19 Binge Eating Books You Must Read This Year
Disordered eating is a widespread issue that affects over 9% of people worldwide – and while I certainly don’t expect all of them to come to me for binge eating help, I want to be of assistance to them. That’s why I’ve put together a list of the 19 best binge eating books to read this year.
Buying binge eating books is a simultaneously gentle and powerful way to start your journey to health and food freedom. And, whether you feel out of control of your eating habits, can’t seem to stick to a diet, or aren’t happy by what you see in the mirror, there is a book on this list that can help.
Maybe one of these binge eating books will help you stop emotional eating, or help you to understand what a loved one is going through.
But how do you know if you need them? What is emotional eating, and how do you know if you are bingeing?
Let me briefly break down the difference between binge eating and emotional eating, and then present you with some options for binge eating help – including 19 of the best binge eating books available today.
What is emotional eating/binge eating?
Everyone emotionally eats. It’s when you use food for comfort when you are sad, bored, angry, or dealing with any difficult emotion. We can even emotionally eat when we celebrate!
But sometimes, that eating gets out of our control. If you find yourself regularly turning to food for comfort, and unable to stop eating until you hit the bottom of a bag or are uncomfortably full – then you’re dealing with bingeing.
What is binge eating? It’s eating a large quantity of food in a short period of time and then feeling shame about it afterwards. This usually happens when you diet and restrict and deny yourself sustenance. But binge eating can really take over your life and affect your physical and mental health.
If you are struggling with binge eating and don’t know how to stop, it might be time to reach out for binge eating help.
Why binge eating help is so important
If you’ve been struggling with weight fluctuations, negative self-talk and bingeing habits for years – it’s really hard to break out of the cycle on your own.
It is SO important to have support and resources to turn to on your journey, so you don’t get discouraged or slip back into old habits.
In order to successfully beat the binge, many people turn to nutritionists, emotional eating therapists or food freedom coaches. And I highly encourage you to find a professional to guide you on your path to food freedom.
Binge eating and emotional eating are powerful things, and sometimes we need words from outside ourselves to see clearly. If you’re not ready to seek out professional help, then these binge eating books are the next best thing.
My top two binge eating books
These are the binge eating books I will recommend again and again to anyone who will listen. They changed my life, and my outlook on eating, body and myself. I can only hope that they are as transformative for you.
1. Brain Over Binge – by Katheryn Hansen
Brain Over Binge is the gripping personal account of the author, Kathryn Hansen, on her experiences with bulimia and binge eating disorder. She candidly shares why traditional eating disorder therapy failed her – and continues to fail many others.
But this is a story with a happy ending.
Katheryn Hansen explains the alternative approach to recovery that DID work for her, and explains how the power of the brain and self-reliance can be the key to your own recovery.
2. Intuitive Eating – by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch
This is the book that started it all for many, and certainly the one that helped me turn my disordered eating around. At the time it first came out, it was revolutionary for its anti-diet approach to health.
Intuitive Eating is THE official book on the Intuitive Eating method that was created by the authors (registered dietician Evelyn Tribole and nutrition therapist Elyse Resch). It dives deep into the intuitive eating principles that can completely overhaul your relationship with food and self.
Intuitive eating (food freedom) helps you to free yourself from chronic dieting, make peace with food, rediscover the pleasure of eating, and build a healthy body image. The method teaches you how to listen to your own internal wisdom and cues of hunger, satisfaction and fullness.
If you are going to read just one of the binge eating books on my list, this should be it!
17 more binge eating books you should read this year
Here is a list of some of the best binge eating books and food freedom books on the market.
While I have not read all of them, they come highly recommended and have changed the lives of many.
Books on beating the binge
1. Overcoming Binge Eating by Christopher G. Fairburn
Overcoming Binge Eating helps you learn how to overcome the urge to binge, break free of strict dieting and establish stable, healthy eating patterns.
It not only focuses on gaining control over what and when you eat, but also on improving your body image and transforming your relationship with your body.
This book has been included in official lists for improving mental health, including the UK National Health Service Bibliotherapy Program.
2. Getting Better Bite by Bite by Ulrike Schmidt, Janet Treasure, & June Alexander
Getting Better Bite by Bite is an evidence-based self-help programme for those suffering from bulimia and binge eating habits. It provides encouragement and step-by-step guidance for change.
Books on emotional eating
3. The DBT Solution for Emotional Eating by Debra Safer, Sarah Adler & Phillip Mason
DBT stands for Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, which is what this book is grounded in. It is a compassionate self-help resource for anyone struggling with emotional eating and bingeing, and helps you learn to:
- Identify emotional triggers
- Find healthy ways to cope with uncomfortable feelings
- Release self-judgement
- Practice meaningful behavioural changes one simple step at a time
4. Breaking Free from Emotional Eating by Geneen Roth
Breaking Free from Emotional Eating provides a proven method for resolving issues at the root of overeating. In this book, you will learn to recognize signs of physical hunger, stop eating when you are full, eat without distraction and break free of the binge-diet cycle for good.
