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Eat Your Feelings: The Food Mood Girl's Guide to Transforming Your Emotional Eating

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Lindsey Smith, The Food Mood Girl, shows how you can transform your lifestyle by learning from your cravings and using mood-boosting ingredients every day

Blending together Lindsey Smith’s passion for health and wellness, food and humor, Eat Your Feelings is a humorous, lighthearted take on your typical diet book.

Busy young professionals wrestle with long hours, an exhausting dating culture, and the stress of the modern world. As days whiz by, it’s normal to gravitate toward food—a quick slice of pizza, a chocolate bar, or a bag of chips—that fulfills a craving of the moment or gives a quick energy boost. And this impulse makes sense. Food gives us a sense of pleasure and joy. It can provide us with satisfaction and comfort. Food can awaken each of our senses to something new each time we eat. It gives us energy, and quite literally sustains life as we know it. It should be emotional.

If you are feeling sad, stressed, exhausted, hangry, or bored, it’s comforting to eat dishes you love and crave. But Lindsey Smith shows how simple it is to make those same meals and snacks with mood-boosting ingredients that will physically nourish instead of processed foods. In Eat Your Feelings, Lindsey Smith, the Food Mood Girl, will look at ways to eat healthy food based on what people tend to crave the most during heightened emotional states, introducing recipes with crunchy, cheesy, creamy, sweet, and salty themes and drink alternatives for those who tend to chug soda or coffee when all worked up.

It’s crucial to listen to your cravings: they are the gatekeepers that unlock the secrets to our unique bodies. But a major element of the Food Mood lifestyle is love, and revolutionizing the way you treat your body and your cravings will not only rid yourself of hanger pains but will also teach you how to listen and respond to your body with healthy ingredients and recipes.

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272 pages, Paperback

Published December 26, 2017

39 people are currently reading
722 people want to read

About the author

Lindsey Smith

36 books53 followers
LINDSEY SMITH is a nationally recognized author, health coach, speaker, wellness icon, and the blogger behind Food Mood Girl. Best known for her books Junk Foods & Junk Moods and Food Guilt No More, Lindsey has reached thousands of people looking to enhance their mood, decrease their anxiety and learn to love themselves just a little more. When not helping others, Lindsey is typically spending time in her hometown with her husband and dog, Winnie Cooper. Her new book, Eat Your Feelings, launches January 2018 with Wednesday Books.

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5 stars
52 (30%)
4 stars
55 (32%)
3 stars
36 (21%)
2 stars
18 (10%)
1 star
7 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Susan.
849 reviews
January 10, 2018
Pretty disappointed in this book. It’s quite a mixed bag. There are some good recommendations and some recipes that look tasty (though not necessarily healthy). Then there are some wacky and unfortunately trendy ideas, like the idea that eating chicken makes you anxious (?!) and a recipe for charcoal ice cream. There’s a heavy emphasis on allegedly good-for-you ingredients like coconut oil, maple syrup, activated charcoal, and turmeric, while the latter is the only one I know to have evidence supporting its benefits. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone seeking solidly healthy recipes and evidence-based advice.
Profile Image for LeTresa Renee.
Author 25 books59 followers
November 11, 2017
Ms. Smith has definitely done her research. This is a great and informative read... I just learned why I crave salty foods so much. I'd definitely recommend this book to others. Give it a try!
Profile Image for Emily.
775 reviews18 followers
March 2, 2018
Great recipes and ideas for eating healthy! This would be a great book for someone who is just learning about healthy eating and healthy lifestyles in general.
Profile Image for Hallie.
213 reviews57 followers
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March 8, 2018
I eat chocolate and drink lattes when I’m sad, mad, happy, and bored so I was intrigued by this cookbook from a food mood eater. Eat Your Feelings: The Food Mood Girl’s Guide to Transforming Your Emotional Eating with Recipes was full of interesting tidbits about eating based on your emotions, easy recipes, and positivity.

Again, I’m no stranger to eating for comfort or celebration and I loved that this book encouraged you to embrace your feelings. The first half of this cookbook focuses on learning why you crave certain foods when you feel sad or happy. It includes helpful charts with common cravings and what your body is really looking for. It also goes into the emotional reasons we crave brownies or french fries. Smith really encourages you to give into your cravings when you need to. Denying yourself what you really want will often make you overeat or feel empty. This book wants us to become food-mood-etarians and embrace the cravings our bodies have because it means that we need something. The first half of this book provides you with a basis of understanding your the emotional, hormonal, or other reasons that you want to eat certain foods.

