Orthorexia is a very newly coined term. What it actually means is a desire to eat pure, clean and healthy which has gone too far. It’s when a desire to eat right totally takes over someone’s life – leading to anxiety, guilt, self-judgment and often social isolation. It's the excessive preoccupation with avoiding foods perceived to be unhealthy.
I see that a mild for of this obsession is pretty much become the norm today. Every other person is talking about how they eat only "fat free" or "sugar free" or that they are following the gluten free trend or the low carb diet. People’s tendency to label foods as good and bad or demarcation of the time of day as good and bad time to eat is further proof of the matter. Our view on health without emphasizing the pleasures and enjoyment of food, and glamorising of certain foods as “miracle” foods, are taking us away from our traditional, healthy eating habits as well.
Now, know that just because you’ve decided to go low carb, try a detox diet or follow a strict eating regimen, doesn’t mean you have orthorexia. The problem is when your eating becomes increasingly restrictive, you get addicted to the weighing scale or shopping only from the "health food isle" at the supermarket which starts to negatively impact your self-worth, happiness and well-being. It's almost like an obsessive compulsive preoccupation.
If your so called healthy eating has become unhealthy, reach out to a registered dietitian. A registered dietitian can help reduce these food fears and create an approach to eating that is flexible, practical, less restricted and pleasurable.
I see that a mild for of this obsession is pretty much become the norm today. Every other person is talking about how they eat only "fat free" or "sugar free" or that they are following the gluten free trend or the low carb diet. People’s tendency to label foods as good and bad or demarcation of the time of day as good and bad time to eat is further proof of the matter. Our view on health without emphasizing the pleasures and enjoyment of food, and glamorising of certain foods as “miracle” foods, are taking us away from our traditional, healthy eating habits as well.
Now, know that just because you’ve decided to go low carb, try a detox diet or follow a strict eating regimen, doesn’t mean you have orthorexia. The problem is when your eating becomes increasingly restrictive, you get addicted to the weighing scale or shopping only from the "health food isle" at the supermarket which starts to negatively impact your self-worth, happiness and well-being. It's almost like an obsessive compulsive preoccupation.
If your so called healthy eating has become unhealthy, reach out to a registered dietitian. A registered dietitian can help reduce these food fears and create an approach to eating that is flexible, practical, less restricted and pleasurable.
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