The "new" eating disorder...

[fitoverforty]

I never thought I would see the day when trying to eat healthy whole natural foods and remove processed junk would be labeled an eating disorder in need of treatment. So "correct eating" is an eating disorder. What is wrong with this picture?

From an article on Yahoo Health today:
Orthorexia
What is orthorexia? Identified in 1997 by Colorado physician Steven Bratman, MD, orthorexia is Latin for “correct eating.” Here, too, the focus isn’t on losing weight. Instead, sufferers increasingly restrict their diets to foods they consider pure, natural and healthful. Some researchers say that orthorexia may combine a touch of obsessive compulsive disorder with anxiety and warn that severely limited “healthy” diets may be a stepping stone to anorexia nervosa, the most severe - and potentially life-threatening - eating disorder.
Those affected may start by eliminating processed foods, anything with artificial colorings or flavorings as well as foods that have come into contact with pesticides. Beyond that, orthorexics may also shun caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt, wheat and dairy foods. Some limit themselves to raw foods.

another link:
http://www.eatingdisordershelpguide.com/orthorexia.html

I understand that some people might take any thing to the extreme, but I think that anyone trying to make healthier choices, eat clean and remove unhealthy processed foods is not in need of therapy!

Thoughts?

[Boss Man]

I can sort of see where that is coming from.

I mean cutting Caffeine completely yes, or cutting Sugar compeltely yes and Dairy yes, but when it comes to so many things being eliminated it does look a bit obsessive, because instead of eliminating 1-2 types of foods or food contents, in some cases for medical reasons, it's about 7-8 different types.

I don't drink at all and have not had any caffeinated drikns for a few years now. I only ever drank something like Diet coke and usually no more than 2 cans a day, which wasn't often and normally I'd consume less than a can day as a weekly average, purely for the taste only.

Tea and Coffee I can't stand the smell of and Energy drinks like Red bull I can't see a need for at all.

[scottgaran]

Where things are taken to the point of obsession is when the person says they can't eat perhaps something if they haven't grown it themeselves. This would create a problem in society if they were out eating with people. It can become another way around the label of anorexia or some other disorder. Kind of like, I can't eat anything because I only eat what I grow myself, therefore I won't eat.

My problem is that everything now has to have a lable. Being a picky eater is not a disorder. I don't have a disorder, but I hate green beans. Society shouldn't have to find a label for me, other than Scott is picky! this is not a psychological diagnosis, just an observation!
Scott

[Boss Man]

You are number. You won't know what it is, but you are one, remember that

It might even be a vulgar fraction

[Callisto]

Eating disorder is really just a term for 'mental illness'. When you become obsessive about anything to the point of it interfering with your life and your health then you are suffering from a mental illness. This isn't about people who just eat 'clean' it's about people who eat clean to the point where it is interfering with their health- whether physically, emotionally or socially

[gympamela]

I could see how it could get out of hand. Just like body dysmorphic disorder. You start to get obsessed!! You want to look good, and get on the right track, but then every tiny thing is scrutinized! I look back on before I had my second child, when I was adamant about eating like a bodybuilder and working out because I was convinced I was fat. At 135, I looked AWESOME. I was convinced I was obese and putrid. Fast forward to today, at 175, and I would love to be 'fat' like I was before! Granted alot of my issues were due to a jerk ex who pointed out all my flaws, but that was then.

I do weigh all my food and measure and track it. I think that you DO have to be obsessive to be accurate.

[michelle21689]

Wow I didn't know there was a term for this. This happens to me and it comes and goes... There will be times when I work out and it lasts for a coupel weeks where I obsess with what's very healthy and what's not to the point I have a huge headache and I get hungry because I don't have healthy options and I'm surrounded by I guess "decent' food. It seems like almost every thing is not healthy for you! I guess I just need to incorporate a variety of food groups which I have been doing and eliminate fatty foods and just eat things in proportion and not over eat.

[rashikislet007]

I never thought I would see the day when trying to eat healthy whole natural foods and remove processed junk would be labeled an eating disorder in need of treatment. So "correct eating" is an eating disorder. What is wrong with this picture?

From an article on Yahoo Health today:
Orthorexia
What is orthorexia? Identified in 1997 by Colorado physician Steven Bratman, MD, orthorexia is Latin for “correct eating.” Here, too, the focus isn’t on losing weight. Instead, sufferers increasingly restrict their diets to foods they consider pure, natural and healthful. Some researchers say that orthorexia may combine a touch of obsessive compulsive disorder with anxiety and warn that severely limited “healthy” diets may be a stepping stone to anorexia nervosa, the most severe - and potentially life-threatening - eating disorder.
Those affected may start by eliminating processed foods, anything with artificial colorings or flavorings as well as foods that have come into contact with pesticides. Beyond that, orthorexics may also shun caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt, wheat and dairy foods. Some limit themselves to raw foods.

another link:
http://www.eatingdisordershelpguide.com/orthorexia.html/

I understand that some people might take any thing to the extreme, but I think that anyone trying to make healthier choices, eat clean and remove unhealthy processed foods is not in need of therapy!

Thoughts?

I never thought eating healthy foods and avoiding processed ones and something that I think will destroy my body will lead to illness. Wondering, in case I suffer from orthorexia, what will be the possible treatment for this? Hope to have your answer soon.


Hector

[Joety]

Obsession about natural organic food are quite common. I have seen some families having some extreme habits. Friend''s of mine, his parent refuse to have dinner in any restaurant caused they think the food is not healthy.
Eating healthy is good.. but not to the extreme. It becomes an obsession.

[SteVenBen]

I don't drink at all and have not had any caffeinated drikns for a few years now. I only ever drank something like Diet coke and usually no more than 2 cans a day, which wasn't often and normally I'd consume less than a can day as a weekly average, purely for the taste only.

[jared767]

I never thought I would see the day when trying to eat healthy whole natural foods and remove processed junk would be labeled an eating disorder in need of treatment. So "correct eating" is an eating disorder. What is wrong with this picture?

From an article on Yahoo Health today:
Orthorexia
What is orthorexia? Identified in 1997 by Colorado physician Steven Bratman, MD, orthorexia is Latin for “correct eating.” Here, too, the focus isn’t on losing weight. Instead, sufferers increasingly restrict their diets to foods they consider pure, natural and healthful. Some researchers say that orthorexia may combine a touch of obsessive compulsive disorder with anxiety and warn that severely limited “healthy” diets may be a stepping stone to anorexia nervosa, the most severe - and potentially life-threatening - eating disorder.
Those affected may start by eliminating processed foods, anything with artificial colorings or flavorings as well as foods that have come into contact with pesticides. Beyond that, orthorexics may also shun caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt, wheat and dairy foods. Some limit themselves to raw foods.

another link:
http://www.eatingdisordershelpguide.com/orthorexia.html/

I understand that some people might take any thing to the extreme, but I think that anyone trying to make healthier choices, eat clean and remove unhealthy processed foods is not in need of therapy!

Thoughts?

I never thought eating healthy foods and avoiding processed ones and something that I think will destroy my body will lead to illness. Wondering, in case I suffer from orthorexia, what will be the possible treatment for this? Hope to have your answer soon.


Hector

Since orthorexia is still a new concept of a psychological disorder, it is still under-researched and some successful treatments involve the same methods used when treating eating disorder.

For more information, you can check it here: http://www.ocdla.com/blog/orthorexia-ea ... ocd-2-1414