While this book encourages you to love and treat yourself to what you really want, it also strikes a balance and offers healthy recipes for those common cravings. The recipes that Smith includes aren’t “swap cookies for kale” but instead use actual chocolate chips in healthier recipes. The recipes are broken up based on moods and provide a list of foods that will help you feel better. Within the mood categories, recipes are broken down further by salty, sweet, crunchy, creamy, and drink recipes. It’s super easy to find a recipe that you’re in the mood for. The overall layout of the book is well organized and appealing with inset boxes, little illustrations, and charts.

The cookbook also provides a complete guide to mood-boosting foods. It’s helpfully organized by type of produce, emotions, and cooking preparation. Smith also included a helpful primer lesson on cooking, chopping, and preparing food. These additions make this a great beginner guide for anyone who is new to cooking. Smith’s recipes are also beginner friendly and if there’s anything you don’t know how to do, you can use her guide within the book to learn.

This book is perfect for anyone who wants to improve their eating and moods but doesn’t want to give up the food that makes them happy. Eat Your Feelings is a food-positive cookbook about preparing food that you will boost you!
Profile Image for Robin Morgan.
Author 5 books287 followers
December 26, 2017
I received an ARC [Advanced Reader’s (Uncorrected) Copy] of this book from the author’s publisher and the following is my honest opinion.

Having worked in city hospitals for only 33 years, especially the last seven years under a particular director I found myself carving certain foods so I could feel relatively comfortable and work better. While I usually didn’t have any breakfast, some mornings I couldn’t start unless I had my BLT on a toasted roll with mayo and a 20-oz. bottle of Pepsi [diet]; days it had been the coffee shop off the hospital’s lobby on some with regular bacon, on others it would be the store across the street which used turkey bacon only since its owners sold no ham or pork products.

Each day my lunch consisted of an item off my list of meals I craved depending how I felt when it became time to eat. While on some days my lunch had been something relatively healthy many day it wasn’t; four chicken wings with pork fried rice and extra onions, a footlong meatball marinara from Subway’s with provolone cheese and extra sauce, or two slices of pizza, each with a bottle of some soda, had been the rule of the day.

I never knew why I would crave certain foods on certain days and not on others, and although my dear OH and I never had any children, I felt like the stereotypical pregnant woman craving some weird food or combination of foods in the middle of the night.

This is why I found this book by Lindsey Smith, The Food Mood Girl, an extremely educational and enlightening reading experience.

The author tells her readers how to acknowledge the cravings you’ve got and to digress from those cravings and to use more sensible substitute ingredients instead. This book had written out of her intense desire for those she comes into contact to be in good physical and mental health, and presented in an entertaining, enjoyable manner not usually found in your standard diet book.

As it is in all cases where people want to transform some part of their existence; so, when it comes to food cravings it’s vital to listen to them since they hold the key to your own distinctive situation and body. Just like those Chinese herbalists who know what combination of herbs would make their clients feel better, this book gets its readers to consider ways to eat healthier and at the same time satisfying the cravings their bodies is yearning to have, and gives numerous recipes which can aid in this endeavor; recipes which are heathier than the foods who’ve once had craved.

For wanting readers like myself to end the cravings which are essentially killing us more each, and to substitute heathier ones instead, I’m happy to give Ms. Smith and her book 5 STARS.
Profile Image for Amy A.
22 reviews
March 18, 2018
Well intentioned I’m sure, but the food advice from this "nutrition coach" is questionable (e.g. don’t eat factory farmed chicken because they’re anxious and therefore you will be too). Included within the text are several charts of food+mood suggestions that aren't backed up by any facts, only author opinion (craving sweet and you’re sad: eat berries, “hangry” (a term she coined, she says): eat a pear or raisins, bored: clementines, dates, pecans) — charts like this that will never be referenced for behavior modification seem silly to me, sorry. And the recipes...we have “cookie dough contraband” (nut butter, honey, almond flour + chocolate chips...not exactly normal, healthy eating in my book), and things that are at best snack ideas, not recipes: raspberries with chocolate chip stuffed inside (why ruin a good raspberry is what I'm thinking), banana slices with nut butter.

