過度飲食心理學: 當人生只剩下吃是唯一慰藉

by Kima Cargill, 基瑪·卡吉兒, 吳宜蓁 (Translator)

壓力大？去吃到飽！
覺得煩？來喝酒！
想減肥？改喝果汁輕斷食！
睡不著？吞個助眠劑！

為什麼我們的人生，
似乎都用「吃」來解決所有問題？

臨床心理師基瑪‧卡吉兒透過學術研究與臨床實務，抽絲剝繭「過度飲食」現象背後的複雜機制，解開為什麼我們會陷入「狂吃」的病態消費之中。

想減肥？一「吃」就搞定！
我們都知道，最簡單、最有科學根據的減重方法就是「少吃一點」，但為什麼就是做不到呢？其實我們的目光，早已被一則一則光鮮亮麗的廣告所吸引：

●能量棒、代餐、運動飲料、阿金飲食、生酮飲食、食物調理機、現榨果汁機……

時下最流行、噱頭性十足的商品，再加上網紅推薦文、開箱影片將我們給淹沒，於是我們用更多的「過度消費」來解決「過度飲食」的問題，彷彿只有砸大錢才買得健康和苗條。結果，我們往往比決定減重之前還消費得更多！

除了花錢吃吃喝喝之外，我們找不到生命的意義
各大廠商業者紛紛把我們當作賺錢武器──食品廠製造高度可口食品，讓我們上癮、變胖；標籤上的「天然」「低脂」等標語，促使我們毫不猶豫地吃更多；各種時尚飲食、減重食譜狂銷……業者的火藥庫裡，永遠都有最新的花招、力量強大的成分，我們還抵擋得住嗎？
　　
問題是，當吃下肚的東西，代表了身分地位；當不購買時下的東西，就會被邊緣化；當你沮喪、焦慮、孤單的時候，沉溺在食物裡，是人生中唯一的慰藉……你還能不去消費嗎？

　　
消費文化、社會心理、廣告媒體、成癮物質、食品廠與藥廠爭奪戰……一堆「看不見的手」，在背後操縱著我們的生活！或許，我們已經別無選擇。過度飲食，不僅是我們唯一負擔得起的平價奢侈，也是我們在這個變態的消費文化下，表達痛苦的極端方式。

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

464 pages, Unknown Binding

First published October 22, 2015

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about the "Culture of Consumerism" from a societal point of view, rather than a personal one. I can't say that I enjoyed it to be honest despite it being a subject I feel fairly strongly about. The author came off as someone who is personally offended by a wasteful, decadent society. At some points, it felt very judgemental despite being written in a very clinical style, and that's not what I was expecting. It was a weird mix of the personal (case studies, experiences) and the clinical (frequent references to other studies and authors) that just didn't mesh well for me. In the very beginning of the book the author mentions - quite scathingly - a client of hers as a case study, and all I could think was "I'm so happy this isn't my doctor." Perhaps the attempt to be clinical and technical whilst mixing with personal experiences merely resulted in a report that seemed devoid of all empathy or understanding.

This may be a book that appeals to the academic researching in this area and I'm sure will be interesting to her peers, but it is not a book that is designed to actually help, and I don't think it will hold that much interest for the layman. I would only recommend it to those studying in this area, and not anyone looking for personal insight.

I appreciate being provided with an advanced review copy by NetGalley.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to improve my knowledge on the psychological aspect of overeating. I feel this book helped me achieve this goal. Cargill explores the psychology of overeating from a societal viewpoint. Over the course of the book she explores many areas, with my favourite being how individuals are manipulated by confusing marketing tactics in order to consume more.

This book is not an unbiased perspective however, it does not claim to be. Instead Cargill supports her opinions and observations with relevant and current references to the time of publication (2015). This book is not a self-help book and would be suitable for people who have an interest in psychology, health and wellbeing and cultural influences. Whilst this book is clinical, it is accessible and concepts are presented and explained clearly.

