What do you think?
A Guide to the Psychology of Eating
Why are spicy cuisines characteristic of hot climates? Does our stomach or our brain tell us when it is time to eat? And how do we decide if bugs are food? Employing a learner-centered approach, this introduction to the psychological mechanisms of consumption engages readers with questions and cross-cultural examples to promote critical analysis and evidence-based comprehension.
The discipline of psychology provides an important perspective to the study of eating, given the remarkable complexity of our food environments (including society and culture), eating habits, and relationships with food. As everything psychological is simultaneously biological, the role of evolutionary pressures and biopsychological forces are bases to explore complex processes within the book, such as sensation and perception, learning and cognition, and human development. The authors illuminate contemporary eating topics, including the scope and consequences of overnutrition, the aetiology of eating disorders, societal focus on dieting and body image, controversies in food policy, and culture-inspired cuisine. Supplemental resources and exercises are provided in a pedagogically-focused companion website.
The discipline of psychology provides an important perspective to the study of eating, given the remarkable complexity of our food environments (including society and culture), eating habits, and relationships with food. As everything psychological is simultaneously biological, the role of evolutionary pressures and biopsychological forces are bases to explore complex processes within the book, such as sensation and perception, learning and cognition, and human development. The authors illuminate contemporary eating topics, including the scope and consequences of overnutrition, the aetiology of eating disorders, societal focus on dieting and body image, controversies in food policy, and culture-inspired cuisine. Supplemental resources and exercises are provided in a pedagogically-focused companion website.
384 pages, Paperback
Published January 13, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 2, 2024
Please note:
Content about food, psychology and psychopathology: 5/5
Progressive issues: -avoid-
If there could be a way to -eliminate- the progressive content that in some pages the authors mention, the book would be perfect. Unfortunately, the Social Justice Scholarship WAS BORN IN ACADEMIA.
The progressive issues are the following, among others:
- Critical Race Theory/White studies-
"The modern environment if often stressful, whether it be daily hassles and time pressure, or more significant traumas, economic inequality, and SYSTEMIC RACISM"
Come on. We got Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, literally crapping money, some of them saying that there's no such thing as "systemic racism" (Lil Wayne said this in an interview), but somehow, eating salad is racist, and saying that charcoal is "black" is racist, and "diets" are, obviously "white supremacy" and "cis-heternormative" stuff. We need to eliminate everything related to the bibliography of Ibram X. Kendi, or BLM movements that really have proven to be "machines of creating money" for just a few.
-Microaggressions-
The thing with this, is that microaggressions are a way you can harm of offend someone, and it lacks "intentionality" by definition. That means that whether you wanted to or not, it is YOUR FAULT to having done that harm. You are always the oppressor. You are always the one to blame. And it gets worse: if you are white, male, and Christian, you cannot give your opinion on anything. You are what is wrong with the world.
-Fat studies-
Well. I know that being obese is not something to make fun it. Although, human beings NATURALLY react aversively to people that look morbid. We know, our cerebral wiring KNOWS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT. There's more to that, evolutionary psychology and the mating market. Body positivity movements failed because they deny human nature. Victoria's Secret is hiring AGAIN women that do not look obese. Why? Well, grab a book on evolutionary psychology.
I also noted that the definition they gave to "overnutrition" was the same as obesity. I think they want us to use the word "overnutrition" instead of "obesity". You know, it is offensive.
-Postcolonialism-
Well, ancient knowledge is way better that whatever the fuck you a majoring in.
Too bad.
-Trigger warnings-
Remember, there are trigger warnings FOR trigger warnings. In chapter 10, on psychopathologies, there's a trigger warning for this. A FUCKING PSYCHOLOGY BOOK.
Jonathan Haidt mentions something great on "trigger warnings". To resume, they are not a good thing.
-Social Justice Scholarship/Activism-
"Food and eating provide ample opportunities for the pursuit of social justice".
Do I really need to explain more?
"Addressing complex issues in our food system requires individual attention to the psychological forces at play with civic responsibility to question the status quo".
This means "we need more activists". The Latin expression "status quo" is widely used in everything related to "revolutionary acts". You can easily find this in Marxist papers, from Judith Butler to Ernesto Daclau.