Perhaps an ok book for someone just beginning to sort out their emotional eating issues (because it will reassure that you are not alone), but I didn't find it helpful and regret spending money on it.
Profile Image for Jody.
53 reviews4 followers
December 20, 2018
Closer to 2.5 stars--some of the advice in here was a little new-agey for my taste (avoid eating meat from animals that were stressed because you will feel their anxiety). At the end, what the book was trying to encapsulate was eat a variety of healthy, nutrient-rich and unprocessed foods, take care of yourself, and you will feel fine, which could have been summed up in fewer pages.
The recipes, though, are the bomb.
Profile Image for Samantha.
24 reviews
November 12, 2017
A fantastic guide to food that is one part psychological and one part biological, and all around lighthearted. Offers insight into why we eat what we do at particular times, and how to change your approach to emotional eating without dieting. Smith illustrates why the craving we have cannot compensate for the deeper feeling that are the source of those impulses. Loved the recipe guides grouped by mood: what to eat when you are feeling sad, stressed, etc. The recipe for cookie dough contraband is awesome!
1,481 reviews38 followers
November 15, 2017
This book gives a lot of insight in to emotional eating. I love all the recipes in it and am anxious to try some of them.
Profile Image for Crystal.
10 reviews
January 8, 2022
DNF. Might go back and try again later, but i found myself getting increasingly aggravated by the book's content, as the author makes a lot of assumptions about food and how it affects the body.
Profile Image for Teenreadsdotcom.
696 reviews39 followers
May 24, 2018
EAT YOUR FEELINGS is the perfect mix of healthy recipes and tips on understanding your food moods. The first half of the book consists of explanations for different emotional eating and what healthy alternatives you can substitute. The second half is filled with fun and healthy recipes for people who want to make that lifestyle change.

I will be the first to admit that I am a food mood girl. I love snacking and I have an obsession with chocolate. I stress eat a lot as well as eat when I’m bored. I am also trying to diversify my reading and read from genres I normally shy away from. When I saw the description for this book I instantly knew I wanted to read it. I instantly connected to Lindsey Smith and the different food moods she outlined in the book and when I finished the first thing I wanted to do was try out one of the recipes.

I loved how aesthetically pleasing the book looks as well. The bright colors and fun illustrations made the book stunning to look at as I turned the pages. I also enjoyed how organized and easy to read it was. I do wish that each recipe had a picture of the final product for me to look at for reference, but for the most part there were a lot of pictures of the foods themselves. The charts in the book were also very helpful and helped me realize that often times I crave sweets because I am stressed, bored, or am missing nutrients in my body.

EAT YOUR FEELINGS also validated my winter and summer blues where I just want to stay in bed and do nothing. Lindsey Smith reminded readers that often times when productive and busy people find themselves with nothing to do, they fill that gap with snacks and unhealthy foods. If that’s not the definition of my life, then I don’t know what is. I also learned quite a bit on why I feel so hungry later in the day when I come home from school. Often I bring quick meals for lunch at school if I know I will be busy and so I am not getting the proper nutrients and calories I need. When I come home I then feel the need to eat and end up overeating because my meals are not balanced.

I definitely learned a lot from this book and cannot wait to try the various recipes that Lindsey Smith has created as healthy alternatives for food mood girls. It is always nice to know that your feelings are valid and I recommend this book to people who want to understand their emotional eating better and find out ways to combat it. As a person who does not fare well in the kitchen I still found EAT YOUR FEELINGS enlightening to read and I feel more educated about the reasons I reach for certain foods. The next time I catch myself craving a certain food, I know I will stop to think about the reasons behind my cravings and maybe take a look at my food mood guide at the healthy alternatives I could eat instead.

Reviewed by Ilona K., Teen Board Member
911 reviews39 followers
June 4, 2019
I liked this a lot more than I expected to! I thought it would be silly, and indeed, a fair amount of it is, but it's not aversive, it completely avoids any sort of weight-loss talk or fat-shaming, and it doesn't push dieting or any specific diet over another. Thinking about food in terms of emotions feels like a good connection for me for where I'm at currently in my current physical and emotional wellbeing adventure at the moment, and this book makes it really easy to think about food that way even if it's not clear how scientifically valid the ideas are. I especially appreciated that there are many simple recipes in this book; I didn't actually try any of them yet but they sound really good, easy to make, and readily adaptable for a wide range of dietary needs.
1,178 reviews14 followers
January 7, 2018
This common sense approach to emotional eating primarily focuses on vegetarian cooking. The first five chapters look at the how and why people eat what they do. Chapter 6 is divided into recipe sections for emotional eating, sad, stressed and anxious, exhausted and tired, hangry, and bored. Hangry is a compulsion to eat because of circumstances rather than hunger. The recipes are easy to follow. The photographs and illustration are eye-catching.

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. Although encouraged, I was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Lilia.
384 reviews3 followers
April 26, 2018
This book I loved, the author explains with a unique sense of humor that makes reading very enjoyable and motivates you to make changes in your routine. The recipes are very original and very tasty, as well as containing many practical tips, both for cooking and managing your emotions. Enjoy reading and using this book.