I enjoyed how this book explored overeating and Cargill left me thinking about how I could research this further and how it would influence my professional work. It is worth noting that this books was published in 2015, so there may be more current research now available. It is also worth noting that this book is predominantly focused on the USA - however, I felt there is relevance to Western Culture as a whole.

Overall, this was an interesting and thought provoking read that I would recommend.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to take a food psychology class--mainly because the course description peaked my interest but I decided to supplement my learning with this book! To be completely honest, I think that Cargill gets straight to the point and I feel like, even if people are aware of different marketing strategies, this book does a great job of /really/ making you aware of them. I will also mention that Cargill talks about eating disorders/disordered eating as well as addiction/substance abuse, which can be triggering for some.

[新新 Xin-Xin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Shobhit Dixit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book about critical things often understood, but never explicitly called out.

[Mikey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise is an existential psychologist proffers critique of consumer capitalism to underscore relationship with caloric overconsumption (of note, "existential psychology" here is code for the neo-Freudian, Marxist humanism of Erich Fromm).

The review on consumerism is (a marked improvement from contemporaries) centered on the "five understandings of consumerism" by Gabriel & Lang (2006):
- Consumerism as Moral Doctrine
- Consumerism as Political ideology
- Consumerism as Economic Ideology
- Consumerism as Social Ideology
- Consumerism as Social Movement

The five characteristics are overlaid on a semi-academic overview of "affluenza" (portmanteau of affluence and influenza) elsewhere defined as as "a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more" (de Graaf, 2001).

The concepts of consumerism and affluenza are then extended towards dietary choices, behaviors and (over)consumption. However, any promised exposition on interplay of dietary patterns with consumer capitalism ultimately becomes lost in a menagerie of personal anecdotes and a self-serving sea of circular reasoning.

The concept is novel and worth further exploration: just not here.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley. It will appeal greatly to those with a social science background as it's data intensive and looks at the science of overeating but it's written in a way that makes it highly accessible to the lay reader. The book looks at the connection between the rise of the consumer culture and overconsumption in general and how it rolls over to eating and hence overeating. It also looks at the psychology used to manipulate consumers through hyperpalatability, choice/variety, convenience, branding, marketing, advertising and how these practices contribute to overeating. Health halos (foods that claim to be healthier- low fat, natural, etc) which contribute to overeating are discussed as well as hormones and other biological factors. The role of the FDA and food labeling in contributing to overeating is examined. The book is highly informative and educational and is written well which makes it interesting instead of dry and textbook like which often happens with academic reads. It also offers suggestions to avoid overeating. Fans of books like Why We Buy by Paco Underhill or Salt, Sugar, Fat by Michael Moss will greatly enjoy this read.

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting book that links the overeating to a more general theory of consumption where we are encouraged (in a way) to over do everything: shopping, eating, exercising, working, etc. What the author does is setting the base of our over whatever in the feeling that we are not enough, that we failed and so now we have to overcompensate. Brilliant.

Libro molto interessante che collega il mangiare troppo con una piú generale teoria del sovraconsumo, secondo la quale siamo in qualche modo spinti ad eccedere in tutto: nello shopping, nel mangiare, nel fare esercizio fisico, nel lavorare, etc. Quello che fa l'autrice é mettere alla base del nostro bisogno di esagerare nel consumo, la sensazione che in qualche modo non andiamo bene, abbiamo fallito e quindi ora dobbiamo compensare. Geniale a suo modo.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND BLOOMSBURY ACADEMIC FOR THE PREIVEW!

[Eileen Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Athough the research is mainly aimed at the American market, parts of this book are relevent to the UK especially with the discussions about the overuse and consumption of sugars especially by children.
I suppose what the author is telling us is that consumerism and overeating are intertwined and we should all - consumers, manufacturers and governmnt should work together to do something about it collectively.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.

[Dougie W]

Made me think and change. It opens another chapter in my life to limit consumption with food. I limited my stuff with my minimalism, but today I start on my food. I will be critical of what the labels say and don't say. I will allow my body to heal and be careful on what "healthy" and "natural" things I choose.