-Anti Western/Capitalism to blame-
"Focus on discussion of food security/insecurity alone downplays the exploitation and subsequent hunger caused by contemporary capitalism and neoliberal trade policies".
Come on. The only thing that manages to put food on the table is trade. We did this way back, even before agriculture. "Neoliberal policies" is another word excessively used by socialists. I can't go on to explain more on this. I’m reading this is in a "food psychology" book. Why?
"The desire to learn from an exotic other can come from a place of privilege unique to Western colonizing societies".
Believe it or not, there are many paragraphs concerning "reparations" and "cultural appropriation". You are a chef, or probably, you like to cook. If you are not Lebanese, and wanted to cook a shawarma/kebab/tabule salad, well, you can't. You are "appropriating" that culture.
So, if you eat or like curry, well, cannot do that.
Planning to open a restaurant? Hell no. You need to pay for what you did. You must pay for reparations for the place where you are, ancient indigenous soil, using "exotic" plants for your benefit. You are a bad person.
It really makes me sad. Just like when I read a book on evolutionary medicine, please note, EVOLUTIONARY MEDICINE, and it said that MEN CAN GET PREGNANT. I can't go on.
The authors go on paragraphs in moments where technical issues are no longer explained. This happens a lot on the last chapters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well. Having said that, I need to say that SJ issues put aside, the contents are amazing.
I wish they have included a bit about the evolutionary method for psychopathology detection, by Marco del Giudice, called the FSD System (fast, slow and defense spectrum).
Going to the supermarket is no longer the same after reading this book. is AMAZING: Explanations about:
why you get hungry
why do you feel hunger at certain times
food and compositions of it
Veganism/animal rights
neurobiology
biopsychology
psychopathology
cognitive biases (to me one of the most important things of the book)
I'd recommend reading Michael Pollan's "The omnivore's dilemma".
Are easily explained in it. Believe me, going to the supermarket is no longer the same. Food is what keeps us alive. We eat every day. We are made of carbon, we have metabolism, we crave food, we fight for resources, we work to earn money and buy food; food is also a social issue, it binds people, it is not even deprived to criminals in jails, food can be considered, our most cherished daily goal. Christ multiplied bread and fish, Greeks wrote a lot on it, and at times food create culture. To me, it can be one of the most important books, putting all that shitty SJW things aside.
Content about food, psychology and psychopathology: 5/5
Progressive issues: -avoid-
If there could be a way to -eliminate- the progressive content that in some pages the authors mention, the book would be perfect. Unfortunately, the Social Justice Scholarship WAS BORN IN ACADEMIA.
The progressive issues are the following, among others:
- Critical Race Theory/White studies-
"The modern environment if often stressful, whether it be daily hassles and time pressure, or more significant traumas, economic inequality, and SYSTEMIC RACISM"
Come on. We got Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, literally crapping money, some of them saying that there's no such thing as "systemic racism" (Lil Wayne said this in an interview), but somehow, eating salad is racist, and saying that charcoal is "black" is racist, and "diets" are, obviously "white supremacy" and "cis-heternormative" stuff. We need to eliminate everything related to the bibliography of Ibram X. Kendi, or BLM movements that really have proven to be "machines of creating money" for just a few.
-Microaggressions-
The thing with this, is that microaggressions are a way you can harm of offend someone, and it lacks "intentionality" by definition. That means that whether you wanted to or not, it is YOUR FAULT to having done that harm. You are always the oppressor. You are always the one to blame. And it gets worse: if you are white, male, and Christian, you cannot give your opinion on anything. You are what is wrong with the world.
-Fat studies-
Well. I know that being obese is not something to make fun it. Although, human beings NATURALLY react aversively to people that look morbid. We know, our cerebral wiring KNOWS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT. There's more to that, evolutionary psychology and the mating market. Body positivity movements failed because they deny human nature. Victoria's Secret is hiring AGAIN women that do not look obese. Why? Well, grab a book on evolutionary psychology.
I also noted that the definition they gave to "overnutrition" was the same as obesity. I think they want us to use the word "overnutrition" instead of "obesity". You know, it is offensive.
-Postcolonialism-
Well, ancient knowledge is way better that whatever the fuck you a majoring in.
Too bad.
-Trigger warnings-
Remember, there are trigger warnings FOR trigger warnings. In chapter 10, on psychopathologies, there's a trigger warning for this. A FUCKING PSYCHOLOGY BOOK.
