Blog

In the last blog, I talked about how food often represents something besides just food.  We're not always aware of this.  For example, people may say "I love food."  But is it really food that...

If you have used food to medicate your feelings or if your extra weight helps you feel safe, then you are using food as a metaphor. A metaphor describes one thing as if it were something else....

I used to believe that we must choose between science and reason on one hand, and spirituality on the other, in how we lead our lives.  Now I consider this a false choice.  We can...

The recent crisis in the Gulf brought to mind, as I'm sure it has for many, how we take care of our home.  The earth, our terrestrial home is under siege and it is heartbreaking...

A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry (Nov, 2009) studied middle aged people and their diets.  Their conclusion was:  "In middle-aged participants, a processed food dietary pattern is a risk factor for depression...

I don't usually share much about my personal eating plan.  Just like many of you, after menopause,  I struggled with my own weight.  Of more concern t me was my elevated cholesterol and family history...

As a physician specializing in eating disorders, I see many young women who first learned to dislike their bodies or learned to diet from women in their families, including their mothers.  When I speak with...

Why is this so important?  The National Institutes of Mental Health estimates that 3.5% of women and 2% of men have BED.  Binge eating disorder is more prevalent than anorexia or bulimia.  Sixty percent of...

In my consultations with individuals who are trying to lose weight, I often ask them, "why now?"  Many people are motivated to lose weight because of health problems that are affecting their quality of life. ...

Every year at this time, many people choose to make resolutions to lose weight, go on a diet, start an exercise program, get in better shape, etc.  Most of these resolutions fail.  Perhaps you're one...

A recent article in the Opinion section of the  New York TImes discussed the results from multiple studies about whether the mandatory posting of calories which is in effect in NYC has helped people to...

What were your experiences growing up around meal times?  A new study published in Science Direct by Annette S. Kluck from Texas Tech University found that family dysfunction and negative family food-related experiences increased risk...

Below is a link to a very interesting article that talks about how our genetic makeup is not fixed in stone and that alternative therapies have the ability to change our risks for health issues....

I've been reading lately about the energy of money and how we live in either scarcity or feelings of abundance.  I don't think this energy phenomenon applies only to money.  I think of my own...

Alcoholism is not an uncommon co-occuring disorder in those with eating disorders including binge eating disorder and compulsive overeating.  About one-third of women with an eating disorder will also have alcohol problems.  Up to 25%...

The Meaning of Weight You can’t walk by a magazine stand or watch any television without the subject of weight loss being brought up.  There is a multi-billion dollar industry in over-the-counter or “natural remedies”...

I am getting more and more questions about children who are struggling with their weight, their moods or with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.  Children are being put on very strong medications that have not been...

EmpowHer, the home of women’s health online, is a unique resource dedicated to improving women’s health and well-being. I was recently interviewed on the subjects: eating disorders, addictions, obesity.  See videos of these interviews at:...

Did you know that stress can promote weight gain by: If stress affects your sleep causing insomnia or unrefreshed sleep this can promote release of cortisol, the stress hormone which causes insulin resistance and weight...

My new book, The Binge Eating and Compulsive Overeating Workbook is threatening to take over my life.  I've been out promoting the book and feeling very proud of my accomplishment of spending 2 years with...