other authors have treated it. That chapter, as an example, left me with a simple and clear explanation of how I might use those time-tested and scientifically grounded principles to address this problem behavior. The other chapters, similarly, were highly readable and practical, and offered simple suggestions for managing the problem.
Later, the book offers a recommendation for eating “foods consistent with your human design.” The specific suggestion for incorporating plant-based unprocessed whole foods is right on target; in my clinical experience, eating in that way offers the best chance for a resolution of the emotional eating cycle. (In fact, I emphasize in Craving: Why We Can't Seem to Get Enough that what you start eating, especially unprocessed nutrient-dense foods, is much more important than what you stop eating). Similarly, the sleep and exercise suggestions were accessible and right on target.
Many authors have written on how to manage eating related problems and the link between emotions and what we eat. However, this book represents the best treatment I’ve read so far of a practical prescription for addressing the problem that is both scientifically grounded and easily readable.
The book is divided into three sections: mastering self-care skills, tuning up biochemistry and filling up spiritual reserves. I found it to be very well organized, and each chapter clearly made the case for skills, principles and practices that are prescribed. As I’m someone who has been medical director of a large rehab and worked with many hundreds of people with disordered eating, I have some experience in this topic. I can say with certainty that the recommendations in this book make sense and represent a very effective approach to managing emotional eating.
As an example, the skill chapter entitled “Catch and Reframe Self-Defeating Thoughts” reviewed what psychologists call cognitive distortions and cognitive behavioral therapy in a much more digestible and practical fashion than most other authors have treated it. That chapter, as an example, left me with a simple and clear explanation of how I might use those time-tested and scientifically grounded principles to address this problem behavior. The other chapters, similarly, were highly readable and practical, and offered simple suggestions for managing the problem.
Later, the book offers a recommendation for eating “foods consistent with your human design.” The specific suggestion for incorporating plant-based unprocessed whole foods is right on target; in my clinical experience, eating in that way offers the best chance for a resolution of the emotional eating cycle. (In fact, I emphasize in Craving: Why We Can't Seem to Get Enough that what you start eating, especially unprocessed nutrient-dense foods, is much more important than what you stop eating). Similarly, the sleep and exercise suggestions were accessible and right on target.
Many authors have written on how to manage eating related problems and the link between emotions and what we eat. However, this book represents the best treatment I’ve read so far of a practical prescription for addressing the problem that is both scientifically grounded and easily readable.
August 11, 2016
This book resonated with me in such a way, it took me 6 months to read it. I kept putting it down because I wanted to really think about it, and not miss a single bit of the wisdom inside. I will be re-reading and rereading this book for years to come. I think it is the kind of book that I will get something different out of each time.
February 11, 2013
This book is phenomenal!!! Changing my life.
October 3, 2014
Fantastic book! Don't try to devour this one in one gulp. Small bites; there is a lot to digest here, and each chapter takes some integration. Really solid and practical help, without being an obnoxious self help tome.
March 17, 2013
Extremely helpful book- helps you find the root of the problem versus just saying "you're fat, eat less and exercise more it's that easy".
December 2, 2015
Excellent book
This book is one of a kind. No more diet plans, but a way of getting to the root cause of why you overeat. Finally a way out of this food addiction.
This book is one of a kind. No more diet plans, but a way of getting to the root cause of why you overeat. Finally a way out of this food addiction.
January 23, 2021
This book along with fasting has helped me get in tune with hunger signals and I’m really appreciative for all that it has taught me and the learning I have ahead on eating for nourishing my body and mind.
November 8, 2023
Erg Amerikaans doch verrassend praktisch en vanuit holistisch perspectief.
June 17, 2025
This book was actually very helpful and I will incorporate a lot of this into my therapeutic practice. The vegan chapter missed the mark honestly, but the rest of the book was pretty spot on processing and skill based practices.
February 22, 2021
The title of this book was just about all I needed to pick it up. Food, specifically sugary foods, are my addiction and I tend to eat more of them when I am having strong emotions. The author of this book is a licensed psychotherapist and life coach with experience in coaching overeaters (people like me) so she has credentials to write such a book.