Jonathan Haidt mentions something great on "trigger warnings". To resume, they are not a good thing.
-Social Justice Scholarship/Activism-
"Food and eating provide ample opportunities for the pursuit of social justice".
Do I really need to explain more?
"Addressing complex issues in our food system requires individual attention to the psychological forces at play with civic responsibility to question the status quo".
This means "we need more activists". The Latin expression "status quo" is widely used in everything related to "revolutionary acts". You can easily find this in Marxist papers, from Judith Butler to Ernesto Daclau.
-Anti Western/Capitalism to blame-
"Focus on discussion of food security/insecurity alone downplays the exploitation and subsequent hunger caused by contemporary capitalism and neoliberal trade policies".
Come on. The only thing that manages to put food on the table is trade. We did this way back, even before agriculture. "Neoliberal policies" is another word excessively used by socialists. I can't go on to explain more on this. I’m reading this is in a "food psychology" book. Why?
"The desire to learn from an exotic other can come from a place of privilege unique to Western colonizing societies".
Believe it or not, there are many paragraphs concerning "reparations" and "cultural appropriation". You are a chef, or probably, you like to cook. If you are not Lebanese, and wanted to cook a shawarma/kebab/tabule salad, well, you can't. You are "appropriating" that culture.
So, if you eat or like curry, well, cannot do that.
Planning to open a restaurant? Hell no. You need to pay for what you did. You must pay for reparations for the place where you are, ancient indigenous soil, using "exotic" plants for your benefit. You are a bad person.
It really makes me sad. Just like when I read a book on evolutionary medicine, please note, EVOLUTIONARY MEDICINE, and it said that MEN CAN GET PREGNANT. I can't go on.
The authors go on paragraphs in moments where technical issues are no longer explained. This happens a lot on the last chapters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well. Having said that, I need to say that SJ issues put aside, the contents are amazing.
I wish they have included a bit about the evolutionary method for psychopathology detection, by Marco del Giudice, called the FSD System (fast, slow and defense spectrum).
Going to the supermarket is no longer the same after reading this book. is AMAZING: Explanations about:
why you get hungry
why do you feel hunger at certain times
food and compositions of it
Veganism/animal rights
neurobiology
biopsychology
psychopathology
cognitive biases (to me one of the most important things of the book)
I'd recommend reading Michael Pollan's "The omnivore's dilemma".
Are easily explained in it. Believe me, going to the supermarket is no longer the same. Food is what keeps us alive. We eat every day. We are made of carbon, we have metabolism, we crave food, we fight for resources, we work to earn money and buy food; food is also a social issue, it binds people, it is not even deprived to criminals in jails, food can be considered, our most cherished daily goal. Christ multiplied bread and fish, Greeks wrote a lot on it, and at times food create culture. To me, it can be one of the most important books, putting all that shitty SJW things aside.
September 23, 2025
Please note:
Content about food, psychology and psychopathology: 5/5
Progressive issues: -avoid-
If there could be a way to -eliminate- the progressive content that in some pages the authors mention, the book would be perfect. Unfortunately, the Social Justice Scholarship WAS BORN IN ACADEMIA.
The progressive issues are the following, among others:
- Critical Race Theory/White studies-
"The modern environment if often stressful, whether it be daily hassles and time pressure, or more significant traumas, economic inequality, and SYSTEMIC RACISM"
Come on. We got Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, literally crapping money, some of them saying that there's no such thing as "systemic racism" (Lil Wayne said this in an interview), but somehow, eating salad is racist, and saying that charcoal is "black" is racist, and "diets" are, obviously "white supremacy" and "cis-heternormative" stuff. We need to eliminate everything related to the bibliography of Ibram X. Kendi, or BLM movements that really have proven to be "machines of creating money" for just a few.
-Microaggressions-
The thing with this, is that microaggressions are a way you can harm of offend someone, and it lacks "intentionality" by definition. That means that whether you wanted to or not, it is YOUR FAULT to having done that harm. You are always the oppressor. You are always the one to blame. And it gets worse: if you are white, male, and Christian, you cannot give your opinion on anything. You are what is wrong with the world.
