When Food Is Comfort: Nurture Yourself Mindfully, Rewire Your Brain, and End Emotional Eating

by Julie M. Simon, Omar Manejwala (Foreword)

Learn Inner Nurturing and End Emotional Eating If you regularly eat when you’re not truly hungry, choose unhealthy comfort foods, or eat beyond fullness, something is out of balance. Recent advances in brain science have uncovered the crucial role that our early social and emotional environment plays in the development of imbalanced eating patterns. When we do not receive consistent and sufficient emotional nurturance during our early years, we are at greater risk of seeking it from external sources, such as food. Despite logical arguments, we have difficulty modifying our behavior because we are under the influence of an emotionally dominant part of the brain. The good news is that the brain can be rewired for optimal emotional health. When Food Is Comfort presents a breakthrough mindfulness practice called Inner Nurturing, a comprehensive, step-by-step program developed by an author who was herself an emotional eater. You’ll learn how to nurture yourself with the loving-kindness you crave and handle stressors more easily so that you can stop turning to food for comfort. Improved health and self-esteem, more energy, and weight loss will naturally follow.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Mental Health, Audiobook, Food

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 10, 2018

Reviews

[Roslyn Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie knows her stuff. Her previous book was a lifesaver, and this has proven to be just ask good. If you struggle with emotional eating, this book will no doubt help you. There is no hype or crazy suggestions- she has done her research (years of research) and understands how our brains work. Bottom line, you can rewire your brain to stop eating when you're not even hungry, etc. And she will tell you how.

[Rena Leddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helps explains why you turn to food when you feed your emotions. It dives deep and offers an outline of how to heal yourself. Yet, Simon’s writing is so good that you feel you are having a one on one session with her.

[Nalian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like this book really resonated with my experience and struggles around food. It’s very compassionately written, bringing a lot of clarity around how our upbringing affects our attitudes around food and how we use food as a coping mechanism. I especially appreciated linking neurobiology and explaining how that fits into it. Really recommend this book.

[Brittney Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book dives so much further than solely emotional eating. I recommend this book to anyone who would like to strengthen their inner nurturing self / inner child to relieve anxiety and promote calmness, attuning to your body’s needs, and in response, limiting unhealthy coping mechanisms.

[Louis Lebel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Related to a lot of the content which made me feel emotions that made me want to go grab a snack

[Dr. Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie Simon's expertise helped me recall vivid memories of when I began reaching for food at the age of 6, and how to continue to deal with this behavior, still, at the age of 77!
As a bonus, Ms. Simon also helped me to tap into my inner self, to not only continue to help me keep up this daily vigil of awareness as to why I reach for comfort foods, but also to learn how to better tune into my thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations when confronted with well-meaning, but sometimes invasive individuals regarding other aspects of my life.
Ms. Simon has given me new insights on how to be a better listener, in addition to being a more insightful food consumer, who will take time to think about why I'm wanting to reach for that piece of chocolate, or whatever else I may have in mind, at that time; in other words, to take at least 10 minutes and "lift the hood of my psyche" to peer in to what's really going on before I reach for that comfort food!
Bravo to you, Ms. Julie! and Thank you!

[Andrea Dlg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Made me look deep into a lot of beliefs I have/had.

[Lindsay Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may have changed my life. And I would be willing to recommend it to people who don’t even have an emotional eating problem.

[Оля · Rating 4 out of 5]

Мінус зірочка за велику кількість посилань на іншу книжку авторки.

[Stories & Verse · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When Food is Comfort" is a self-help book for over-eaters. It outlines protocols on how to atune with your inner nuturer or higher voice.

Part one succeeds in outlining the underlying causes of overeating. Part two is about becoming your own best friend. I particularly found the pop the hood exercise useful. Part three was my favorite part. It explained how to nurture others and attract other nurturers into your life.

The format of the book follows the counseling sessions of the authors clients. You may or not relate to their stories but at least there is hope that the system she is offering works.

I recently lost weight but i still have problems with binge eating. I feel the guidelines in this book give me general tools to use to overcome my bad habits.

The only thing i would warn about this book is not to get caught up in the descriptions of the overweight binge eater. At times when the vivid description of the act of overeating was transcribed i found myself thinking that this type of person was the protagonist and i would overeat while reading the book because i felt i needed to fit the description in order to access my inner guide.

But overall this is an excellent book and i am excited about reading the first book "The Emotional Eaters Handbook". This book promises specific actions to take.

[Katie Solich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fascinating and provides so many insights in why we are the way we are and how we use food for comfort. I learned a lot about the way I cope, relate and express, mostly based on how I was raised. The book gives great strategies and tools for change that I’m excited to implement.

