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tonireads's review against another edition
3.0
If you are a close friend of mine, you are aware that I have issues with my weight. The issue is I have too much of it right now. I know what I have to do and I pretty much know the reasons behind it, but, as an amateur information gatherer I have to read as much on the subject as possible. That need to know it all (and Oprah) led me to this book. In April there was a brief mention on The Oprah Winfrey Show about the book with a promise of a full show in May and in O, magazine there was an interview with Roth. Based on those two events (and other publicity, I'm sure), women started flocking into the store to buy it.
I have to say that I was not quite impressed with this book. Geneen Roth has written a lot about women and their emotional attachment to food, and while I haven't read any of her other books, I recognize her as somewhat of an expert on this subject. Women, Food and God, however, is nothing but a sort of recap of the seminars that she gives to help women identify and overcome their unhealthly relationships with food. And the "God" part? Not sure what that means. There was no mention of religion, or spirituality or drawing on something greater than yourself to help with any issues surrounding food.
The episode where Roth appears on Oprah is airing later this month and I will definitely watch it to see if there was something that I missed. In any case, I think that one of her other books, When Food Is Love, will probably be more helpful to those looking for a serious work on the subject.
I have to say that I was not quite impressed with this book. Geneen Roth has written a lot about women and their emotional attachment to food, and while I haven't read any of her other books, I recognize her as somewhat of an expert on this subject. Women, Food and God, however, is nothing but a sort of recap of the seminars that she gives to help women identify and overcome their unhealthly relationships with food. And the "God" part? Not sure what that means. There was no mention of religion, or spirituality or drawing on something greater than yourself to help with any issues surrounding food.
The episode where Roth appears on Oprah is airing later this month and I will definitely watch it to see if there was something that I missed. In any case, I think that one of her other books, When Food Is Love, will probably be more helpful to those looking for a serious work on the subject.
a56jml's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing book, really made you think about why we eat what we do...so glad I was discouraged by the "God" in the title, really not much about God in the book. Very enlightening, for a person who cynical about self-discovery/self-reflection it opened my eyes to why I do what I do.
kimreadz's review against another edition
This may not be the worst book I ever read, but it is definitely near the top. To be honest, though I tried, I could not get past page 112. I only read it because it was our book club selection for May, and I read enough to feel that I gave it a fair chance and could add to the discussion. When I first heard we were reading it, my thought was 'Not another Eat, Pray, Love!' (Another from my did not finish/worst book ever nomination). I was told it is not, but I'm not so sure. This book is classified as a self-help' book, but I think it could be as easily classified as a memoir. The author talks about her struggles with her weight and her journey to understand and love herself. She tells how she has overcome her battle with compulsive eating. I don't find that interesting but some people will, and that is fine.
My problem with her is that because SHE had these problems, she generalizes that EVERYONE has problems with compulsive eating (though she only addresses the book to women, perhaps assuming men won't be inclined to buy this type book anyway.) She feels she can analyze a person by looking at her plate; that she can tell you why you made the food choices you did. She believes that choosing a food 'because you like the way it tastes' is not ture and you need to figure out what hole you are trying to fill in your life with your food. To me, she comes across as arrogant and judgemental. The only right choices are the choices SHE would make. Much of what she says is just common sense; eat only when you are hungry, think about what you put on your plate, eat without distractions and taste every bite. As far I as I can find, after doing various searches on the internet, her only qualifications are that she has experiences weight changes and compulsive eating. I can't find any reference to a psychology degree, a nutrition or medical degree, or any other education that would qualify her to analyze others. She has however, written many books, and has apparently very good marketing skills. One example is the way she titles her book; 'Women, Food, and God'. Obviously, she is marketing this to women. But she is a bit misleading by including the word 'God' in her title. Most would assume there is some reference to prayer, or that spirituality is a major theme in the book. It is not! She actually states that she does not even believe in God.....or at least not 'God' in the sense that most will assume. I am not criticizing her beliefs. She is free to believe or disbelieve whatever she wishes. But her title is appealing to those who DO believe in 'GOD' in the normal use of the word.
I am not saying that no one will benefit from reading this book. I'm sure there are people who consider themselves compulsive eaters who will relate to, and maybe even learn from, this author's experiences. If this is you, I hope this book helps. But I think for most people, this book will be a waste of some good reading times and there are better books to invest your time and money in.
(By the way, her most recent book is 'Lost and Found: Unexpected Revelations About Food and Money' which tells about what she learned from losing her life savings in the Bernie Madoff scandal. Apparently she is now helping people with their finances.)
My problem with her is that because SHE had these problems, she generalizes that EVERYONE has problems with compulsive eating (though she only addresses the book to women, perhaps assuming men won't be inclined to buy this type book anyway.) She feels she can analyze a person by looking at her plate; that she can tell you why you made the food choices you did. She believes that choosing a food 'because you like the way it tastes' is not ture and you need to figure out what hole you are trying to fill in your life with your food. To me, she comes across as arrogant and judgemental. The only right choices are the choices SHE would make. Much of what she says is just common sense; eat only when you are hungry, think about what you put on your plate, eat without distractions and taste every bite. As far I as I can find, after doing various searches on the internet, her only qualifications are that she has experiences weight changes and compulsive eating. I can't find any reference to a psychology degree, a nutrition or medical degree, or any other education that would qualify her to analyze others. She has however, written many books, and has apparently very good marketing skills. One example is the way she titles her book; 'Women, Food, and God'. Obviously, she is marketing this to women. But she is a bit misleading by including the word 'God' in her title. Most would assume there is some reference to prayer, or that spirituality is a major theme in the book. It is not! She actually states that she does not even believe in God.....or at least not 'God' in the sense that most will assume. I am not criticizing her beliefs. She is free to believe or disbelieve whatever she wishes. But her title is appealing to those who DO believe in 'GOD' in the normal use of the word.
I am not saying that no one will benefit from reading this book. I'm sure there are people who consider themselves compulsive eaters who will relate to, and maybe even learn from, this author's experiences. If this is you, I hope this book helps. But I think for most people, this book will be a waste of some good reading times and there are better books to invest your time and money in.
(By the way, her most recent book is 'Lost and Found: Unexpected Revelations About Food and Money' which tells about what she learned from losing her life savings in the Bernie Madoff scandal. Apparently she is now helping people with their finances.)
westonculture's review against another edition
5.0
The best book I've read on women's relationship with food.
nessaloveszelda's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
paigenetting's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
ath13's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This is a non-fiction self-help book which I enjoyed. It discusses obsessive/binge eating and explored related themes. It was relatable, helpful and encouraging.
brookefradd's review against another edition
3.0
Don't read "God" in the title and expect this to be a spiritual book. Unless by spiritual you mean coming to know your true self.
Roth doesn't discuss her guidelines for eating in detail. Rather this book deals with her seminars and the emotions women often feel around food.
There is some food (ha!) for thought in this book, but I feel like the title is a bit misleading.
Roth doesn't discuss her guidelines for eating in detail. Rather this book deals with her seminars and the emotions women often feel around food.
There is some food (ha!) for thought in this book, but I feel like the title is a bit misleading.
barbc789's review against another edition
3.0
About our relationship with food, whether eating too much or too little. Made me notice the times I eat when I'm not hungry. As in other areas of life, being mindful is key.