Orthorexia: An Unhealthy Obsession With Good Food

I saw this article on facebook on Friday, and wanted to read it.. I thought for a brief moment that I may have this... that was BEFORE I read the signs. And while I do for sure think about food at least 3 hours a day. ( # 8) I do allow myselfs treats.. maybe too often. I can EASILY see how this is something that people can have, I can also EASILY see that this is something I could have. ( I can also EASILY say that I am sure some people think I have this) . But I can say, no, this is not me..... if it was, I dont think I would still drink wine . ;)

Orthorexia: An Unhealthy Obsession With Good Food

Please welcome Registered Nutritionist, Nicola Graham from Eat Well NZ, to Dietriffic today, by leaving her a comment below and getting involved in the discussion ~ Melanie

Organic, raw food, gluten free, vegan and low sodium. Is this just a super healthy diet, or is it something else?

While it’s great to be into healthy eating, like everything, you can take it too far. When healthy eating becomes an unhealthy obsession, it’s bad for your body, mind and relationships.

Orthorexia is a condition where healthy eating becomes an obsession, and eating healthy food becomes the key thing in determining your self worth. Often, eating becomes extremely rigid, and only a limited number of foods are acceptable to eat.

In orthorexia, healthy eating isn’t healthy any more because the diet becomes so restricted, that a number of essential nutrients are lacking. Relationships can suffer, too, as orthorexics often avoid socialising because it may interfere with their dietary regimen

Here are 8 signs that your healthy eating might be an unhealthy obsession:

1. You Experience Guilt

You have feelings of self-loathing and guilt when you eat foods that don’t match your criteria for healthy eating.

2. You Avoid Socializing

Your food habits mean you avoid social events and meals away from home as much as you possibly can.

3. You Obsess Over What To Eat

You find yourself obsessing and worrying about food, and if what you are eating is healthy or “correct” all of the time.

4. You Avoid Certain Foods

You have very ridged eating patterns by choice, and avoid a large number of foods or food components to keep in line with your rules.

5. You Take Pleasure In Food Rules

You take more pleasure from knowing that your food meets all of your food rules, than you get from actually eating.

6. You Find Breaking Your Rules Stressful

You become stressed and anxious in a situation where you may have to break your criteria for healthy eating.

7. You Don’t Allow Treats

You completely avoid all, or most, of the foods you used to love eating.

8. You Are Constantly Thinking About Food

You spend more than three hours each day thinking about food.

If this sounds like you, or someone you know, I urge you to get in contact with your doctor for help and support to get back to a more balanced way of eating