Breaking the Food Seduction: The Hidden Reasons Behind Food Cravings--And 7 Steps to End Them Naturally

Lots of great recipes

For me, it all comes down to oatmeal.But first you have the name of the book: Breaking the Food Seduction. It sounds a little goofy at first, like a cover blurb on a checkout stand magazine. But Dr. Barnard has a real point: the reason it's so hard to resist, say, chocolate, or cheese, or (for me) that doughnut, has nothing to do with willpower. It's chemistry. We literally become "addicted" to the physical effects of components of these foods, and that leads us to crave them. It's nothing like a hardcore drug addiction of course, but it's real.Dr. Barnard is careful to cite the sources of all his conclusions, although I ding him one star for occasionally leaving it unclear that trace amounts of certain chemicals found in foods are enough to have the effects that he attributes to them.Still, this is a quibble at only a couple of points in the book. And you can't argue with Dr. Barnard's findings that by making certain food choices, one can actually reduce the urge to eat unhealthy foods. And that making those choices leads to real results -- in terms of blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and plain old weight loss. The dietary changes he suggests aren't too far fetched for someone like me, who is already a vegetarian, but he does recommend major changes for those who usually enjoy eating meat.Breaking the Food Seduction includes a kick-start plan, to help the reader dive in and make those dietary changes. There is also a sizable selection of healthy recipes. These come courtesy of Joanne Stepaniak, herself the author of several cookbooks. I've tried a few of the recipes, with uniformly good results.But, as I said initially, it all comes down to oatmeal. For me, one paragraph alone was worth the price of the book. In that paragraph, Dr. Barnard tells us to ignore the instructions on oatmeal packages. He gives us a better way to prepare it. And -- voila -- now I like oatmeal, and I haven't looked back since!

I've always struggled with sugary treat addiction! Cakes, cookies, ice cream and chocolate goodies. Not eating because I was hungry but for entertainment instead. I would trick myself into thinking I could have just a couple of cookies or one piece of cake and work it off later . . . . three cookies turned into a dozen. A piece of cake turned into half a cake. Then I didn't feel like working out later but instead have some more cake or make more cookies. Spiral down from there . . . . till I gained 20-25 lbs and had to buy new pants. After a few months I would feel disgusted with myself and go on a diet and work out obsessively until I lost some weight. Then the cycle would start again. Now that I've lost a few lbs I can have some cookies again. Aaaaahhh!!!!!! NO!!! What I learned in this book is how these things effect the brain and it's nothing to do with will power. Why tease myself with trying to have just a little of a treat which affected my body like a drug? Don't eat it at all and you won't crave it! I have been eating all the fruits, vegetables and complex carbs I want and feel full and satisfied. And, losing weight! It is so easy to maintain and lose weight just by not eating those sugary treats at all. It's like a weight has lifted from my shoulders. Especially when I think about how those foods made me feel after eating them. Guilty as hell and depressed only to eat more of it and continue the vicious cycle. This book has helped me tremendously and also provides some great recipes in the back!

This low rating is not because of the books content. It is great. However it is due to my kindle version. I got to a certain point in the book and the section just keeps repeating over and over. I can go no farther in the book. I am very disappointed. I have never had a problem with my kindle like this. I don't know what to do.This is an addendum written the day after my first review. I don't know if the Kindle elves fixed the problem or the fact that I downloaded the item again did it but my problem is fixed. So no technical issues now.I love this book. I can finally see, step by step, how to convert to this lifestyle. Because let me tell you, I was feeling totally overwhelmed with the enormity (I thought) of doing it all at once. But the way Dr. Barnard breaks it down, it seems totally doable. His writing style is comfortable and even funny at times, like you are having a conversation with a favorite doctor. I totally recommend this book and thanks Dr. Barnard for writing it.

I ordered this book a long time ago and just never got around to reading it until recently. Boy, I wish I had read it earlier. After developing a number of health conditions (e.g.,joint pains, acid reflux, sleeping difficulties, chronic tiredness, frequent UTIs), I happened to read this book and started following the most of the advice given by Neal D. Barnard. It has made a real difference in the way I feel. I recommend this book to anyone who is starting to feel old beyond his/her age. I would have given it 5 stars but I felt it was could have had more suggestions for those who lead a busy life and don't have time to spend so much time in the kitchen. I didn't follow the advice completely, "falling off the wagon", so to speak, on special occasions, but the modifications I made to my eating habits still helped so much.

An interesting read. Explains a lot!It's very difficult to get beyond the spin of organisations and individuals with an "interest" in what they are publicising. This book breaks through some of the tall tales we've been told for years.

Great man great book

Neal Barnard is on of my favourite Authors. His books are enjoyable to read and I feel I can trust what he puts forward, partly because of his sources and partly because of the logic he always applies without bias.

Wonderfully written and very astute, I wish everybody would read this - has made a big difference to my nutrition and health. Better than expected.

Bought this book for my mum and she's loving it