-Fat studies-
Well. I know that being obese is not something to make fun it. Although, human beings NATURALLY react aversively to people that look morbid. We know, our cerebral wiring KNOWS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT. There's more to that, evolutionary psychology and the mating market. Body positivity movements failed because they deny human nature. Victoria's Secret is hiring AGAIN women that do not look obese. Why? Well, grab a book on evolutionary psychology.
I also noted that the definition they gave to "overnutrition" was the same as obesity. I think they want us to use the word "overnutrition" instead of "obesity". You know, it is offensive.
-Postcolonialism-
Well, ancient knowledge is way better that whatever the fuck you a majoring in.
Too bad.
-Trigger warnings-
Remember, there are trigger warnings FOR trigger warnings. In chapter 10, on psychopathologies, there's a trigger warning for this. A FUCKING PSYCHOLOGY BOOK.
Jonathan Haidt mentions something great on "trigger warnings". To resume, they are not a good thing.
-Social Justice Scholarship/Activism-
"Food and eating provide ample opportunities for the pursuit of social justice".
Do I really need to explain more?
"Addressing complex issues in our food system requires individual attention to the psychological forces at play with civic responsibility to question the status quo".
This means "we need more activists". The Latin expression "status quo" is widely used in everything related to "revolutionary acts". You can easily find this in Marxist papers, from Judith Butler to Ernesto Daclau.
-Anti Western/Capitalism to blame-
"Focus on discussion of food security/insecurity alone downplays the exploitation and subsequent hunger caused by contemporary capitalism and neoliberal trade policies".
Come on. The only thing that manages to put food on the table is trade. We did this way back, even before agriculture. "Neoliberal policies" is another word excessively used by socialists. I can't go on to explain more on this. I’m reading this is in a "food psychology" book. Why?
"The desire to learn from an exotic other can come from a place of privilege unique to Western colonizing societies".
Believe it or not, there are many paragraphs concerning "reparations" and "cultural appropriation". You are a chef, or probably, you like to cook. If you are not Lebanese, and wanted to cook a shawarma/kebab/tabule salad, well, you can't. You are "appropriating" that culture.
So, if you eat or like curry, well, cannot do that.
Planning to open a restaurant? Hell no. You need to pay for what you did. You must pay for reparations for the place where you are, ancient indigenous soil, using "exotic" plants for your benefit. You are a bad person.
It really makes me sad. Just like when I read a book on evolutionary medicine, please note, EVOLUTIONARY MEDICINE, and it said that MEN CAN GET PREGNANT. I can't go on.
The authors go on paragraphs in moments where technical issues are no longer explained. This happens a lot on the last chapters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well. Having said that, I need to say that SJ issues put aside, the contents are amazing.
I wish they have included a bit about the evolutionary method for psychopathology detection, by Marco del Giudice, called the FSD System (fast, slow and defense spectrum).
Going to the supermarket is no longer the same after reading this book. is AMAZING: Explanations about:
why you get hungry
why do you feel hunger at certain times
food and compositions of it
Veganism/animal rights
neurobiology
biopsychology
psychopathology
cognitive biases (to me one of the most important things of the book)
I'd recommend reading Michael Pollan's "The omnivore's dilemma".
Are easily explained in it. Believe me, going to the supermarket is no longer the same. Food is what keeps us alive. We eat every day. We are made of carbon, we have metabolism, we crave food, we fight for resources, we work to earn money and buy food; food is also a social issue, it binds people, it is not even deprived to criminals in jails, food can be considered, our most cherished daily goal. Christ multiplied bread and fish, Greeks wrote a lot on it, and at times food create culture. To me, it can be one of the most important books, putting all that shitty SJW things aside.
Content about food, psychology and psychopathology: 5/5
Progressive issues: -avoid-
If there could be a way to -eliminate- the progressive content that in some pages the authors mention, the book would be perfect. Unfortunately, the Social Justice Scholarship WAS BORN IN ACADEMIA.
The progressive issues are the following, among others:
- Critical Race Theory/White studies-
"The modern environment if often stressful, whether it be daily hassles and time pressure, or more significant traumas, economic inequality, and SYSTEMIC RACISM"
Come on. We got Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, literally crapping money, some of them saying that there's no such thing as "systemic racism" (Lil Wayne said this in an interview), but somehow, eating salad is racist, and saying that charcoal is "black" is racist, and "diets" are, obviously "white supremacy" and "cis-heternormative" stuff. We need to eliminate everything related to the bibliography of Ibram X. Kendi, or BLM movements that really have proven to be "machines of creating money" for just a few.
