The importance of eating a healthy and balanced diet is something that has been drummed into us from a young age.

We all know that consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats is key to achieving optimal health and wellbeing. However, in recent years, the pursuit of healthy eating has become something of an obsession for many people.

The rise of social media, the popularity of diet culture and the constant bombardment of conflicting information surrounding food and nutrition have all contributed to the creation of a new phenomenon known as orthorexia – an unhealthy obsession with eating only “clean” and “healthy” foods.

What is Orthorexia?

Orthorexia is a term that was first coined in 1997 by Dr Steven Bratman, a doctor who found himself becoming obsessed with healthy eating.

He noticed that he was spending an inordinate amount of time thinking about food, scrutinising labels, and analysing every morsel that he was putting into his body. He also noticed that he was becoming increasingly isolated from friends and family, as he struggled to find restaurants or food options that met his strict dietary requirements.

Bratman eventually realised that his relationship with food had become deeply unhealthy, and that he was suffering from a form of disordered eating. Since then, the term orthorexia has been used to describe a similar condition – an obsession with eating only “pure” and “clean” foods, to the point where it becomes detrimental to a person’s physical and mental health.

How Does Orthorexia Develop?

Orthorexia often develops in individuals who are health-conscious and have a desire to improve their overall wellbeing through their diet.

However, over time, this desire for optimal nutrition becomes a rigid and inflexible set of rules that must be followed at all costs. These rules can involve obsessively checking food labels, avoiding entire food groups, counting calories or macronutrients, and cutting out anything that is deemed to be “unhealthy” or “impure”.

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People with orthorexia often target specific foods or nutrients as being dangerous or harmful, and may go to extreme lengths to avoid them. This can lead to a highly restricted and limited diet, which can result in nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, anxiety and depression.

Signs and Symptoms of Orthorexia:

• Obsessive interest in the quality, purity, and nutritional value of foods.
• Refusal to eat any foods perceived to be unhealthy or impure.
• Difficulty eating outside the home, or becoming anxious about eating in unfamiliar settings.
• Excessively researching and reading about food and nutrition.
• Restricting or eliminating entire food groups from the diet, such as carbohydrates or fats.
• Spending an excessive amount of time preparing and/or planning meals.
• Feeling guilty or upset after eating something perceived to be “unhealthy”.
• Experiencing social isolation or difficulty maintaining relationships due to food-related anxiety and restrictions.
• Unwillingness to be flexible or make exceptions, even for social or cultural reasons.
• Experiencing physical symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, or nutritional deficiencies.

Consequences of Orthorexia:

While orthorexia is not yet officially recognised as a standalone mental health disorder, it is still a condition that can cause significant harm to those who suffer from it.

The strict dietary rules and restrictions can lead to a highly limited and unbalanced diet, which can, in turn, cause nutrient deficiencies and physical health problems. Orthorexia can also have a negative impact on a person’s mental health, causing anxiety, depression, and social isolation. In extreme cases, orthorexia can even lead to anorexic behaviour, which can cause long-term damage to the body.

How to Overcome Orthorexia:

If you suspect that you or someone you know may be suffering from orthorexia, it is important to seek help from a qualified healthcare professional.

Treatment for orthorexia often involves a combination of therapy and nutritional counselling, with the goal of loosening the rigid dietary rules and achieving a more balanced approach to eating. It may also be necessary to address any underlying anxiety or depression, as these can often be contributing factors to the development of orthorexia.

In Conclusion:

While there is no doubt that eating a healthy and balanced diet is important for our overall wellbeing, it is equally important to maintain a flexible and positive relationship with food.

Orthorexia is a condition that can arise from a well-intentioned desire to eat healthily, but it can quickly become an obsession that takes over a person’s life and causes significant harm to their physical and mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling with an unhealthy preoccupation with food and eating, seek help from a qualified healthcare professional.