This was an incredibly informative and thought-provoking read. I found myself connecting deeply with the author’s experiences, especially as someone who grew up in a Caribbean household in America. Food wasn’t just food. It came with rules, expectations, and guilt. Wasting it wasn’t an option, which taught me to ignore what my body was telling me.

By the time I was 15, I had developed an eating disorder and a terrible relationship with food. It felt like the enemy, and I stopped eating for long periods of time. As an adult, I’ve worked hard to build a healthier relationship with food, but it’s still a struggle.

This book hit home as it explored the connections between racism, generational trauma, eating disorders, and mental health. I gave this book 4 stars because, while the content was impactful, it became a bit repetitive at times. Still, I’d recommend it to anyone looking to understand the deeper ways our histories and traumas shape our relationships with food and ourselves.

Review of Reclaiming the Black Body

Reclaiming the Black Body is a transformative exploration of the historical, cultural, and spiritual narratives surrounding the Black body. The book offers a nuanced and deeply moving discussion of how the Black body has been commodified, politicized, and dehumanized over centuries—and more importantly, how it can be reclaimed through resistance, self-determination, and collective healing.

What sets this book apart is its blend of rigorous scholarship and profound storytelling. The author masterfully weaves historical analysis with personal anecdotes and cultural critiques, grounding the text in the lived realities of Black communities. Each chapter serves as a blueprint for reclaiming autonomy, centering themes such as body sovereignty, ancestral connection, and cultural reclamation.

The author also challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about how systems of oppression—colonialism, slavery, and capitalism—have shaped perceptions of Blackness and physicality. Yet, the book is not mired in despair. It is a celebration of resilience, artistry, and the indomitable spirit of Black people who continue to reclaim their humanity and redefine their narratives.

Reclaiming the Black Body is both an intellectual and emotional journey. It is a vital read for anyone invested in racial justice, cultural history, or holistic approaches to healing. This book is an invitation to reimagine the Black body as a sacred site of power, beauty, and liberation. It will leave readers not only informed but inspired to engage in the ongoing work of reclamation and resistance.

Highly recommended for educators, community leaders, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of Black identity and liberation.

Jacqueline's Review: Reclaiming the Black Body by Alishia McCullough was a very thought provoking book that addressed issues within the Black community that I had never considered. Appreciated her detailed discussion and focus on the impact of generational trauma on eating behaviors as a, for me, completely new area of consideration impacting Black mental health. Definitely recommend for anyone wanting to learn more.

La recensione di Jacqueline: Reclaiming the Black Body di Alishia McCullough è stato un libro che mi ha fatto riflettere e che affronta temi della comunità nera che non avevo mai considerato. Ho apprezzato la discussione dettagliata e l'attenzione all'impatto dei traumi generazionali sui comportamenti alimentari, un'area di considerazione per me completamente nuova che ha un impatto sulla salute mentale dei neri. Lo consiglio sicuramente a chiunque voglia saperne di più.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

Thank you for Penguin Random House and NetGalley for an ARC of Reclaiming the Black Body by Alishia McCullough. It is a profound exploration of the overlooked impact of disordered eating on Black women, framing it within the larger context of racial trauma and societal oppression. It delves deeply into eating disorders and how it shows up in the body. I liked that it was told from the perspective of a mental health therapist with her personal stories intertwined as well as tools to heal within.

This was a really informative and super insightful read. At times, it was too much information to process but there are many things I enjoyed and learned from this book. I am intentionally reading books to help validate my experiences and life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group ​& Random House -The Dial Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review

I want to give a big thank you to Random House Publishing, Dial Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of Alishia McCullough’s important and provocative call for healing the relationship that Black women and femmes have with their bodies in her book Reclaiming the Black Body: Nourishing the Home Within. I was a little surprised that I received a personal invitation to review this book. As a Cisgender white male, it seemed like this book’s audience was a different demographic. However, after reading the book, I am so grateful that Dial Press and Random House sent the book my way. Even though the book was mostly focused on the health, mental wellbeing, and self-care practices of Black women and femmes, there was much I could relate to, and I can see how McCullough’s purpose in reclaiming the Black body has a direct connection to other authors and texts in the African American literary cannon.

