We are constantly being overfed information on how to eat ‘healthy’ with so many different theories. In our day and age, striving for perfection regarding body image and self-confidence is not only affecting women, but men as well. So, what is orthorexia and how could it be affecting you?

Orthorexia, happens to be one of the most socially accepted (and sneaky) eating disorders that thrives on food(s) restriction, daily rituals with ‘can and cant’s’ attached to it, exercise rituals and so on. It is so easily hidden, especially in the workplace when colleagues tend to praise one another for being ‘so healthy’. I have to say, in my own experience dealing with something like this, so much of it is driven by anxiety and obsession for perfection that it can leave you feeling isolated and lonely.

So much unhappiness comes from not letting go and being able to enjoy certain foods, whether it’s for an ‘allergy’ or sensitivity, treating a chronic condition or simply using those reasons to consume the healthiest, home cooked meals to know caloric content and ingredients. It can be borderline or outright obsessive. So much restriction can lead to malnourishment, anxiety, depression and frankly, overeating foods that are ‘unhealthy’ creating a binge cycle in the long run.

When your self-esteem becomes everything you eat, drink and diet, there is little room for friends, family, work and the things you love. Emotional health declines because you’re feeling your body is never ‘good enough’ and the ideals and perfection supercede any type of  healthy behavior and become the actual opposite; an addiction to perfection. However, when you are actually dealing with an autoimmune disorder, allergies and/or sensitivities it’s hard to know the hard and fast rules as to how strict we need to go. Does the elimination of these foods override your happiness? Are you actually feeling better when they’re removed? Are you missing out on adventures, dinners and invitations that give you anxiety about ‘what can I eat’? I’ve been there.

Over the course of my own experience relating to food and autoimmune issues as well as working with clients, there is a profound link to orthorexia, just like any other eating disorder, to control addictive behaviors. It’s not that far off from alcoholism or nicotine addiction, or any type of addiction. If you think about it, any of those ‘diagnoses’ as we like to put it, will wonder: can I drink at this event or, where will I smoke? How will I get my fix? These are extreme examples, but again, socially acceptable behaviors that aren’t healthy may still be just that; unhealthy.

What makes orthorexia so unique to other disorders such as anorexia or obesity is that it’s not associated with the negative connotations with ‘losing control’, but considered to fixate on eating only foods that are considered to be healthy and pure.

In a cultural study led by the Dutch, Western culture was suggested to be quite high on the influence on the development of orthorexia due to societal transitions (epidemiological and welfare) and cultural ideas (body ideals and control over life), which is actually influenced by social media – not surprising! In fact, it was discovered that during an investigation, the link between use of Instagram and Orthorexia, there was a much higher risk of developing symptoms. 

So what are the symptoms of Orthorexia and how can you grab a hold of it?

• Obsessive concern over the relationship between food choices and health concerns such as asthma, digestive problems, low mood, anxiety or allergies
• Increasing avoidance of foods because of food allergies
• Noticeable increase in consumption of supplements, herbal remedies or probiotics
• Drastic reduction of acceptable food choices, that the sufferer may eventually consume fewer than 10 foods
• Feelings of guilt when deviating from strict diet guidelines
• Increased amount of time spent thinking about food and planning meals
• Thinking that anyone that doesn’t adhere to a strict diet isn’t ‘healthy’
• Worsening depression, mood swings or anxiety

These symptoms are so not fun, and are seriously just a few out of many that can affect one’s life.  If you’re feeling like your rigorous healthy way of living is starting to take hold of living, loving and joy it’s time to reach out for help. I’ve helped numerous women reframe their relationship with food, body image disorders, food addictions and address the underlying issues that can contribute to all of these types of behaviors. It’s something that many practitioners have had to grab a hold of on their own, myself included.

While eating healthy and feeling great is a huge part to living a great life, it’s only one part of our lives. Food is meant to be enjoyed, nourish our bodies, minds, souls and connect with friends and families!

References:

E. Syurina, Z. M. Bood, F. Ryman. Frontiers in Psychology. Cultural Phenomena Believed to Be Associated with Orthorexia Nervosa. 2018.

J. Strahler, A. Hermann, B. Walter. Journal of Behavioral Addictions. Orthorexia nervosa: A behavioral complex or a psychological condition? 2018.