That’s being said this book is a lot to take in. It took me more than a year to finish and I feel like I’m not even sure what to do next. It provides so much information that I feel like a study guide or work book would be helpful. I’ll have to go back to my notes and highlights often. But I’m excited to start nurturing myself and healing.

[Piper Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

The advice wasn’t super relevant for me I still want Taco Bell

[Virginia Sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book along with the author’s previous book, The Emotional Eater’s Repair Manuel, has made my life better. In thoughtful and empathetic plain language, it helps a person identify emotional overeating, reasons why he/she overeats, and most importantly what to do about it. This book helps me focus on asking myself a question before I eat: Do I feel hungry or am I eating to squelch an unpleasant emotional feeling? The reading shows me how to be my own inner therapist. A therapist who says things like: You do not seem to be really hungry but I see that you feel sad (see also: invisible, angry, unlovable.) That is a real and valid emotion. What can we really do which might make you feel better besides eating the Snickers bar that is trying to jump into your mouth? Perhaps you could pet the cat, walk the dog, repot a plant, listen to music, etc.
I particularly like how this book did not look to blame me or any other person in my life. It points out that any caregiver in anyone’s life was dealing with their own struggles and may miss being as helpful to their charge as they could have been. It offers this same kindness to the person who struggles with overeating. No matter what care you received as a child, it may have not worked for you. But you can become a caregiver for yourself and be a great one because you know what you need most. The book details specific actions to take to do just that.
I would recommend this book to anyone regardless of where you might be with emotional eating issues. It is a pleasure to read and has taken up residence on my bedside table. The kindness and caring that flow from this author are true and inspiring. We need more of that in the world.

[Michael Germain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie has hit the nail right on the head with this book. It is such a comfort (no pun intended) to read an explanation of WHY I’ve been doing what I’ve been doing all these years. On every page, I found myself saying, “Yes! That’s it exactly!” (My book is now covered in yellow highlighter.) It was such a relief to know that someone really understands this problem and can not only articulate how it came to be, but offer an escape route to freedom. I have not yet finished reading the book, as I am taking my time and savouring every tidbit, but having read Julie’s previous book, “The Emotional Eater’s Repair Manual,” I know that she offers great wisdom, compassion, gentle guidance, and a step-by-step approach to a better relationship not only with food, but with one’s self. This book goes deeper into understanding the nature and cause of the problem, and so the profoundly transformational solution offered makes complete sense. In her warm, caring, thoughtful way, Julie teaches us the immeasurably valuable skill of being able to give to ourselves what we have typically looked externally to food and to others to give us, in terms of soothing, validation, comfort, nurturing, and feelings of worthiness. The benefits then spill over into every area of our lives. Brilliant!

[Simona Lichá · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pravdepodovne to najlepšie, čo som o psychickom zdraví čítala. Nie je to iba o jedle (nákupoch, závislostiach, scrollovaní, dosaďme si čokoľvek), ktorým podvedome často zmierňujeme nepríjemné pocity a napätie v tele (čokoláda za odmenu po náročnom meetingu?), ale najmä o našom vnútornom prežívaní a spôsobe, ako k nemu pristupovali (vedome alebo aj nevedome) naši blízki a aké coping mechanizmy sme si postupne vytvorili. Kto bol alebo nebol pre nás “inner nurturer” a ako si túto nenahraditeľnú rolu pre spokojný život vytvoriť pre seba v dospelosti, ak v detstve absentovala.

Žiadne prehlbovanie tráum, ale konkrétne tipy, ako si veci u seba nastaviť a začať upokojovať nervový systém pre naše telo zdravšími spôsobmi. Škoda, že sa takéto skvelé knihy strácajú na trhu v pretlaku iných. Nájdete ju iba v angličtine, ale číta sa aj napriek ťažšej téme ľahko. Odporúčam aj všetkým rodičom, je tam veľa výborne spracovaných konrétnych situácií k výchove.

“Perhaps your parents were skilled enough to inquire how you were feeling but one you shared your feelings, they quickly attempted to distract you or to solve the problem.”

[Miriam Sachs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is life-saving. It offers incredible insight about why we turn to food for comfort and walks readers through a process of self-validation and self-acceptance. Using the practices in this book, I have learned how to listen to my body and emotions, and I have began the process of healing myself with love instead of harming myself with food. The book explains the reasons behind addiction and compulsive behaviors. It has helped me so much--not only in changing my unhealthy eating habits, but also in connecting with my inner child and accessing a loving, gentle voice that I know can carry me through anything. Julie’s years of work in this field are apparent in the incredible, accurate, and truly life-saving insight that the book’s pages provide. I would recommend this read to anyone looking to stop overeating, bingeing, or eating unhealthy foods. I would also highly recommend it for anyone who simply wants to learn how to connect to themselves on a deeper level, and treat themselves and others around them with compassion and love.

