Orthorexia: When Healthy Eating Becomes Unhealthy

Hello Ziddis! Did you know that even though “healthy eating” is important, when taken to an obsessive level, healthy eating is no longer healthy? Orthorexia is the name given to this ‘grey’ area between discipline and obsession, where food is more than just a source of nourishment for the body.

Orthorexia

An “unhealthy obsession with ‘pure,’ ‘clean,’ or ‘perfect’ food” is termed as Orthorexia. Unlike other eating disorders, Orthorexia is based on the quality and control of food instead of the quantity of food.

Although the motivation for Orthorexia is to improve one’s health and possibly even increase one’s level of fitness, Orthorexia is still an “unhealthy obsession with the food one eats.” The signs for someone who is Orthorexic are very obvious, and some of these signs include:

• Being very particular about what is ‘allowed’ and what is ‘forbidden’ to eat
• Feeling nervous or guilty when food is eaten outside of what is termed as ‘clean’ or ‘pure’ food
• Spends too much time thinking about food
• Skipping social events where food is present
• Feeling superior to others due to food choices

Orthorexia Causes

There is no particular reason why a person may develop Orthorexia. It is a combination of various reasons. These may include psychological, cultural, and environmental factors.

1. Fitness and Wellness Culture

• The glorification of “clean eating” and extreme discipline on social media
• The influence of social media on promoting restrictive and fear-based nutrition
• The pressure to look a certain way or follow an “ideal” diet

2. Desire for Control

• Seeking control in a chaotic world through food
• Seeking structure and predictability in food

3. Perfectionism

• Black-and-white thinking: food is either good or bad
• Fear of mistakes when it comes to diet and nutrition

4. Health Anxiety

• Overblown fear of getting sick, exposure to toxins, and “unclean” foods
• Overanalysing nutrition facts and trends

Orthorexia Treatment

The approach to treating and curing Orthorexia is based on the development of a healthy and balanced relationship with food.

1. Professional Help

• Counselling and therapy, especially cognitive behavioural therapy, from a nutrition expert, to overcome inflexibility

2. Learning Flexibility

• Learning to gradually eat foods that have been considered “forbidden”
• Learning that all foods can be part of a healthy diet

3. Overcoming Underlying Causes

• Overcoming the underlying causes of perfectionism and anxiety
• Learning the true meaning of the word “health”

Orthorexia Diet

There is no specific diet that is considered an “orthorexia diet,” but certain patterns have been identified with people suffering from Orthorexia:

• Eliminating certain food groups, such as carbohydrates, fats, and processed foods
• Not wanting to eat out or eat foods prepared by other people
• Obsessing over the ingredient and source of food
• Focusing on the idea of “clean” foods and not the nutritional value of food

Ironically, this leads to:

• Nutrient deficiency
• Lack of energy
• Hormonal imbalance
• Developing an unhealthy relationship with food

A healthy diet is not only about nutrients but also about flexibility, variety, and sustainability.

Healthy Discipline vs. Obsession

1. Balanced Nutrition:

• Offers flexibility
• Covers all food groups
• Is stress- and guilt-free
• Is compatible with lifestyle

2. Orthorexistic Behaviours:

• Is inflexible and structured
• Is stressful and guilt-inducing
• Is inhibiting social life
• Is fueled by fear, not nourishment. By adding fit foods to your diet, you can begin to develop a healthy munching habit, and oats protein are an excellent way to begin your day with.

Read Also: The Blue Zone Diet: What to Eat to Live Longer

Takeaway

As with all things in life, orthorexia reminds us that even healthy things can become unhealthy when taken to an extreme. Balanced nutrition is not about being perfect; it is about being balanced, flexible, and stress-free. If you can live your life with a nutrition pattern and it is not controlling your life, then you know you are on the right track.