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Satisfied: A 90-Day Spiritual Journey Toward Food Freedom
Begin to break the chains and find freedom from food cravings through this biblically-based 90 day devotional from leading food addiction expert, counselor, and author of Food Triggers , Dr. Rhona Epstein.
Satisfied is designed for anyone seeking to change the way they relate to food, from those simply looking for healthier food behaviors to those deeply struggling with food addiction and abuse. The time-tested, spiritual reflections in this book can ensure that food takes its proper place in your life. Rooted in the 12 Steps of proven recovery programs, and based on Dr. Rhona's experiences in more than thirty years as an addiction recovery counselor, Satisfied pairs scriptural guidance with her counseling expertise.
This book is organized into three sections of thirty daily entries, which are influenced by the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and Overeaters Anonymous Anonymous and deeply grounded in the spiritual truths of the
Satisfied is designed for anyone seeking to change the way they relate to food, from those simply looking for healthier food behaviors to those deeply struggling with food addiction and abuse. The time-tested, spiritual reflections in this book can ensure that food takes its proper place in your life. Rooted in the 12 Steps of proven recovery programs, and based on Dr. Rhona's experiences in more than thirty years as an addiction recovery counselor, Satisfied pairs scriptural guidance with her counseling expertise.
This book is organized into three sections of thirty daily entries, which are influenced by the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and Overeaters Anonymous Anonymous and deeply grounded in the spiritual truths of the
224 pages, Paperback
Published January 2, 2018
258 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Rhona Epstein
7 books7 followersRhona Epstein, Psy. D., CAC, is not only a licensed psychologist, certified addictions counselor and marriage and family therapist, she has personally experienced recovery from food addiction. Dr. Epstein received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Chestnut Hill College and has been helping individuals find freedom over food addiction for the past 25 years. Dr. Epstein practices counseling in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. She is a much sought after conference speaker.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 29, 2018
When I was in jr high I was the school's best distance runner. I hated it. I could never allow myself to lose, not even in practice. I knew that if a teammate ever beat me, they’d do it again. And again.
My biggest takeaway from Satisfied is to apply the same obsession to my diet. It's amazing how well I can rationalize. One cookie won't hurt. I can get away with a handful of M&Ms, or isn’t it time for a "cheat day". Nope. If I'm serious about losing weight, I have to be all in.
Notes:
1.
Giving into that one piece of birthday cake is the same as the alcoholic who takes the one drink on New Year's Eve. "Once the door is opened, it could take years for them to sober up again" (99)
1.
Humility. When you believe you have it all together, that is the moment you're in real trouble (205)
My biggest takeaway from Satisfied is to apply the same obsession to my diet. It's amazing how well I can rationalize. One cookie won't hurt. I can get away with a handful of M&Ms, or isn’t it time for a "cheat day". Nope. If I'm serious about losing weight, I have to be all in.
Notes:
1.
Giving into that one piece of birthday cake is the same as the alcoholic who takes the one drink on New Year's Eve. "Once the door is opened, it could take years for them to sober up again" (99)
1.
Humility. When you believe you have it all together, that is the moment you're in real trouble (205)
January 19, 2024
I had to skim this, I am disappointed as this is basic and more like scripture than anything helpful related to food relationship. I did not find anything in this helpful or applicable to healthy food relationships.
June 21, 2025
Book Review: Satisfied: A 90-Day Spiritual Journey Toward Food Freedom by Dr. Rhona Epstein
Rating: 3.8/5
Reviewer’s Lens & Initial Reactions
As a female sociologist and public health professional, I approached Satisfied with cautious optimism. The book’s promise of integrating spiritual guidance with food addiction recovery intrigued me, particularly given the gendered pressures of diet culture—a systemic issue my research often examines. Epstein’s personal narrative of overcoming food addiction evoked empathy, but her heavy reliance on faith-based solutions left me conflicted. While her 12-Step approach aligns with proven recovery models (e.g., FA, referenced in my research), the lack of structural critique of diet culture’s harms—especially for women—felt like a missed opportunity.
Strengths & Emotional Impact
-Recognition of Food Addiction: Epstein’s clinical expertise shines in her practical strategies, validating the often-dismissed struggle of food addiction. Her 30-year counseling background lends credibility, though I wished for more empirical citations.
-Gendered Nuance: The book implicitly acknowledges women’s unique vulnerability to diet culture (e.g., societal beauty standards) but stops short of dissecting how capitalism and patriarchy amplify these pressures—a tension that stirred frustration.
