The End of Overeating

Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite

By: David A. Kessler MD

Narrated by: Blair Hardman

Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Most of us know what it feels like to fall under the spell of food - when one slice of pizza turns into half a pie, or a handful of chips leads to an empty bag. But it's harder to understand why we can't seem to stop eating - even when we know better. When we want so badly to say "no," why do we continue to reach for food?

Dr. David Kessler, the dynamic former FDA commissioner who reinvented the food label and tackled the tobacco industry, now reveals how the food industry has hijacked the brains of millions of Americans. The result? America's number-one public health issue.

Dr. Kessler cracks the code of overeating by explaining how our bodies and minds are changed when we consume foods that contain sugar, fat, and salt. Food manufacturers create products by manipulating these ingredients to stimulate our appetites, setting in motion a cycle of desire and consumption that ends with a nation of overeaters. The End of Overeating explains for the first time why it is exceptionally difficult to resist certain foods and why it's so easy to overindulge. Dr. Kessler met with top scientists, physicians, and food industry insiders.

The End of Overeatinguncovers the shocking facts about how we lost control over our eating habits - and how we can get it back. Dr. Kessler presents groundbreaking research, along with what is sure to be a controversial view inside the industry that continues to feed a nation of overeaters - from popular brand manufacturers to advertisers, chain restaurants, and fast-food franchises. For the millions of people struggling with weight as well as for those of us who simply don't understand why we can't seem to stop eating our favorite foods, Dr. Kessler's cutting-edge investigation offers new insights and helpful tools to help us find a solution. There has never been a more thorough, compelling, or in-depth analysis of why we eat the way we do.

©2009 David A. Kessler, M.D. (P)2009 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

It's easy to see how America got fat!

Very interesting look at how culture, society, and business shape our eating habits. Contained a lot of clinical study detail. That might get boring for some, but the author tried to keep it in layman's terms. I followed it all well. Not so much a book about "what you need to do" but more about "why we do what we do" and practical suggestions about how we can help to re-teach ourselves successful eating behaviors.

Very informational

The majority of this is book is spent explaining how the clever combination of sugar, fat, and salt can make food almost irresistible. It isn't until the last few chapters that the author explains what we can do to combat it. These are good strategies, but I was hoping for a little more given I had to wait so long to hear them.

A real eye opener

Read this if you want a concrete way to change your relationship with food and become healthier. You don’t have to be driven by cravings because there are options. As Dave Ramsey says about mine management: “Live like no one else so you can live like no one else.”

The best 'NON-DIET" diet book out there...

This is an excellent book. This isn't your typical diet book. You will not get list of foods to eat or avoid. You will not get recipes or meal plans. You will not get the exercise lecture, weight charts or BMI calculations. What you will get is straight honest talk about how the food industry uses clever marketing to make us fat. Dr. Kessler gets very technical in explaining why you just can't say no to some foods... and no, it's not because you are week or have no willpower. It's not because you had a bad childhood or your mother was the clean plate club president. This book will make you angry at the food industry and will fire you up to fight back. Dr. Kessler gives logical, effective pointers for reevaluating how you eat that will ultimately result in a healthier and better looking you. Download this book, listen, take notes and make you own game plan for your future. It may be the best credit worthy book at Audible. The readers did a good job in presenting this book. Without a doubt this is the best 'NON-DIET" diet book out there.

An important, honest, fascinating book

I can't recommend this book enough. It is the most thought-provoking book on eating that I have ever read. It is also a very interesting look at the food industry. While not a diet book per se, I would strongly recommend reading it before you choose a diet. It will open your eyes in ways I doubt you will expect. Really, give it a shot.

Great info on learning and craving

Kessler offers excellent clear descriptions of how our minds work and how this relates to overeating. This includes how commercial foods are designed to induce cravings, to the brain's reward circuits, to breaking habits, and much more. Not only does Kessler offer useful advice on controlling overeating, he offers a very clear look at how to make and break habits in general. (Some of this is even helpful in my dog training, which is, after all, in large part about helping dogs make or break habits, like sitting nicely at the door when people arrive.)

Technical but helpful

This book can be technical at times and repeats some of the core information however, if you want to really understand and create a plan to combat overeating, this is the book you need.

A Must Read

This book is well researched and executed excellently. I have required my preteen and teenaged daughters to listen. The information shared in this book is life changing.

Excellent!

definitely worth the read. many a-ha moments. accurate and engaging. science, tools, and strategies.

Overall great book

The book is informative, well written, easy to listen to, and it is easy to absorb the information presented. The book is well narrated. I have recommended it to friends and family and will continue to do so.