Feed Me!: Writers Dish About Food, Eating, Weight, and Body Image

by Harriet Brown (Editor)

In our appearance-obsessed society, eating is about much more than hunger and sustenance. Food inspires pleasure and anxiety, shame and obsession. We are constantly judged on how we look, so we’ve come to judge ourselves (and others) on what and how we eat.

Joyce Maynard writes about learning to make pie with her complex but adored mother. Caroline Leavitt’s chilling piece describes the overlap between power and eating. Ophira Edut explains how an outspoken “body outlaw” wound up on Jenny Craig. Diana Abu-Jaber writes about abandoning her Bedouin customs for America’s silverware and table manners–and missing the physical, hands-on connection with food.

Exploring the bonds between appetite and remorse, hunger and longing, satisfaction and desire, this anthology is for every woman who’s ever felt guilty about eating dessert, or gushed over a friend’s weight loss, or wished she had a different body.

Feed Me! features the following

“He Called Me Fat; It Set Me Free” by Sari Botton
“The Grief Diety” by Caroline Leavitt
“With Hands” by Diana Abu-Jaber
“Seconds” by Jenny Allen
“My Worst Excess” by Amity Gaige
“Sisi, You’re Getting Fat” by Courtney E. Martin
“My Ten Plagues” by Harriet Brown
“Top Model” by Magali Amadei
“Reader, I Ate Him” by Brenda Copeland
“The Twin Paradox” by Susan O’Doherty
“Attack of the XL Girl” by Laurie Notaro
“Sugar Plum Fairy” by Dana Kinstler
“Sky Girl” by Ann Hood
“Plus What?” by Lisa Romeo
“Ess, Ess” by Rochelle Jewel Shapiro
“In the House of Jean Nidetch” by Whitney Otto
“You’re Not Fat” by Kate Harding
“My Binge Year” by Jane E. Brody
“Day One” by Wendy McClure
“Quacks” by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
“Battle of the Notes from a Decade of Body Activism” by Ophira Edut
“Take this Cake and Shove it” by Joan Fischer
“Pie” by Joyce Maynard

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Essays, Health, Food, Anthologies, Food and Drink

247 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Lillerina · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part I liked it, being into fat-acceptance anyway and fairly well read on the basics (shapely prose etc). However, one thing marred this collection for me over and over, and that was the writers sharing their height and weight again and again. I'd rather not know the weight of these writers, or the height, and it betrays an anxiety that I don't want to read in books like this. When someone writes that they weigh 130 lbs and are five-five but they've come to terms with that, I feel annoyed at them. I'm not in the business of forgiving people their weight, I think everyone has to do that for themselves and honestly, I'm five-one and the last time I weighed 130 lbs I was in the depths of an eating-disordered ordeal which stole eight years of my life. So, this was not sufficiently 'acceptance' for me, but it did sum up the anxieties surrounding weight quite well, I think.

[Kjersti · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of essays was more thought-provoking and serious than I thought it would be. However, it got a little heavy-handed by the end. The premise is that different women writers “weigh” in on body issues, eating disorders, self-esteem, and the meaning of the word fat.

Pro: It was interesting and nice to see a candid representation of what other women think about themselves and food. I definitely related to some of these women.
Con: Especially the “cured” women seemed to have turned their body and eating issues into a self-righteous lesson to the heathens who are not so enlightened.

[elita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is what every anthology should be: a collection of funny, poignant, well-written essays about a topic every woman can relate to, body image. This book is for everyone who has ever been brought to tears by a 3-way mirror or who fears and loathes bathing suit season. I devoured this book (heh).

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a wonderful book filled with the emotions and experiences of many women whom we can all relate to. I loved all of the stories. Immediately upon finishing the book I wanted to find out more about each contributing author. (although there is some language in some of the accounts)

[Sally Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspectives from many different people! I enjoyed reading about different aspects of other’s relationships with their bodies/food. I found it relatable in some ways, however, I did end up skipping a few chapters that felt slow.

[Thalarctos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a body positivity book.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were several stories in this book that were really heartfelt and inspiring. I particularly enjoyed the ones that showed me a cultural perspective on food and eating that was new to me -- people from different countries, with very different jobs, different upbringings, etc. It really drove the point home that, though our individual experiences may vary, we've all apparently got issues with food!

That said, there were a good number of pieces that I didn't feel added much to the collective story. There were four or five that simply read to me like, "I was skinny in high school then I gained 20 pounds in college then I got married and lost 20 pounds then I had a baby and gained 20 pounds..." and so on. Maybe on their own, distanced from each other by a few weeks, I would've enjoyed reading them, but assembled in one book, they started to get a little repetitive.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think everyone should read this book. Food is a complicated issue, and our modern life doesn't coexist very well with what our genetics want -- feast during times of plenty to save up for times of famine...now that for most of us there aren't times of famine we are saving up for...nothing!

I loved the variety of voices and opinions in this collection. I can't say that I agree with them all, and I doubt anyone would (since some conflict), but they are all worth a read.

Not everyone has weight issues, but it might help you to understand someone else if you read this.

Thanks to Ms. Brown for pulling these together.