-Emotional Resonance: The devotional format’s daily exercises (“trusting God one day at a time”) felt simultaneously comforting and limiting. As a public health scholar, I questioned accessibility for non-Christian or secular readers.
Constructive Criticism
-Diet Culture’s Structural Roots: Epstein’s focus on individual healing overlooks systemic drivers (e.g., the $70B diet industry’s targeting of women, per NAED research). A chapter linking spiritual recovery to collective resistance (e.g., body positivity movements) would have strengthened its relevance.
-Intersectional Gaps: The book centers a presumably heteronormative, able-bodied experience. How do race, class, or LGBTQ+ identities intersect with food addiction? Silence here undermines inclusivity.
-Scientific Rigor: While citing the 12 Steps, Epstein omits critiques of their limitations (e.g., one-size-fits-all applicability). A public health perspective demands evidence-based alternatives for diverse populations.
Why This Book Matters
Satisfied offers a compassionate, faith-centered toolkit for food addiction recovery, filling a niche for spiritually inclined readers. Yet its avoidance of diet culture’s structural harms—particularly for women—limits its transformative potential.
Thank you to the publisher for the free copy via Edelweiss. Rated 3.8/5—valuable for its niche, but read alongside critiques of diet culture (e.g., The Surprising History of Diet Culture) for balance.
Pair With: The Beauty Myth (Wolf) for feminist analysis or Anti-Diet (Harrison) for structural critique. A devotional balm, not a systemic antidote.
Rating: 3.8/5
Reviewer’s Lens & Initial Reactions
As a female sociologist and public health professional, I approached Satisfied with cautious optimism. The book’s promise of integrating spiritual guidance with food addiction recovery intrigued me, particularly given the gendered pressures of diet culture—a systemic issue my research often examines. Epstein’s personal narrative of overcoming food addiction evoked empathy, but her heavy reliance on faith-based solutions left me conflicted. While her 12-Step approach aligns with proven recovery models (e.g., FA, referenced in my research), the lack of structural critique of diet culture’s harms—especially for women—felt like a missed opportunity.
Strengths & Emotional Impact
-Recognition of Food Addiction: Epstein’s clinical expertise shines in her practical strategies, validating the often-dismissed struggle of food addiction. Her 30-year counseling background lends credibility, though I wished for more empirical citations.
-Gendered Nuance: The book implicitly acknowledges women’s unique vulnerability to diet culture (e.g., societal beauty standards) but stops short of dissecting how capitalism and patriarchy amplify these pressures—a tension that stirred frustration.
-Emotional Resonance: The devotional format’s daily exercises (“trusting God one day at a time”) felt simultaneously comforting and limiting. As a public health scholar, I questioned accessibility for non-Christian or secular readers.
Constructive Criticism
-Diet Culture’s Structural Roots: Epstein’s focus on individual healing overlooks systemic drivers (e.g., the $70B diet industry’s targeting of women, per NAED research). A chapter linking spiritual recovery to collective resistance (e.g., body positivity movements) would have strengthened its relevance.
-Intersectional Gaps: The book centers a presumably heteronormative, able-bodied experience. How do race, class, or LGBTQ+ identities intersect with food addiction? Silence here undermines inclusivity.
-Scientific Rigor: While citing the 12 Steps, Epstein omits critiques of their limitations (e.g., one-size-fits-all applicability). A public health perspective demands evidence-based alternatives for diverse populations.
Why This Book Matters
Satisfied offers a compassionate, faith-centered toolkit for food addiction recovery, filling a niche for spiritually inclined readers. Yet its avoidance of diet culture’s structural harms—particularly for women—limits its transformative potential.
Thank you to the publisher for the free copy via Edelweiss. Rated 3.8/5—valuable for its niche, but read alongside critiques of diet culture (e.g., The Surprising History of Diet Culture) for balance.
Pair With: The Beauty Myth (Wolf) for feminist analysis or Anti-Diet (Harrison) for structural critique. A devotional balm, not a systemic antidote.
September 6, 2021
An excellent book for anyone with food addictions.
This is a great book for anyone dealing with food addictions. The daily journey is one that helps change your mindset about food addictions.
This is a great book for anyone dealing with food addictions. The daily journey is one that helps change your mindset about food addictions.
December 22, 2024
This book had so much potential, but it fell flat. The questions for thought left something to be desired. At the end of the book, day 87, she reminded the reader of the need to ask for help. The whole day was about finding a support team. By day 87 of 90 you should have an established support system.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2019
Really really basic and simple concepts and I had to just skim it all. I did appreciate the Bible verses though!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews