Should you let Your Kids Eat Junk Food? The Answer is Yes. Some of the Time.

Before I had kids, I worked in The Children’s Eating Lab at Penn State University. As a young, idealistic, somewhat naïve graduate student, I developed all sorts of ideas about how I would feed my future children. At the time, I was subsisting on a diet comprised of far too much pasta (it’s cheap) and … Continue reading Should you let Your Kids Eat Junk Food? The Answer is Yes. Some of the Time.

Barbie is a Swimsuit Model: Fake, Enhanced, and Literally Plastic

Two of my least favorite cultural phenomena have joined forces:  Barbie and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.  For its 50th anniversary edition, Sports Illustrated has chosen to feature a variety of iconic models in swimsuits ranging from Christie Brinkley to Tyra Banks.  Also included in this issue of real life bathing beauties is the plastic … Continue reading Barbie is a Swimsuit Model: Fake, Enhanced, and Literally Plastic

It’s That Time of Year

It stinks to be a psychologist who studies eating this time of year.  It stinks because I feel like you do.  I feel gluttonous, overstuffed, tired, and both sad and relieved that the holidays are over.  I want to set some New Year’s resolutions that will save my psyche and leave my pants a bit … Continue reading It’s That Time of Year

What’s in a Title?

My book won’t be released for over six months and yet the title has already gone through four iterations.  Some of the early titles seem silly now, so I won’t even tell you about them.  (And, it turns out that there were a few other books with “The Last Diet” in the title.) But, when … Continue reading What’s in a Title?

Making Money Making Us Fat

My 8-year old son is obsessed with the video game Mine Craft.  He organizes his free time around it, talks incessantly about “levels,” and refers to the miner “Steve” during dinner.  I often worry about his obsession – but to be fair, I often obsess over what I’m into, too.  I think about what I … Continue reading Making Money Making Us Fat

For the Love of Food

You may have a loving relationship with a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife.  You likely have a relationship with a mother, father, step-mother, or step-father, at least one of whom you care about a great deal. Many of you likely have relationships with children that you adore and good friends that you don’t want to … Continue reading For the Love of Food