Overeating is often thought of as a lack of will power, nutrition knowledge, or access to healthy foods. This approach is often unsuccessful, or only successful short term, because of the truth that psychology of eating expert Karen Koenig confronts head-on: People often misuse food because they don't know how to manage life any other way.
Of course food doesn't really help anyone cope with stress, sadness, or fear, but in the moment it can blot out those real issues with pleasure and comfort. As Koenig shifts the focus away from food and onto life skills, readers learn, perhaps for the first time, to establish and maintain functional relationships, take care of themselves physically and emotionally, think rationally, and create a passionate and meaningful life. When these behaviors are in place, behaviors that become automatic over time, food again becomes what it is - simply one of life's many pleasures.
