Permission To Eat: A practical guide to working yourself out of an eating disorder during college, while celebrating the awesomeness that is you!

by Libby Parker

Eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes. No matter where you’re struggling on the spectrum of food behaviors, you are likely stressing yourself out about what the “perfect” answers are to making you feel good in your body again. It’s time to put down those calorie counters and end the trendy weight-loss diets! (Put down the keto shake...drop it!)

Permission To Eat is a practical guide for recovery from eating disorders in college and beyond. The book gives readers specific tools for all genders to break up with their disorder, including action-based worksheets and journal prompts, knowledge of medical complications and what to tell medical professionals, personal stories from the author and others who have been through eating disorders, and most importantly—hope for full recovery.

This book will help you discover how

Drop the guilt around eating and create a better relationship with food so that you can get on with the more important things in life.Know what information to tell health professionals so that you get the best care.Understand what some complications of your disorder can be, and how to reverse or stop them from happening with actionable tips.Handle it when your treatment team asks you to cut back on the exercise.Find peace with food and give yourself permission to eat intuitively.After reading Permission to Eat, you’ll feel the freedom to eat at any restaurant you want, to pick up any food that looks good, to get to know yourself, and to start loving your body instead of shaming it. Filled with nutritional information and glowing motivational messages, this book is sure to guide you toward trusting your body and taking the first steps toward long-lasting recovery.

155 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2019

Reviews

[Abibliophobia-the fear of running out of things to read 🥺 · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫✨ 4.75 stars

This was the perfect combination of anecdotes, humor, and fact. It was quite focused on binging in my opinion, and as I am not a binger, a lot didn’t apply to me. I liked that the author prevented possible health issues in not too much of a anxiety provoking way. Often, for me, thinking of the possible health issues of my destructive behavior makes life feel so out of my control, leading me to restrict to feel in control.

I loved that Parker didn’t constantly bring up triggers for people because it can trigger people (duh) and I have odd reasons and triggers behind my behavior so a lot of times they did not relate to me. My thought behind my restriction is a fear of becoming overweight when I am older, not in the present.

I have recently started recovery after confessing to my family and doctors and this was the first book on the topic that I have read. I would love some recommendations for another great books like this. I am also looking for a book that connects EDs to OCD and/or an anxiety disorder, as those really affect it for me.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone to read, whether you have had an eating disorder, have an eating disorder, are in recovery, know someone, or not. Anyone and everyone should read this book!

P.S. Bonus points for a great cover featuring one of my favorite treats, macarons!

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another recovery must-read! Fight feelings with facts with this book, loaded with nutritional truths free from diet-culture ideals!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource with wonderful information. It is an easy read and is unique in that it is written by someone with experience and education regarding eating disorders. My only caution is that it can come off as overly simplified, which can be frustrating, especially if you are deep in the grips of an eating disorder. That being said, all the information and tools provided are helpful but may be most helpful if paired with more in depth treatment via specialists in this area. I'd recommend this book as a great first step toward recovery and freedom.

[Brooke Ferrari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness this book is life changing. I finished the book in less than 24 hours because I could not put it down. As someone who is in recovery for years this provided so many NEW insightful tips, medical PROOF, all packaged in a way that made it easy to read, as if it were just a conversation rather than a list of things to do/jumbled medical terminology. This is absolutely one of my most favorites now and I plan on sharing it with everyone I know....literally everyone could get something out of this book.

[Jason Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby's authenticity and lived experience shine through in this book. It was the first piece I read at the start of my recovery, and it really helped me embrace the process while helping me heal my relationship with myself and with food.

[Tenna Anasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you.

[Nora Kabbani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this 10 stars if I could… EVERYONE should read this book, it changed my life!