[Doc]

An excellent collection of brilliantly written short stories by some of the most talented female writers of our time. You will laugh out loud at stories such as Attack of the XL Girl by Laurie Notaro and cry as you read stories like The Grief Diet by Caroline Leavitt. These stories weave a collective tale of the various psychological and emotional issues women face daily in their struggle to have healthy relationships with fashion and body image. The talented group of authors really connect to the soul making for a very enjoyable read perfect for the morning subway ride or a night time bedside read. I highly recommend it.

[Lindsay Aarons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published originally at my blog

I listened to the audiobook version of this book, which I honestly can’t really recommend. I think Feed Me would be better in small bites–it’s intended to create a sense of sisterhood and realization, but listening to eight hours of women talking about how they don’t feel like they deserve love if they weigh more than 130 lbs is a little depressing.

I’d recommend you maybe read one of the essays a day, and then follow it up with something a little more nourishing.

[Wendy Knerr · Rating 2 out of 5]

My interests in writing and learning about food include food policy, global food systems and agriculture, but at a more fundamental level, my own personal relationship with food (and therefore my body) is a major source of my curiosity. This collection of essays is an interesting look at how food and body image can so greatly influence women's lives, from the perspective of some really top women writers who articulate this complex subject well. I especially liked 'The Grief Diet' by Caroline Leavitt and, on the flip side, for humour, 'Attack of the XL Girl' by Laurie Notaro.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second "modern ideas about female body image" book. And this is what I learned about myself and other women. Some women have really messed up body images and ideas about food. I mean, REALLY messed up. I am currently trying to lose weight for the first time in my life. And after reading this, I learned I have a pretty healthy attitude about food and dieting, etc. My goodness, but some people are really screwed up!

It was a good read.

[miteypen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book slowly, like a meal I wanted to savor. I'm not saying it was of great literary quality, although there is some fine writing in it. But I so enjoyed all the different takes on what it means to be obsessed with food and body image in this society. There were also a few essays that were just about the meaning of food, how it comforts and connects us. I would recommend this to anyone who is feeling isolated by their own struggle with weight and food issues.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology allows a variety of contemporary voices to speak out on issues related to food, the body, and gender. Due to the personal nature of the subjects at hand, every reader will respond to these essays differently. That said, the stories that resonated most deeply with me were "The Twin Paradox" by Susan O'Doherty and "Pie" by Joyce Maynard.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent vignettes from a cross-section of society dishing about the highs and lows of food, body image, weight, power, etc. Although this is an oft explored topic I found this particular volume to be more frank and heartfelt than most. Highly recommended for anyone who has struggled with self-acceptance in regards to food and weight issues. (Are there any women who have not?)

[Maggie]

I love the last piece in this book, the one by Joyce Maynard called "Pie". Her mother taught her to make pie; she teaches everyone around her. "Cooking and Mother. Mother and Food. Food and Love." And it comes round again, to Love and Cooking. If you want to read the essay, but don't have the book to hand, it's here: http://www.joycemaynard.com/columns-a...

[Wan Ni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology contains contributions from various female writers on the topic of food, diet and body image. Most chronicle triumphant stories of overcoming eating disorders and negative body image issues while candidly sharing secrets and embarrassing moments. With the right reader mindset, these tales can empower and change perceptions.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of viewpoints about the role food plays in our lives. We have become a culture in which food no longer sustains our bodies. Food also helps us deal with our emotions, attempt to control ourselves and our environment, rebel against authority, and lie to ourselves about what we want and believe.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this because Laurie Notaro has an essay in it. While I still worship at the Notaro altar, so many of these essays rang true. Any woman who has ever looked in the mirror and not liked who looked back should read this book.

And it's drop dead funny. Seriously laugh out loud funny.

[Hope Baugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not every essay in this collection resonated with me, but some of them did. I think what I like best about this book is the VARIETY of voices and opinions. We all have some kind of relationship with food, and for most of us, it is a complicated one.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doesn't get any better than this. A myriad of writing styles. Short and sweet so you can set the book down mid-way and not forget where you are.
It combines two of the most influential elements of my life: writing and body image.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read, and I enjoyed most of the essays. I do wish it weren't necessary to have so many books about female body image and dieting, but that's a separate thing, not a reflection on this book.

[Julie Mulcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great non-fiction book about dieting and body image. It was raw and honest and spot-on. The only critique I have is some of the language. All in all it made me feel completely vindicated, and I really like feeling that way ;)

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this 4 stars, but somehow they neglected to include any masculine voices. I think it would have been nice to hear from at least one guy who has been affected by food, eating disorders, etc.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has got to be one of the best books I've read on body image. It really opened my eyes to my own relationship not only with my body, but with food as well. I highly recommend all girls and women, young and old read it.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful insights into the complex relationships we women have with food...interesting to see such a variety of opinions/experiences, from an overweight and proud of it woman to a woman who struggled with bingeing and is very proud of her slender-for-years physique.

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm the editor of this anthology, and a contributor as well. There are some amazing stories in here from women writers about the push-pull we all feel about food and eating, body image and weight.

[Rochelle Jewel Shapiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hilarious book for anyone who has ever battled with these issues. My essay, Ess Ess, is in it.

[Kara Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading other women's musings on and experiences with food, weight, body image. Well-edited and well-written and oh, so much I could resonate with!

[Kisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that discussed eating behaviors and its relation to body and eating disorders from both sides.