Food Addiction: The Body Knows: Revised & Expanded Edition by Kay Sheppard

I have struggled with compulsive eating for as long as I can remember. I have tried the "eat only when you're hungry" plan prescribed for compulsive overeaters, as well as just about every diet you can name, only to find my self-destructive behavior worse than before. And then, I found this book. Admittedly, when I first read the prescribed road to recovery, I was none too thrilled. In the beginning, I assure you, it's tough. But the rewards are so far and beyond your wildest dreams, I can't even begin to explain. In ten weeks I lost 25 pounds as a side effect of the recovery process. The weight loss, though quite welcome, has not been the true blessing of recovery. It has been my ability to think about things other than food, to release my feelings of inferiority, of weakness, of shame.The program emphasizes the importance of support from friends, family members, and eating disorder groups. I recovered in a foreign country with a different language where I had NO ONE. No friends, no family, no nothing. If you are blessed with the support of loved ones, I promise you will succeed. I was able to kick a disease that breeds in isolation while I was all alone. And if I could do it, anyone can. Buy this book and take what Kay has to say to heart. Her advice has forever changed my life.

After trying (and failing) for years to lose weight with Weight Watchers and dieting, I had almost concluded that significant weight loss was for me, not possible. Then I was introduced to the principles of Kay Sheppard's food regimen, and in four months, lost 30 pounds. I am still losing, and for the first time, without having to fight feelings of deprivation and those terrible food cravings. If this is a diet, it is the easiest and most effective diet I have ever been on. My friends and family are amazed.There are two major aspects of Sheppard's food regimen: (1) the physiological aspects of food addiction that derive from low blood sugar due to a hypoglycemic response to flour and sugar in the diet, which is what causes the food cravings and binging, and (2) the moral, spiritual and pyschological support needed to get through the early withdrawal phase, and for many, to stay in recovery.Sheppard mentions support organizations like Overaters Anonymous and Food Addicts Anonymous, which provide sponsors, information, and moral support for the morbidly obese and other food addicts. I have personally met several individuals in such organizations who have lost over 100 pounds (one young woman had lost 150 pounds)with the result that their lives had turned around and their health restored. The reviewer below who reports that she failed in this food program should try again, this time with a sponsor and an organization to help her.If you have a significant weight problem or eating disorder, read Kay Sheppard's book. It will be the first step on your road to recovery.

7/13/00 I am a 48 year old female who was overweight all of my adult life. I tried a "zillion" diets, and lost weight, but could not keep it off. This book helped me to understand how food addiction affected me and what I could do that would help me live with this "eating disorder". My highest weight topped the scales at 250 pounds. I lost 40 pounds on another diet, but quickly regained 20 pounds shortly after. I was ready to try this new way of eating. It was a challege at first as I had to read labels alot. But the results were instantanious. My life completly changed almost immediately. My chronic depression lifted, and how I see myself and the world has completly changed. I am a different person inside and out. I am happy despite the difficult life I'd had. I've also lost 55 pounds in 8 1/2 months just following this wonderful, healthy, fully satisfying food plan. I can live with this food plan the rest of my life - I do not feel deprived of the foods I've had to give up. I am also involved in 12 step recovery work with Overeaters Annonymous which has also helped tremendously. I've gotten tons of support from them. Also, I can't tell you how many people have asked me how I did this - everyday someone makes a comment about the weight I've lost. This is no gimic. My physical aliments have improved dramatically (decrease in lower back pain, relief from arthritis pain in my knee and foot), and I am so much more alert and focused than I have ever been. I used to think I had attention deficet. I don't believe that anymore - I was in a "food fog" before I started this healthy way of eating. I will never go back to my old way of dealing with lifes challenges - I don't eat over them anymore.

I have tried every diet known to man. I have lost and gained so many times that I have lost count. This is the first plan that has been a tremendous success for me. I have lost 28 pounds in less than three months and I feel free from food. There are no cravings for me to overcome, it is the easiest thing (foodwise) that I have ever done. I find myself now enjoying the fruit and vegetable section of the grocery store more than I enjoyed the cookie, candy and frozen ice cream aisle.I no longer constantly think about food as I did before, I just eat when it is mealtime and that's it. I have had absolutely no desire to not follow the plan and no hunger and everyone I tell about Kay Sheppard says it would be too hard to give up wheat, I tell them try for one day and see, it is so easy and I don't miss it one bit. This is the best gift I have ever gotten in my life and I thank God every day for Kay Sheppard. Thanks for listening

I never knew what was wrong with me until I read this book. I always struggled with food, and have been a compulsive overeater my whole life. This book gave me the courage to stop eating compulsively. I now enjoy freedom from the grips of sugar and flour products, and no longer think about food on a minute by minute basis. I am maintaining a 90lb weight loss, and feel wonderful. Thank you Kay Sheppard!