Cravings: A Catholic Wrestles with Food, Self-Image, and God

Many people maintain a love/hate relationship with food: they enjoy eating the wide array of scrumptious options available to them, but dread the calories and the effect of their consumption on the waistline. Rather than turn to diet pills and self-help guides, however, award-winning Catholic journalist and author Poust (The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Catholic Catechism) suggests inviting God to the dinner table. The author investigates what people may be hungry for besides food, such as a spiritual connection or a sense of self-worth. Filling these voids requires considering a different menu—one that includes prayer, mindfulness, and, especially for Catholics, the Eucharist. These, Poust insists, will help counter the steady stream of unrealistic body images presented by the culture that chip away at self-esteem. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter are particularly helpful for developing a foundation of personal awareness that is vital for approaching food in a new way. Poust serves up a feast for the eyes, the heart, and the soul. (Dec.)