[Michelle Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When Food is Comfort" is a thoughtful exploration into the underlying issues that predispose one to have an unhealthy relationship with food. In a non judgmental manner, Simon discusses attachment issues and brain chemistry as having a significant impact on our ability to self regulate vs. turn to food. Simon's tools offer individuals struggling with overeating a compassionate and self- affirming opportunity to love and heal themselves.

This book is a wonderful resource for individuals struggling with food addictions and for the professionals who so lovingly assist them! Simon coveys hope and optimism for change which is both comforting and contagious!

Thank you Julie!

Michelle Gross, MA, LMFT

[Lily Revere · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has given me simple, easy-to-understand guidance for developing the nurturing inner voice I need to use with my feeling self. I'm learning how to be here for myself, stay wholeheartedly on my own side, speak the loving words to myself that I've always needed to hear, and give myself the comfort that I need. This book brings me the instructions I've been searching for since someone I trust suggested that I needed to develop this inner nurturer. As I practice cultivating this skill, I soothe myself emotionally and find freedom from the need to self-soothe with food. I'm grateful to Julie Simon for this gentle, intelligent guidebook.

[Mindy Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a real find if you want to take the steps to end your emotional eating. There are many helpful suggestions here, that you can actually implement. The book outlines seven skills, and each skill has easily accessible tables to really help you make changes. Skills two and three were my favorites, and Julie Simon gives you many helpful, concrete examples of how to start talking to yourself differently by giving yourself unconditional acceptance, understanding, loving, comforting, supportive, and reassuring messages instead of turning to food and being mean to yourself. You won't be disappointed in what this book has to offer to help you recover!

[Jas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very insightful especially as this really hits the nail on the coffin from someone who is an emotional eater. Julie’s writing sweeps you away and it feels like you have personal one on one meeting with her. She provides insight as to why/how/what causes us to look to food for comfort when you don’t want to deal with or know how to handle certain emotions. great guideline on how to take initiative to make better decisions and understand that progress isn’t always perfect and committing to smaller baby steps and honing skills is much more beneficial than short term goals.
Def recommend!!

[Lauren Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. It's about more than just eating. Everyone can benefit from the book. The author talks about addictions of all types not just food. She is more than willing to delve into parts of food addiction and addiction in general most authors shy away from. Julie did a great job really reaching out to folks. Even me, a marathon runner, vegan and fitness instructor had a lot to learn from this book. It's not an easy read, but it's good even if you aren't an emotional eater. As a sober person (five years and counting), this book spoke to me.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was even better than her first one "The Emotional Eater's Repair Manual: A Practical Mind-Body-Spirit Guide for Putting an End to Overeating and Dieting" which I read a few months ago. I really like how she associates lack of certain skills we didn't learn in childhood with emotional eating. It's a great guide to learn to notice your emotions, soothing yourself, processing them and then to find other ways than eating. This book will help you in so many areas of your life besides eating and weight loss and your relationships will definitely improve!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never realize you don't have to be extremely overweight to be an emotional eater. Reading this book was a self discovery. I do feel a sense of hope by Simon's non judgmental teachings. I'd recommend this book for anyone wanting to connect with themselves on a different level and start learning to love themselves like never before.

[Cindy Buckshon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book immensely useful, not only in managing emotional eating but also in any other behaviour driven by mood and emotions. I found myself applying the principles quite naturally, even though I had resistance to the concepts. A good read for anyone dealing with any type of emotionally driven addictive behaviour.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid text for a foundational understanding of how food becomes comfort. Includes a helpful strategy for cultivating nurturing self-talk. Pretty basic stuff but still helpful if you're new to these concepts.

[Thalarctos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

If the author had incorporated intuitive eating, this would be a perfect book. The concept of the Inner Nurturer has changed my life. Definitely worth a read, but if you practice intuitive eating you'll have to beware a few sections that praise restricting food.

[Catherine L. Haws · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even before I finished listening to the audiobook, I recommended this book to like 5 people!
I appreciated the real-life stories and the examples of how to gently speak to yourself.
I think this books speaks to much more in life than just diet :)

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive - addressing the root causes rather than merely the symptoms.

The focus on CPTSD, emotional regulation, our inner nurturer and relational practices are all well intertwined. A great resource to read and practice.
It's a book I'll keep coming back to.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish there wasn't an emphasis on losing weight or else I feel I could recommend to clients. However, there are great principles in there about self-soothing, attachment, and shame. Would recommend to practitioners but not clients

[Sylvia Trapuzzano · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you regularly eat when you're not truly hungry, choose unhealthy comfort foods, or eat beyond fullness, you're going to love this wonderful new book by Julie M. Simon!