McCullough starts her book with an important argument by noting that in her work as a therapist primarily focused on food imbalances (or what is clinically often referred to as eating disorders), most of the research and therapies were designed with white, female populations, probably from socio-economic status where they had access to treatments, facilities, and therapists. She also notes the continued trauma that Black people, especially Black women (and femmes) have undergone throughout history. As I was reading the introduction and first chapter, I couldn’t help but think of the scene in Toni Morrison’s Beloved where Baby Suggs, the main character’s mother-in-law, encourages a congregation of formerly enslaved people to love themselves, to love every part of their body. Baby Suggs goes on to identify each body part, encouraging the congregation to engage in this loving act of self-care and nourishment, not only as individuals, but also as a community who has been fragmented and separated. Nearly 30 years after Morrison’s book, Ta-Neihisi Coates also wrote about his fears of losing his body, and his son’s body, to the violence of systemic and racial discrimination. I remember reading that section shortly after my son turned one and both empathizing with Coates but also being aware of my privilege that I would never experience that kind of threat of loss. McCullough’s book also helped me better understand the kinds of threats, violence, and trauma that Black women experience, especially in a society that is increasingly “health conscious”, but also dominated by images, ads, and products mostly marketed towards a white idea of health. In fact, McCullough’s arguments and calls to reclaim Black bodies reminded me both of Baby Suggs’ loving call for a community to piece itself together after the trauma of slavery, and of Coates’ anger, fear, and frustration at witnessing the deaths of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Renisha McBride, and John Crawford. McCullough also shares other people of color who have been murdered by individuals and police to strengthen her argument about both the need for increased health and the threat to health that Black Americans routinely face.

Beyond this kind of violence, McCullough presents other ways that Black health has been limited or attacked, whether it is bias in the medical profession or by bias against foods. Reading more about these biases was an eye opening experience, supported not only with clinical examples from McCullough’s practice, but also from her own experiences. I really appreciated her bravery and candor in exploring her own experiences—the comments and assumptions from friends and family, the questions and boundary pushing from colleagues and co-workers—the one incident that McCullough experienced after removing braids was so shocking. However, she aptly uses these experiences to provide real world examples of the kinds of barriers, biases, and aggressions that Black women face on a daily basis. Furthermore, I feel like this book challenges many assumptions about Black Americans, especially Black women. I remember learning more about relational aggression in grad school, and how there was like no research on relational aggression with Black adolescent girls. The research claimed that Black girls didn’t engage in this kind of relational aggression, and that they tended to have higher self-esteem due to positive body images. And while McCullough discusses some of the body positivity movements that have largely been supported by Black women, her research and work shows that Black women are also impacted by eating imbalances, concerns about their bodies, and other threats that are complicated by their intersectionality as both Black and women, and possibly members of other identities.

In addition to presenting the issues related to the lack of research and eating imbalances that Black women face, McCullough has also developed guided practices and reflective questions at the ends of each chapters, so the book focuses more like a workbook that supports continued growth and development to learn habits that will help restore individuals. I can see myself coming back to many of these guided practices, which seemed both soothing and confrontational—in a good way—challenging readers to look closely at the roots of some of their imbalances. The reflective questions were also really useful to dig deeper and exploring our relationships to our eating, the foods we choose, and our bodies, among other things. As a white reader of this book, it was also important for me to learn more about the kinds of racism, biases, and implicit assumptions that Black Americans face. Furthermore, as a father of a daughter who is in a big body and someone who has struggled with his own weight issues when I was younger, I can appreciate McCullough’s focus on the kinds of experiences early on that often shape our ideas about our bodies in adolescence and beyond. It was surprising to hear some women express a desire to grow bigger to avoid attention, while other women wished to become invisible for the same reasons. I’ve always tried to be sensitive to my daughter’s weight, but it is really hard to shield her from the onslaught of images and ideals that are presented in society on a daily basis. In fact, a recent experience at a dance class, where she had to have a dance outfit specially ordered because she is larger than the other girls in the class, made me think more about this book and how so much of society and culture is made for a norm that is not really dominant in society. People are just expected to conform and not really challenge the ways things are; however, McCullough’s book reminded me that we need to fight continually for fair and equal treatment and access to better foods, therapies, and materials for all. I also wanted to mention that McCullough’s book reminded me of another book I read recently about restoring practices to restore health The Seven Circles: Indigenous Teachings for Living Well by Chelsey Luger and Thosh Collins. In this book, Luger and Collins advocate for a return to more traditional ways for better health and a connection to the earth. McCullough also makes her case about returning to more traditional ways which allows us to integrate more with the earth and nature. That was just another beautiful element about this powerful book that makes it compelling and necessary to read. I hope that McCullough continues to work with others, but also creates more books, workshops, and resources to support people to regain balance and restore their wholeness once again.

Reclaiming the Black Body is about Mental Health, Diet Culture, Beauty Standards, Medical Racism, Food Deserts, fatphobia etc and WHEW! I would recommend this book to any Black woman or GNC person on a body acceptance journey. It’s very eye opening as eating disorders and like are not something that is talked about much in our community. You can tell this was written with a lot of love and care.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC

If I were to give this book a one-word review, it would simply be "Wow". I've read many mental health-focused books in my time and this was one of the best I've ever read, if not the best. The author touched on many facets of what makes up our bodies and the social and environmental impacts. I am a white, afab person, so there were several parts of this book that I couldn't relate to in my personal life, but I am certainly better for knowing regardless.

