Never heard or knew of Orthorexia before this thread. Fortunately most of those I know have healthy relationships with food. It is troubling when folks have unhealthy food issues.
I’ve had some food allergies and sensitities all my life, but can minimize exposure without undue hardship. I read labels some but am fine with not reading them and don’t have to play 20 questions when we dine out (which we do often).
I do try to limit consumption of inflammatory foods but I admit I love tomatoes and peppers and potatoes, so try to limit intake.
I really feel for folks who battle with food issues. It must be very challenging!
It’s interesting that you mention Whole 30. Your D may have done the Whole 30 elimination diet as a limited trial, but I’d argue that Whole 30 is a poster child for a version of life long clean eating that definitely attracts the orthorexia crowd. Lots of promises re: improved health. Lots of rules.
Founder Melissa Hartwig has a link about Whole 30 & triggering disordered eating habits here:
If you have the allergy, you avoid that food. If you’re concerned about the use of, eg, peanuts or peanut oil in processing or cooking, you choose what’s most likely to be free of those. That limits your questions (or demands.) I somehow think people feel watching what you eat, putting some smart thinking into it, is some trial and you have to pursue it like getting to the Olympics. And everyone else is supposed to facilitate for you. The trick is often in just being happy with your plan, finding what does work for you. If you can’t deal with fat overload, skp the Alfredo, lol. We don’t need to get obsessed with obsessions, even here. That’s different than ordinary, smart cautions.
Even if you don’t have some med condition, our own genetics influence the success of any eating plan. And more science than we’ve yet discovered. I can eat dessert, when I diet. But one slice of cake lasts 3-4 days. I don’t even bake in a regular sized pan anymore. That’s not obsession. It’s the idea of “enough.”
Gouf, my grandmother loved fruits and veggies, did eat in moderation, generally skipped or limited the gravies and sauces. I remember the first time I did portion control on pasta (at home.) I was stunned at the comparison to a “portion” on a restaurant plate.
I recently heard Brady also has unusual exercise ideas. Fine. Works for him.
Lately, I heard all alcohol is bad for you, evenr ed wine. Sigh. Next year moderation will again be proclaimed ok. Same with recs on coffee/caffeine- every other study changes suggestions. Some doctor recently said we all have only so many beats of our hearts, over our lifetimes, so why exercise, just go take a nap.
@gouf78 You may be right that people suffering from orthorexia would have fallen pray to some other kind of eating disorder. The problem with this one is that it has the patina of health attached to it so people don’t realize they have a problem. Meanwhile they are suffering from anxiety, shame, isolation, etc.
A reminder for at least the second time in this thread that you aren’t necessarily going to know when someone has an eating disorder. People don’t walk around with a sign that says, “I’m bulimic” on them. So please don’t assume that you know no one with an eating disorder.
And yes, the % of people underweight represents a far, far smaller population than those overweight. Let’s not give any indication that being overweight is “ok” or “better” !
When obesity is considered a result of an eating disorder, maybe the conversation will be balanced. When eating vast quantities of fast processed food is considered disordered eating , maybe there will be less tsking about the veggie lovers. Humans LOVE novelty, short term love affairs with diets are always going to be a thing. And the death rate of thin people? People are often mighty thin when they are dying.
It can become an obsession. Or a fad for some. But I can see how premier athletes can get on board with it and have it tied into their entire way of life/training, etc.
Our grandparents (maybe great-grandparents) didn’t have fresh fruits or veggies out of season, and many were at serious risk of vitamin deficiencies. And of course if they were poor city dwellers, they likely didn’t have enough to eat and certainly didn’t have a balanced diet.
There are many people with disordered eating which has many forms. Orthorexia is just another name for a person who has disordered ideas about food. Once anything becomes unhealthy and obsessive, it can become a problem.
Some people don’t eat and obsess, some binge and purge, some just binge. Some exercise too much. Whenever someone does something to excess and can’t control it, it can become a problem. Doesn’t matter what the name is though.
Like any addiction, it’s hard to treat and people afflicted are resistant to any treatment. Just like someone addicted to alcohol, drugs or gambling.
I agree, @Sybylla , let’s not be too simplistic about people’s complicated relationship with food. If it were as easy as finding a plan that works, no one would be obese nor anorexic.
LOTS of people regulate their emotions with food, either by restricting it or eating way too much.