It's not what you're eating, it's what's eating you : a teenager's guide to preventing eating disorders -- and loving yourself

A guide for young people to achieving a healthy relationship with food and their bodies in the face of today's social pressures and emotional challenges. Part accessible self-help guide and part constructive hands-on workbook, It's Not What You're Eating, It's What's Eating You teaches young people who struggle with low self-esteem and body insecurity to stop relying on unhealthy eating habits as a coping mechanism and to start getting to know themselves and what they value and want in life. Covering addictions and disorders like anorexia, bulimia, obesity, and binge eating disorder, this book also shows teens how to stop negative thought patterns, maintain meaningful and healthy relationships, indulge in self-care, love their own bodies, be happy, and take charge of their lives. With personal anecdotes, practical tips, and writing exercises, author Shari Brady redefines our dysfunctional relationship with food. Instead of allowing food to dictate our emotions, let it nurture and nourish our bodies and souls, as it's meant to! Life as an adolescent is scary and confusing. In a weight-obsessed world that dictates what a "perfect body" should look like, teens who are insecure about their bodies see food as the enemy and reason they can't fit in with the popular crowd. Plus, in a volatile season of quick romances and breakups, strained or broken family ties, and academic expectations, food and emotional eating can be a teen's only coping mechanism to soothe a broken heart or deal with poor grades. Part accessible self-help guide and part constructive hands-on workbook, It's Not What You're Eating, It's What's Eating You teaches young people who struggle with low self-esteem and body insecurity to stop focusing on food as an answer to life's problems and to start getting to know themselves and what they value and want in life. Covering addictions and disorders like anorexia, bulimia, obesity, and binge eating disorder, this book also shows teens how to stop negative thought patterns, maintain meaningful and healthy relationships, indulge in self-care, love their own bodies, be happy, and take charge of their lives. With personal anecdotes, practical tips, and hands-on writing exercises, author Shari Brady redefines our dysfunctional relationship with food. Instead of allowing food to dictate our emotions, let it nurture and nourish our bodies and souls, as it is meant to! Your relationship with food. What is emotional eating? -- Why are you eating or not eating? -- Let's talk about eating disorders -- When things fall apart -- why do we eat or not eat to feel better? -- Your relationship with yourself. What are you thinking and feeling? -- Our feelings and eating -- Body image -- How to nurture yourself without food -- Who are you? Finding your sense of self -- Your life values -- Bringing your values to life -- Let's talk about goals -- Listening to your body: mindfulness and you -- What to do with the pain in your life -- Your relationship with others. Emotional risk and relationships -- Assertiveness -- How to deal with difficult people -- Putting it all together. What is your why? Follow practical advice to stop destructive emotional eating habits, and learn to love your body and establish your self-worth. --Publisher.