Reclaiming the Black Body is a nonfiction book that weaves in personal experience, scientific information, and client testimonials to show the broader tapestry of dieting and easting disorders, especially within the Black experience. Despite being data driven, it's written very well and easy to understand. It's also very personal and so it often reads like a memoir or personal essay. Even if nonfiction isn't really your thing, it's informative but easily digestible. I think it's a great self-help read regardless of race if you're someone who has struggled with diet culture or ED. And I would especially recommend that every psychology program use this book to have Black voices and experiences in the curriculum!

Thanks to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a powerful book that speaks to a variety of experiences — while I do not share these experiences, I recognize the insights of the author, and I believe this book would be a strong addition to a classroom shelf, public library, and personal library. This seems to be the kind of book that could bring healing and reconciliation for readers who share the identities and experiences represented therein.

Reclaiming the Black Body is a book about a closely regarded secret often held within the black community about disordered eating. It's not a topic that I've seen made available to the masses via colloquially retellings and or documentary filmmakers as with other nationalities. As with most things disordered eating affects all communities and can be culturally significant in a variety of ways depending on the experience.

A bit repetitive here and there I think it was effective in making the connection between the societal implications of cultural practices and their contributions to disordered eating.

While this was not a compendium or even a clinical tool for disordered eating it does provide awareness and exposure which could help people seek help and that is worth the effort.

There are many things I enjoyed and learned from this book. My main issue with it though is that after a while is seemed a bit repetitive in info. I like how it has practices and questions to ask yourself at the end of each chapter for those who want it, but they seemed to be a bit long and many seemed unnecessary and/or not very helpful.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. I originally picked it because of the subject matter and the cover. The entire pushed under the rug black women disordered eating hits home for a lot of ADOS families. It was actually very eye opening for me. Some of the impacts of our society I had completely not even thought about making the connection but when McCullough did it was quite surprising, it makes so much sense. I took my time with this book and enjoyed this read.

An accessible exploration of disordered eating in the Black community. The author does a wonderful job addressing this topic holistically, beyond mental health framing. She touches on generational trauma, systemic racism, environmental racism and so much more that contribute to disordered eating but also how we heal.

This was a really informative and super insightful read. I loved that the author was able to provide culturally relevant explanations for so many patterns related to disordered eating.

“Reclaiming the Black Body” is very informative and thought-provoking. I’m one of the many who’ve never considered the different types of eating disorders nor their causes and effects, especially on Black women.

The author does so much with this book. It’s almost as if you’re having a personal therapy session with her. It’s easy to read, digest, and restorative to your mental well-being.

I was sent a copy of this book and started reading without any real idea of what it was about, but I’m so glad I did.

Thank you, Alishia, for taking the time to pen this book. We, as a community, definitely need it.

Reclaiming the Black Body is an important and insightful read about disordered eating amongst black women. The author shares her story and provides us with a road map on how to heal our mind and body while finding peace within ourselves. This was a very healing read, one that changed my life and that I'm very grateful to have read.

In "Reclaiming the Black Body: Nourishing the Home Within," Alishia McCullough, LCMHC, presents an essential exploration of the often overlooked impact of disordered eating among Black women. Drawing from her experience as a licensed mental health therapist, somatic healer, and eating disorder specialist, McCullough explores how racial trauma disrupts Black women's relationship with our bodies and food. This groundbreaking work asks readers to acknowledge and address the disproportionate effects of disordered eating within BIPOC communities. McCullough's approach integrates historical context, client stories, guided practices that encourage somatic embodiment and healing. She shares her own experiences as a Black woman from the South (who is also the eldest daughter in a sibling group of three and a first generation college student), providing a comprehensive and empathetic road map to healing the mind, body, spirit connection.

As a bibliotherapist, I find "Reclaiming the Black Body" to be a significant addition to the literature on eating disorders and racial trauma. McCullough honors the contributions of Black feminist thinkers and emphasizes that eating disorders are biopsychosocial-spiritual conditions impacting diverse individuals. She roots disordered eating behaviors in the history of slavery and generational trauma, highlighting the need for culturally informed care. By rejecting patriarchal and white supremacist frameworks, McCullough offers a decolonized perspective that is both validating and ground breaking. This book is invaluable for anyone seeking to heal their relationship with food and their body, particularly within the context of systemic oppression and cultural trauma. One quote that resonates deeply is: "Healing can be a lonely journey; it requires faith and surrender to the process of becoming undone and unraveled so that you can be fully transformed."

McCullough offers Black women and femmes a pathway to restoration and reconnection within our bodies that honors our ancestral inheritances. She does not moralize health. Instead, she teaches us to honor the ways we have been impacted by culture and systemic issues so that the true self can reemerge and move beyond the trauma rooted in survival. Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!

McCullough’s groundbreaking work radically validates the lived experiences and generational traumas of BIPOC communities. We need more book about this to really addressing the need of black society life.