I found this book very helpful. It explains why one overeats and then how to work towards overcoming emotional eating. It is divided into three parts: Mastering Self-Care Skills, Tuning up Biochemistry, and Filling Up Spiritual Reserves. Each of these sections then have multiple chapters with each chapter dedicated to a skill to work on in that area. The self-care skills are very useful but they will require you to dedicate a bit of time to make them natural habits.
I especially found the specific tools the author provided in the chapter dedicated to establishing a habit of self connection. In this day in age, I think that many of us have stopped connecting to ourselves and, too often, stuff down anything we feel or need which tends to lead to unhealthy or even destructive behaviors. This part of the book will help one to find the reconnection to self in order for them to identify what they actually need.
As a whole, I did like the book. However, I did struggle with Part 2: Tuning Up Biochemistry. While I found the author’s tools for recognizing hunger and fullness signals and I could get on board with the way she outlined eating whole, unprocessed plant foods, I don’t think I will ever be able to or even want to give up meat as my protein source as she suggests. I feel like everytime I read about the topic of “diet” (not in calorie restriction but in what you eat) and what humans should or should not be eating, the recommendations change. So, I will stick to eating portions of meat at each meal with my plate of veggies and side of fruit!
Overall, I found this book very useful and will refer to it in the future as I work to overcome my own emotional eating issues. Some information reiterated things I already knew but were worth reading about again while some information was brand new to me. More importantly, the strategies she gives the reader are useful AND doable!
I found this book very helpful. It explains why one overeats and then how to work towards overcoming emotional eating. It is divided into three parts: Mastering Self-Care Skills, Tuning up Biochemistry, and Filling Up Spiritual Reserves. Each of these sections then have multiple chapters with each chapter dedicated to a skill to work on in that area. The self-care skills are very useful but they will require you to dedicate a bit of time to make them natural habits.
I especially found the specific tools the author provided in the chapter dedicated to establishing a habit of self connection. In this day in age, I think that many of us have stopped connecting to ourselves and, too often, stuff down anything we feel or need which tends to lead to unhealthy or even destructive behaviors. This part of the book will help one to find the reconnection to self in order for them to identify what they actually need.
As a whole, I did like the book. However, I did struggle with Part 2: Tuning Up Biochemistry. While I found the author’s tools for recognizing hunger and fullness signals and I could get on board with the way she outlined eating whole, unprocessed plant foods, I don’t think I will ever be able to or even want to give up meat as my protein source as she suggests. I feel like everytime I read about the topic of “diet” (not in calorie restriction but in what you eat) and what humans should or should not be eating, the recommendations change. So, I will stick to eating portions of meat at each meal with my plate of veggies and side of fruit!
Overall, I found this book very useful and will refer to it in the future as I work to overcome my own emotional eating issues. Some information reiterated things I already knew but were worth reading about again while some information was brand new to me. More importantly, the strategies she gives the reader are useful AND doable!
September 30, 2017
I have discovered so much about myself since I started reading this book. I felt as though each chapter was talking about me in some way. I have begun to implement some of the suggested strategies, however I can also see that it is a long road to 'recovery'.
If you think that this is just another 'diet' book - think again. It encourages the reader to look into their own thoughts and behaviours, and to identify for themselves the areas in which they may feel they need to improve.
I am soo glad I decided to purchase this book. I feel like I am in the road to a better me and a healthier lifestyle.
If you think that this is just another 'diet' book - think again. It encourages the reader to look into their own thoughts and behaviours, and to identify for themselves the areas in which they may feel they need to improve.
I am soo glad I decided to purchase this book. I feel like I am in the road to a better me and a healthier lifestyle.
February 19, 2022
There's good information in this book, don't get me wrong, but I quickly got tired of the author's ridiculous, obsessive, annoying, excessive, unnecessary, repetitive and tedious adjective-listing. The ideas could've been conveyed more easily and conversationally without trying to squeeze an entire thesaurus in. I know I sound angry but I seriously considered abandoning this book over how irritating this got, given it was multiple times per chapter, sometimes multiple times per page.
March 29, 2024
3.5/5
This book offered some new (and true) perspectives surrounding emotional eating. I enjoyed that the book addressed the mind, body, and soul. My only critique is dedicating an entire chapter to discussing how plant-based diets are the only real way to eat healthy. This isn't always feasible or realistic for the average person. And the comment about "participating in the slaughter of innocent sentient beings" wasn't necessary and came across as condescending.