-Microaggressions-
The thing with this, is that microaggressions are a way you can harm of offend someone, and it lacks "intentionality" by definition. That means that whether you wanted to or not, it is YOUR FAULT to having done that harm. You are always the oppressor. You are always the one to blame. And it gets worse: if you are white, male, and Christian, you cannot give your opinion on anything. You are what is wrong with the world.
-Fat studies-
Well. I know that being obese is not something to make fun it. Although, human beings NATURALLY react aversively to people that look morbid. We know, our cerebral wiring KNOWS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT. There's more to that, evolutionary psychology and the mating market. Body positivity movements failed because they deny human nature. Victoria's Secret is hiring AGAIN women that do not look obese. Why? Well, grab a book on evolutionary psychology.
I also noted that the definition they gave to "overnutrition" was the same as obesity. I think they want us to use the word "overnutrition" instead of "obesity". You know, it is offensive.
-Postcolonialism-
Well, ancient knowledge is way better that whatever the fuck you a majoring in.
Too bad.
-Trigger warnings-
Remember, there are trigger warnings FOR trigger warnings. In chapter 10, on psychopathologies, there's a trigger warning for this. A FUCKING PSYCHOLOGY BOOK.
Jonathan Haidt mentions something great on "trigger warnings". To resume, they are not a good thing.
-Social Justice Scholarship/Activism-
"Food and eating provide ample opportunities for the pursuit of social justice".
Do I really need to explain more?
"Addressing complex issues in our food system requires individual attention to the psychological forces at play with civic responsibility to question the status quo".
This means "we need more activists". The Latin expression "status quo" is widely used in everything related to "revolutionary acts". You can easily find this in Marxist papers, from Judith Butler to Ernesto Daclau.
-Anti Western/Capitalism to blame-
"Focus on discussion of food security/insecurity alone downplays the exploitation and subsequent hunger caused by contemporary capitalism and neoliberal trade policies".
Come on. The only thing that manages to put food on the table is trade. We did this way back, even before agriculture. "Neoliberal policies" is another word excessively used by socialists. I can't go on to explain more on this. I’m reading this is in a "food psychology" book. Why?
"The desire to learn from an exotic other can come from a place of privilege unique to Western colonizing societies".
Believe it or not, there are many paragraphs concerning "reparations" and "cultural appropriation". You are a chef, or probably, you like to cook. If you are not Lebanese, and wanted to cook a shawarma/kebab/tabule salad, well, you can't. You are "appropriating" that culture.
So, if you eat or like curry, well, cannot do that.
Planning to open a restaurant? Hell no. You need to pay for what you did. You must pay for reparations for the place where you are, ancient indigenous soil, using "exotic" plants for your benefit. You are a bad person.
It really makes me sad. Just like when I read a book on evolutionary medicine, please note, EVOLUTIONARY MEDICINE, and it said that MEN CAN GET PREGNANT. I can't go on.
The authors go on paragraphs in moments where technical issues are no longer explained. This happens a lot on the last chapters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well. Having said that, I need to say that SJ issues put aside, the contents are amazing.
I wish they have included a bit about the evolutionary method for psychopathology detection, by Marco del Giudice, called the FSD System (fast, slow and defense spectrum).
Going to the supermarket is no longer the same after reading this book. is AMAZING: Explanations about:
why you get hungry
why do you feel hunger at certain times
food and compositions of it
Veganism/animal rights
neurobiology
biopsychology
psychopathology
cognitive biases (to me one of the most important things of the book)
I'd recommend reading Michael Pollan's "The omnivore's dilemma".
Are easily explained in it. Believe me, going to the supermarket is no longer the same. Food is what keeps us alive. We eat every day. We are made of carbon, we have metabolism, we crave food, we fight for resources, we work to earn money and buy food; food is also a social issue, it binds people, it is not even deprived to criminals in jails, food can be considered, our most cherished daily goal. Christ multiplied bread and fish, Greeks wrote a lot on it, and at times food create culture. To me, it can be one of the most important books, putting all that shitty SJW things aside.
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