Este libro me encantó, la autora explica con un sentido del humor único que hace muy amena la lectura y te motiva ha realizar cambios en tu rutina. Las recetas son muy originales y muy sabrosas, además de contienen muchos tips prácticos, tanto para cocinar como para manejar tus emociones. Disfrute mucho leyendo y utilizando este libro.
Profile Image for Heather.
1,174 reviews9 followers
February 24, 2019
It has taken me nearly a year to get through reading this whole book!

Now, onward to trying the recipes!

Lindsey was so nice when I met her and the idea behind the book sounded intriguing. It took me this long to finish because the first third of the book is very fact based and fact filled. I struggle with books like this! That said, I’m glad I’ve finally pushed through and I can’t wait to try some of these snack recipes because hanger is real and sleep is a necessary part of life that doesn’t always get met!

If you are interested in food, eating healthy, or struggle with emotional eating, I’d highly recommend this one.
Profile Image for Meghan.
2,474 reviews
February 3, 2018
When I saw this book at Barnes and noble I knew I needed this book in my life. Weight has always been a huge issue for me and I have to admit I eat sometimes when I’m not really hungry but ALWAYS when I’m stressed and in this book, Lindsey Smith recommends spices and foods that reduce this cravings and feelings so that you can only eat when you are hungry and still feel satisfied with your life. 5 stars!
Profile Image for Alicia.
8,556 reviews150 followers
October 19, 2020
There is A LOT in this book and it's all fantastic information, has bright illustrations and intuitive organization, charts, and graphics, and still maintains a lovely voice from the author and cook Lindsey Smith.

As much as she discusses the emotional side of eating, there's tons about why PAGES of foods listed by category are good for one, recipes to try out specific ingredients based on feelings, and things to consider. It's all relevant and fun to skip around based on what you need.
Profile Image for Kara.
171 reviews
March 28, 2023
I remember one time I was really craving a chocolate brownie, I told myself "No, Lindsey you cannot have a chocolate brownie. That's bad." ... A bar of dark chocolate, two gluten free cookies, some cheese bread, and a failed 'healthy' hot chocolate later I still wanted that damn brownie. I then thought to myself, "What if I just allowed myself to eat the brownie I really wanted?'

Recipe: Dark Chocolate + Sea Salt Brownies
Ingredients: Almond meal, raw cacao, ...
Profile Image for Sam Slaughter.
Author 6 books28 followers
September 24, 2017
A clear, easy way to approach food that isn't going to make you feel terrible after. In fact, it does the opposite. EYF helps understand how food and mood go together and what you can do in various situations. Smith knows what she's talking about when it comes to food and when that is coupled with bright imagery, it's both an incredibly fun and useful read.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
435 reviews
November 30, 2017
A great book for teens and young women looking for healthy recipes and lifestyle choices that are customized to their body type and mood. The recipes are suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and other food choices or diets restricted due to allergies, etc.
Profile Image for Catherine Peel.
181 reviews13 followers
February 19, 2018
I really loved this book. It’s half self help half cookbook. It talks about why we have food cravings and what to do when they come on. It discusses the different types of reasons that people have food cravings and what to eat when your feeling sad, happy mad exc. totally worth getting and reading
144 reviews3 followers
February 24, 2018
A well written book that explains emotional eating. Why do we crave certain foods at certain times? I really enjoyed this book and recipes are included! Thank you Goodreads Giveaway for a very helpful book.
Profile Image for Kris.
771 reviews11 followers
May 26, 2018
There were a lot of great things to try in this book including some terrific simple recipes. The turmeric ice cream (frozen banana base), no-jitters java (a Tibetan coffee variation) and emoji chocolates were all good.
Profile Image for Kirsteen.
63 reviews
August 5, 2024
I enjoyed most of the book - there were some ideas I didn't totally agree with and I wish it had gone more into the emotional side of things. But there are some yummy sounding recipes and a lot of good ideas/helps.
Profile Image for Lindsay Westervelt.
25 reviews
April 29, 2025
Highly recommend! Lindsey combines self help tips with nutritional facts, practical recipes, humor, and funny doodles throughout to make this a great resource. Definitely one to keep on your personal bookshelf.
643 reviews11 followers
November 11, 2017
I really found this book interesting and helpful well worth a look see.
Profile Image for Faith 09.
250 reviews2 followers
November 13, 2017
This book is such a fun and informative read. I can't wait to actually buy it when it comes out because I can tell it's going to be a cute little bit.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
26 reviews
February 18, 2018
Thought invoking

Really enjoyed learning how moods and foods go hand in hand. As well as how to eat when in certain moods and why the foods benefit you.
Profile Image for Suzanne.
42 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2018
Enjoyed this book quite a bit and trying some of the recipes.
Profile Image for Anne C.
148 reviews18 followers
May 29, 2018
Super interesting! Good recipes!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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