If you recognize this pattern, then two books may be of interest. One is a self-help book about breaking this cycle of overeating, and the other takes a close look at a key external factor that may be responsible for our overeating. Whatever the cause, the solution is not dieting. You might drop a few pounds in the beginning, but committing to a life of deprivation is hard, and, according to the first author, entirely unnecessary.
"Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat" by Michelle May, MD, is an engaging non-diet book that analyzes why we overeat, and offers strategies for regaining control of our appetites so we can eat with enjoyment and without guilt. Actually, Dr. May takes issue with the word "control," because in her view, being in control suggests restriction; forcing ourselves to do things we don't want to do, and not doing the things we do want to do. She prefers that we aim to be in charge of our eating decisions, and to feel empowered. It's a subtle yet important difference.
Dr. May doesn't assign blame or analyze what it is in food that may cause us to overeat. Her focus is on the psychology of eating. She argues that eating is driven by many stimuli, only one of which is hunger, a sensation that we no longer instinctively recognize. Her goal is to help us reconnect with our bodies so that we engage in a healthy relationship with food, where we can feel at peace with eating. To paraphrase Dr. May, it's not about being good, it’s about feeling good.
So Why do we Overeat?
In "The End of Overeating," David Kessler, MD, a former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner, takes a different approach to the problem. He points the finger squarely at the food industry. He argues that processed foods, which maximize the combination of sugar, fat and salt to the point of irresistibility, trick our brains into eating well beyond the point at which we should feel physically full or satisfied. Even the most innocuous of foods can be manipulated to deliver these appetite-stimulating ingredients. Take the humble lettuce leaf, which serves as a "vehicle" for a sugar, fat and salt combination in bottled salad dressing, or acts as a layer in a hamburger or a sandwich.Dr. Kessler's language is different to Dr. May's as it's couched in terms of doing battle, resistance, fear and control. Dr. Kessler acknowledges that until the motives of the food companies are laid bare and we cease to be hoodwinked, we should examine our motives for eating and overeating. He writes that as much as food companies may be responsible for luring us into eating "hyper-palatable" foods, the power of resistance lies with us, in developing the skills to resist temptation. And this is where Dr. May's book can help.
How Not to Overeat
Before reaching for something to eat, ask yourself a simple question: Am I Hungry? If your answer is yes, the key follow-up question becomes, what are you hungry for? In asking these questions, we will become more aware of our physical, mental and emotional needs.Can it really be so simple? Simple yes, easy, no. It requires us to eat mindfully, yet not be obsessed by food, which may take some practice. But if you're fed up with yo-yo dieting and feeling guilty about eating, then you should consider a more holistic, positive approach, such as Dr. May's. And if you want to share the blame for your eating woes, David Kessler's book provides an interesting and perhaps shocking look at how food companies seek to manipulate not only what we eat, but also how much we eat.
Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: How to Break Your Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle by Michelle May, MD Greenleaf Book Group Press ISBN 978-1-60832-003-5 
The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite by David A. Kessler, MD
Rodale ISBN 1-60529-785-2
