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.
Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 15 Apr 2008
Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.
Bechdel, J. (2008). Overly preoccupied with health food?. Psych Central. Retrieved on May 20, 2013, from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/04/13/overly-preoccupied-with-health-food-you-might-have-a-disorder/