Books on eating mindfully
5. Mindful Eating by Jan Chozen Bays
Dr Jan Chozen Bays is a Zen teacher, here to show you how to develop healthy eating habits through mindfulness. Learn how to reclaim the joy and satisfaction of eating and discover what you’re really hungry for.
Whether you’re looking for binge eating books, or just want to get more out of life, Mindful Eating can change your relationship with food to one of delight.
6. Eat What You Love Love What You Eat by Michelle May M.D.
You don’t need to exercise to earn the right to eat. Do away with restrictive rules and rediscover when, what and how much to eat through gentle nutrition and mindful eating practices.
Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat imparts how physician Michelle May gave up twenty years of yo-yo dieting and broke free of the eat-repent-repeat cycle. This book focuses on the health of body, mind, heart and spirit – so you can be a better you.
7. Eat to Love by Jenna Hollenstein
In Eat to Love, nutritionist Jenna Hollenstein provides us with a joyful, non-diet approach to mindfulness, intuitive eating, and falling in love with our bodies.
Eat to Love challenges the diet culture and teaches you to reset your relationship with food into one that is enriching, liberating and nourishing.
8. Big Girl by Kelsey Miller
Big Girl is a lot of laughs and lessons rolled up into a gem of a book. This is the memoir of Kelsey Miller, the woman who has tried every diet in the book and hit rock bottom.
Through the pages, you will learn of her journey with intuitive eating to change from self-loathing to self-love. This book is an ode to anyone with body dysmorphia, unhealthy eating habits, and dysfunctional families – it is an inspiration.
Books on the anti-diet
9. The F*ck It Diet by Caroline Dooner
Are you tired of diets that don’t work? Then give them up!
The F*ck It Diet is a hilarious must-read for any chronic dieter. From comedian and ex-diet junkie Caroline Dooner comes a book that explains why DIETING DOESN’T WORK and why it’s not your fault.
The F*ck It Diet attacks the diet culture, and offers an alternative path to physical and mental wellbeing. Ready to give up the shame and start thriving? Then dive right in.
10. If Not Dieting, Then What? by Rick Kausmann
Here is your non-nonsense guide to the medical reasons why diets don’t work and the tools you need to stop obsessing over your weight.
Rick Kausmann explains how weight-loss treatments can actually harm your long-term physical and psychological health, and provides an alternative mindset for actual wellbeing.
Books on self-love
11. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
You Are a Badass is as entertaining as it is inspiring. Jen Sincero is a success coach who is here with wisdom and easy exercises to help you stop sabotaging yourself!
By the end of You Are a Badass, you’ll understand why you are how you are, how to love what you can’t change, and how to change what you don’t love.
12. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
The Gifts of Imperfection will change your outlook on life. It will bolster your self-esteem and personal development and help you embrace your perfectly imperfect life.
13. The Body Is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
The Body Is Not an Apology invites you to let go of shame and embrace radical self-love. By the time you’re done with this book, you may even feel inspired to awaken self-love in others and dismantle the systems that perpetuate body shame and oppression.
Books on loving your body exactly the way it is
14. Body Positive Power by Megan Jayne Crabbe
Body Positive Power is one of the most comprehensive books on body politics out there. Megan challenges the idea that one type of body is ‘ideal’ and pushes to create a world where ALL bodies are celebrated and respected. If you want to be inspired and uplifted, Megan is your gal.
15. Making Peace With Food by Susan Kano
If you’re ready to give up obsessing about food and the weight of your body, then Making Peace With Food is the book for you. This is a step-by-step guide that can help you overcome guilt and anxieties about food and body image and help you beat the binge.
This book is NOT about losing weight or dieting – it’s about learning to love your body exactly where it’s at.
16. Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster
Jen Lancaster is a controversial author. Not everyone understands her bold humour, her politics or the way she can cuss like a sailor, but she will certainly help you laugh at her – and at yourself!
Such a Pretty Fat is hilarious and incredibly motivating. It is Jen’s coming of age tale as she learns to accept her body just the way it is. Be forewarned, if you read this in public you may just burst out laughing.
17. Health at Every Size by Linda Bacon
Health at Every Size is a revolutionary book (and programme) that challenges the society-held belief that fatness is unhealthy.
We believe we need to be thin to be healthy. Even our doctors tell us that. But it’s a lie, and it stems from fatphobia.
What is fatphobia? It’s the fear of being fat, or even being associated with fat people – and it has invaded every system of society from the school to the restaurant to the doctor’s office.
But fat isn’t the problem. Dieting is the problem.
Health at Every Size is a programme that is research-based, scientifically-backed and government-funded. A programme that shows you you can be healthy no matter your weight so long as you take care of your body inside and out.
This book shows you how.
Binge eating books not enough?
I’m here to help.
I tried every diet in the book and was miserable in my body. Nothing I did was ever good enough – until I found food & body freedom. And I would love to help you find food freedom too. Please reach out for a quick chat about emotional eating or binge eating help.
When you’re ready to transform your relationship with your body and food, and truly begin to listen to your body and what it needs, you can start by joining my FREE FB Group here.
