I Can't Stop Eating: How To Break Free From The Cycle Of Bingeing

by Sarah Dosanjh

Do you feel like your appetite for food is completely out of control? If so, you will understand the misery and obsession this usually brings. You may believe the answer is simply to try harder to control your eating. This doesn’t work! If it did, you’d have done it by now. I’m here to tell you there is another way. I lost nearly a decade of my life to binge eating. Today I am an eating disorder psychotherapist, who works alongside people who want to develop a healthy relationship with food and body image. This book brings together what I learned on my personal journey, as well as through helping others. I share what we need to understand, and do, to break free from the cycle of overeating. You will If you’ve had enough of battling with bingeing, and if you are ready to end the war within, give this book a chance to show you how!

Genres: Self Help, Health, Nonfiction, Nutrition, Psychology

213 pages, Paperback

First published January 6, 2020

Reviews

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started following the author of this book, Sarah, not long ago on instagram (under the_binge_eating_therapist).
I found her content so helpful and eye opening that I decided to give her book a go, and it is already proving incredibly helpful.

The RALIC method described in the book teaches you a non-judgmental, letting go approach to dealing with binge eating. Instead of doubling our efforts in trying to control what is incredibly difficult to, this method teaches us to recognise our difficulties, accept our circumstances, lean in to our emotions (probably the hardest one for me) and making a free choice, without the burden of self-imposed rules. I cannot recommend this book enough.

I had previously read another book on intuitive eating but I Can't Stop Eating is taking my understanding to a different level, I find. I would recommend this book particularly if you consider yourself to overeat or binge eat in a way you're not comfortable with and you think you're a black and white thinker, a perfectionist. This book will be particularly suitable in this case (in my opinion).

If this review resonates with you, I highly encourage you to give it a go!

[Anthony Rognsvoog · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not big into self help, but the book had some good points. Since I don't read self help, it felt like the thought was explained in full, then broken down and explained in full, then explained a third time, and forth. All these types of books might be like this, but it just felt too redundant for me.

[Matthew Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and it works!

What a treat this book was. The author breaks down binge eating, as well as impulsive and compulsive eating in a very holistic way. And it’s practical: RALIC works! Can’t overstate just how liberating it feels to have a way to face the binge cycle.

[Veslava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neskaičiau, bet perklausiau šia knygą. Nereali, kiek esu skaičiusi su mityba susijusių knygų, šita viena iš vertesnių dėmesio. Klausysiu dar kartą (nes ji anglų kalba), bet autorė pateikia labai aiškius psichologinius aspektus dėl valgymo. Visi žinome kad turime valgyt sveikiau, bet kodel viskas vis tiek baigiasi persivalgymu - apie tai ir yra ši knyga.

[Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very glad to have bought this book. Will be sharing insights with friends and I’d recommend it to anyone who’s curious. (Maybe not ideal for people who are currently intuitive eaters or folks who restrict)

Amazing work. I’m quite inattentive but found this book nice and easy to pace. So many new priceless perspectives on my relationship with food, myself, life, mortality, and tidbits of what it’s like to be in Dosanjh’s shoes helping people with this stuff daily. I greatly appreciate the care the author has put into this book and I want her to know it landed. This book may not be for everyone, but it was certainly for me. I’ve been spending more and more time in a recovered state before this book, and after I really believe I have all the tools I need right now, to be where I want. In fact: I *am* where I want *and* who I want.

Near the end I started getting a little impatient but was highlighting more text.

This book is self aware about preaching a “method” and I deeply appreciate that. I came in skeptical but was pleasantly surprised at how generalized and applicable it was. Something akin to mindfulness and acting on values. Applicable to virtually anything. Not just a challenging relationship with food. My preference is to avoid the perceived rigidity of following a trademarked acronym so I’ll continue to simply let it inform my thoughts.

In my mind this book ranks as eye opening as Intuitive Eating, which for me, says a lot considering I was somewhat anti-intuition before reading it (IE) haha. Intuitive eating laid the groundwork for the direction I wanted to go, and this book has been more of the emotional toolset to work through black and white among other things.

[Diana Moşoiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the content of this book, I actually listened it readed by the author and that was one of my best experiences with an audiobook.

This book is like a bandage for the soul and it makes you think a lot about your life in general and how you want to live.

And the main idea that I take it from it was that I don't want to live counting endless calories on the daily basis, I don't want to be stuck in an endless cycle of dieting and I don't want to live my 20s thinking about myself that I am not as perfect as other women. I feel loved, I have a family who loves me for who I am and I should try to learn how to love myself more in order to be happier with me. And just after when I will feel more good about myself to do it, only from a space of love, not because I am thinking that I will be more liked about how I will look.

I was not even conscious about that all this culture of dieting which is absolutely everywhere selling us the idea of happiness just after we lose all that weight. Why should we put on hold our happiness? I am not saying that we should stay overweight, but I am saying that the stress among it will hurt us more than the weight itself on the long term especially when we tried and failed so many times than we can count. :)

I don't think I am a person who is binging, but I have times when I probably eat more than I should. But I think all of us have times when we eat more, right?

