In recent years, the push for clean eating has become more widespread, with many adopting healthier lifestyles and avoiding processed foods. However, experts are now sounding the alarm about a growing concern: orthorexia, a condition where individuals become excessively obsessed with eating only “pure” and “clean” foods, sometimes to an unhealthy degree.
What Is Orthorexia?
Orthorexia is a term used to describe a pathological obsession with eating healthy foods, far beyond normal health-conscious eating. Unlike disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, which focus on weight control or food restriction, orthorexia is centered on the desire to avoid foods that are considered impure, processed, or unhealthy. The condition involves rigid and extreme dietary rules, often creating anxiety and stress around food choices.
Elizabeth Dosoretz, the founder and CEO of Elite DNA Behavioral Health, explains that orthorexia is not about calorie counting or focusing on specific food groups but revolves around the need to control all aspects of what you consume to ensure it meets your definition of purity and health.
“It’s really a need to control factors and live by strict food choices, which can be a form of anxiety, somewhat similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder,” says Dosoretz.
The Rise of Orthorexia
Orthorexia has gained attention in recent years, particularly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With many people feeling a lack of control in various aspects of life, some turned to their diet as a way to regain some sense of control, leading to an increase in the condition.
Personal fitness trainer Liz Corrente also notes that the condition is characterized by a relentless focus on consuming only super-healthy foods, often creating stress and anxiety about any deviation from the strict dietary rules. This obsession with food purity becomes unhealthy when it interferes with daily life, relationships, and mental well-being.
Healthy Eating vs. Orthorexia
While eating healthy is beneficial for overall well-being, experts stress that taking it to an extreme can be damaging. Both Dosoretz and Corrente emphasize that moderation and balance are key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. “Anything in excess, or anything done to an extreme, is not sustainable,” says Corrente. “The most important thing is to maintain a balance between mind, body, and nutrition.”
The Need for Awareness and Support
Orthorexia, being a relatively new phenomenon, doesn’t yet have an official diagnostic code, making it difficult for health professionals to identify and treat effectively. Dosoretz stresses the importance of early intervention and education to prevent the condition from escalating into more severe mental health issues.
The message is clear: healthy eating is good, but it must be approached in moderation. The obsession with food purity can lead to stress, anxiety, and unhealthy relationships with food. Educating individuals about maintaining balance and seeking help early can help prevent the development of orthorexia and ensure that eating clean remains a positive, sustainable practice.
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