In this day and age when we are completely obsessed with putting labels on everyone, even eating healthy can be considered a disorder. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, the disorder orthorexic is described as “an emerging eating disorder marked by extreme devotion to healthy food.”
Orthorexics are typically raw food enthusiasts, vegetarians and vegans that obsessively check food labels, avoid junk food, plan menus and often eat a healthy diet so they can feel “pure.”
What is the problem with being concerned about what you ingest? Some believe the problem is not that these people want to eat healthy; it’s that they are completely preoccupied with planning their next meal. The article also goes on to say that because Orthorexics often refuse to eat out, shunning restaurant food that is fraught with artificial ingredients, they may suffer from isolation and depression.
I’m not sure I buy into this whole thing. I can see how being completely obsessed with anything can hinder one’s progress in life, however I think there is an important distinction that needs to be made between people that are just concerned about being healthy and those that are all-consumed by it.
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current research in psychology for bulimia in children (4/17/2008)
3 Comments to
“Overly preoccupied with health food?”
i am going to chew on my words for a while before i say anything…they need to be pure.
the story in the article sounds like a plug for whole foods grocery; they probably advertise in the chicago trib. the disorder seems pretty harmless as far as diagnosis goes say compared to smoking or anorexia as a life shortener. if it’s anything it’s a mild form of ocd. if only we could put drugs in their milk we could cure them. poor orthorexics.
Consider this, veganism isn’t exactly supported in our society. So, of course they would have to plan their meals. Of course they would avoid restaurants. It’s not easy to for non-carnivores to go anywhere in our society. I’m not a vegetarian, but I have to plan my meals weekly… but this is so I don’t stray from my grocery list. I’m on a budget! I guess what I’m saying is… baaaahhh to orthorexics. It sounds like just another label to me.
Consider this: veganism isn’t exactly supported in our society. So, of course they would have to plan their meals. (I’m not a vegetarian, but I have to plan my meals weekly… but this is so I don’t stray from my grocery list. I’m on a budget!) Of course they would avoid restaurants. It’s not easy to for non-carnivores to go anywhere in our society. I guess what I’m saying is… baaaahhh to orthorexics. It sounds like just another label to me.
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 15 Apr 2008