[Andi Atherton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a lovely written book by a person who has gone through binge eating, overcame it, and then became "the binge eating therapist", helping thousands overcome their binge eating too. I met Sarah and she definitely knows her subject. I now follow her on both Instagram and YouTube.

Her book is a gem to read. She covers issues such as our relationship with food, self image and how our negative emotions can sabotage our behaviour and create overeating habits. Sarah's book then helps the reader understand how to develop a healthy relationship with food through the use of the RALIC method, which was created by Sarah herself, and is used as a guidance tool for improvement.
Sarah includes many client case studies as well as her own journey of shame, discovery and self-acceptance. Definitely a great read.

[Courtnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was like several therapy sessions for me and my troubled relationship with food. Sarah’s writing style is very laid back and conversational. She is very knowledgeable and passionate about helping others heal their relationships with food and body. One thing I really appreciated about this book is that the content always felt supportive and never condescending or preachy (like I’ve experienced with other similar books). I’m grateful for Sarah’s work, and also love following her on Insta!

[Adrini Chia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it ngl, listened to the authors audiobook she posted on YouTube. It's essentially things I know but can't seem to move from, but she includes that too, how to move forward.

Self awareness is important, and I'd say this book helped me, sometimes you just need to hear it in someone else's voice

Eating disorders are very complex, especially when they're trauma induced. And it's often a symptom of a larger problem. Fix that problem and the eating stops.

I agree.
It just hurts that I don't know how to fix my problem, without potentially hurting myself and other people in the process.

[Candice Maynard · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I found this book at the beginning of 2021. I have been stuck in a binge cycle for months prior and I just couldn’t find a way out. I noticed a video from the author in my YouTube feed and after watching some of her videos she mentioned she had written a book. This book covers many themes including intuitive eating, self esteem and body positivity. It poses great questions which enable you to reflect and provides you with tools to support you to recover from binge eating. Great book.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little but mighty book on binge eating change

The RALIC method is a great tool to use, together with the other resources shares at the end of the book. The Q&A was good as well. Only issue is maybe more case studies on how i tuitive eating qorks to build a bit mire trusy there. Overall worth the investment!

[Celia Rowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a binge eater per se but felt like I’ve been on a diet for about 20 years. When I overeat (‘bad’ foods, chocolate, chips etc) I feel guilty and I realised I have a terrible relationship with food and weight so wanting some help on the psychological side. This was a good read and reference book and I think the RACLIC method is useful. I’m not there yet but it’s a start!

[Vita Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may have as well written some of it myself…

After 20 years of binge eating, and trying everything, this book is a revelation - I cannot remember a more relatable read. Please read it if you struggle with food - it made a huge difference to me and gave me hope.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is spot on. It has all of the best things! Things that I have been finding and picking through in various forms. I wish I had found this first! It's encouraging rather than triggering and very easily applied.

[Sharon Burwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly Helpful

Loved how I was able to highlight and add notes for the information that specifically resonated with me. I feel prepared with techniques to help me when I am struggling.

[Miss GM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Realistic and practical. Lots of tools and sound therapeutic guidance from a professional and someone who has been through food and eating issues. Highly recommend.

[Adina Tudor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on audiobook and it was extremely interesting as a self-help read :)

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing!! I feel like this advice can be used in all aspects of our lives, not just eating.

[juicyD · Rating 3 out of 5]

first half was comforting but squishy while the second half jammed hard ass quotes one after another

[Emily Gabb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic - really looking forward to using the method

[timothy sprague · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Highly recommend this. Lots of insight, down to earth, no bull shit gimmicks or empty promises. Just things we have to really look at.

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfectly decent book - no doubt excellent for many people. I bought it when it was on sale years ago, out of interest, and it’s not really relevant to me. That’s on me, not the author/book.

[Jessica Koehn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book!!

[Amanda Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

If ever you are struggling with food, I absolutely recommend this book to change your perspective. ❤️

[John Goebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really appreciated her honesty that this is hard but doable. "Of course" "but" just two helpful phrases. Time to apply!

[Jackson D]

Dnf

[Csilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book on the topic that I actually found useful.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many incredibly helpful tools- I absolutely loved it. A great, great resource for people recovering from an eating disorder and trying to find freedom with food.

[Jörg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why do some people binge when they are not hungry? Why do some people ‘eat to live’ and others ‘live to eat’? Sarah Dosanjh explains all.

The psychology of binging is covered in the first half of the book and how restrictive diets make matters worse. In fact denying ourselves food has the opposite effect and can trigger a binge. The Ralic Method is explained later in the book. It's a mindful practise ending with an unrepressed decision to binge or not to binge.

The book is clear and well written. There's no jargon or buzzwords (Grrr. hate them). It’s not too long. I read the book in one day so you could say I enjoyed it.

The author Sarah Dosanjh is a professional eating disorder psychotherapist. She oozes compassion and understanding in her You Tube videos. She uses The Ralic Method herself as a former sufferer.

Listen to our bodies and find out their needs is the key message. Are our bodies nourished or our emotions suppressed by food? To stop fighting and accept ourselves as human beings with problems and flaws.

In conclusion It’s worth a read to anyone who uses food as a crutch. This isn't a diet book. In fact it's the opposite of diet. Yay!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A major plus is that the RALIC method she introduces is useful for many applications beyond overeating.