This book offered some new (and true) perspectives surrounding emotional eating. I enjoyed that the book addressed the mind, body, and soul. My only critique is dedicating an entire chapter to discussing how plant-based diets are the only real way to eat healthy. This isn't always feasible or realistic for the average person. And the comment about "participating in the slaughter of innocent sentient beings" wasn't necessary and came across as condescending.
December 2, 2015
This was a really interesting and useful book. Reading this book confirmed for me my issues around food and gave me some practical tools to deal with those issues. It provides a very well-rounded approach to dealing with emotional eating, including a section on self-care and nurturing, and provides various exercises and suggestions for people struggling in this area.
May 21, 2015
This is a great book, made me understand a lot of issues I was not aware of.
July 19, 2017
Boek dat je handvaten geeft om voor jezelf te zorgen zodat je minder gaat eten uit emotie. Ik herken er zaken in van gc zoals je gevoelens toelaten en voelen en van daaruit behoeften gaan bekijken en verzoeken doen. Maar ook voor jezelf zorgen.
Er wordt ook gepleit voor een vegetarische levensstijl en het aanpakken van een lichamelijke disbalans.
er is ook aandacht voor zingeving aan je leven en dankbaarheid.
Er wordt ook gepleit voor een vegetarische levensstijl en het aanpakken van een lichamelijke disbalans.
er is ook aandacht voor zingeving aan je leven en dankbaarheid.
February 15, 2024
Such a big fan of this book! I loved that the book had three parts, the first and third one spoke the most to me, while the second one kinda felt very diety. But I can see how she created a 12 week program out of the book and you definitely could do that at home too. Some skills might need much longer to become habits, but they are super helpful.
September 28, 2019
A lot to take in
This book was written for me and I know the techniques discussed would help me. I think parts should be done with a therapist. I am overwhelmed with most of the book and found little I could put into practice on my own.
This book was written for me and I know the techniques discussed would help me. I think parts should be done with a therapist. I am overwhelmed with most of the book and found little I could put into practice on my own.
February 22, 2020
I loved this book and learned a lot!
March 23, 2021
I thought this was just going to be a book about emotional eating. But it was so much more. It has been a light during a very dark period in my life. All the stars.
June 3, 2021
Helpful
May 25, 2023
it's okay.
It's very slow going and sometimes I would forget what the point was. Not my favorite tool but it was highly recommended and just wasn't for me.
It's very slow going and sometimes I would forget what the point was. Not my favorite tool but it was highly recommended and just wasn't for me.
July 28, 2025
Parts of this were helpful and thought provoking.
November 10, 2025
Decent book filled with practical advice and easy to follow steps.
June 1, 2020
I borrowed the kindle edition from the library and then I had to buy a copy. It resonates so much with me I found myself copying most of the book in my journal.
I think that the Guide style of the book is what makes it a very good manual. It is not about reading it in one go but a reference book that helps every time you need clarity in the reasons behind overeating.
I think that the Guide style of the book is what makes it a very good manual. It is not about reading it in one go but a reference book that helps every time you need clarity in the reasons behind overeating.
September 8, 2013
Lots of sound information, wisdom, and advice here. I appreciate her holistic (body/mind/spirit) view of things. Yes, it takes more to lose weight than mere "willpower". As a male reade, my big complaint is that nothing on the cover indicates that it is a book for women. 95% of the advice would be equally relevant to women or men, so why write the book with only a female audience in mind?
April 25, 2016
I didnt expect a magic trick (would have been nice), but it helped me realise (again) that i need some realistic goals and keep questoning myself when i feel like raging through the snack shelf.
I dont know if the suggestion in the book will help me, but it helped me to focus on the underlying issue again
I dont know if the suggestion in the book will help me, but it helped me to focus on the underlying issue again
October 22, 2015
Some parts are pretty useful, others (like the no - animal products chapter) missed scientific insight on mental health issues. In general I found it a pity that all examples are about women. on the contrary I appreciate the positive attitude of the book.
January 24, 2013
Review to come.
August 11, 2016
Bit too strong on accountability of having youth trauma's
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews