Christyna Johnson, MS, RDN, LDN is a Dallas-based eating disorder dietitian, public speaker, and podcast host. She graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and earned her Master of Science in Nutrition from Texas Woman's University. For years, Christyna struggled with negative body image, disordered eating patterns, and anxiety. Her weight cycled up and down, and she spent more time exercising than necessary, counted calories to no avail, until she hit rock bottom. Now, her work centers around the intersections of food, race and culture, bodies, and access to treatment.
This is a nice, simple little book of body positive affirmations in black and white. Each one has one page with an affirmation of one or two sentences and a facing page with things to ponder, questions to ask yourself, or more information. For example: I am not required to choose the ""healthy"" option when eating with others. I am allowed to choose what sounds good to me. ""Healthy"" is a relative term depending on what you need emotionally, physically, and situationally. Choosing something for the acceptance or validation from others can be performative. How might you feel choosing what you actually want to eat? It will be a good fit for people working on ending unhealthy diet patterns and people who want to develop a more positive relationship with their bodies. I personally found it less helpful because I am working on eating healthier and losing some post-menopausal weight (partly on the advice of my doctor to help with health issues and partly because I feel better when I am more fit and eating healthier) and I would like encouragement for that rather than so much reassurance that anything I do is fine. Another reviewer mentioned something beautiful at the end and I went back to see if I missed something. I find the 100th affirmation fine and I won't ruin the supposed surprise, but I'm not sure I agree with it being phenomenal or anything. All that aside, this is a positive book that is likely to feel comforting to many people who want to stop feeling bad about their bodies or their eating and exercise habits. I read a digital ARC of this book via netgalley. -- Alicia Bayer, Media/Journalist * NetGalley * This is a beautiful book for those who struggle with eating disorders or body image. This is nicely body positive with journal prompts. -- Mary Massary * NetGalley * Do you ever wish you could compile in print all the therapy sessions and warm heart-to-heart conversations that make you feel better about food and your body? That's how this book feels. 100 Food Affirmations has a little something for everyone and for every season of your life. This does mean that you might see affirmations you don't care about now, but you might also see affirmations that feel like a revelation or a gut punch. There's a range! And it definitely depends on how you, as the reader, show up. That said, the only reason this is a 4 star read instead of a 5 star read is because it can get a little repetitive. Repetition is necessary for affirmations, and I get that, but it's a little tricky in book format. I won't spoil it, but the last page is so beautiful. It will forever change the way you think about hope. I know it changed the way I think about hope! P.S. It's cool to be the first Goodreads review!!! Thanks for the ARC. -- Anna Whitney, Media/Journalist * NetGalley * What a powerful resource! As someone who has been on some sort of health program for the past 20 years, I could have used these affirmations and the reflection component on each and every one of those ventures to strength my mind-body connection. I look forward to buying a copy when it publishes! -- Ashley Gordon * NetGalley * This book was beautifully done. A mix of affirmations and journaling. It actually really did help me feel in touch with my body and start my journey to healing my relationship with food! -- Kayla Lloyd * NetGalley *