It was bound to happen… But a more ironic full-circle evolution could hardly be imagined. Science has now named yet another new eating disorder. Orthorexia is defined as an unhealthy fixation on healthy eating!
What could be more poerplexing for a sufferer than being compulsively fixated on eating healthy? Even good habits have their limites – both practical and emotional. Practicing healthy eatingtooo diligently can lead to seriooyus fundamental nutrition issues. Not the least of which is failure to incude a healhy variety of foods in your diet…
Orthorexia is real
That’s what science has named the new eaing disorder it says is affecting more and more Euro-American diners. You see indications of this dangerous trend on every hand: The protein and fibre crazes, the functional foods push, the new campaigns against artificial flavours and colours, the recent rise of the term ‘fake ingredients’…
Like the other major, recognized eating disorders, othorexia seems to be fuelled by fear – the fear that whatever we’re planning to eat may contain ‘bad’ stuff. Or may not include enough ‘good’ stuff.
It differs from the other most common eating disorders, though, in as much as it has no obvious out-ward physical symptoms. Orthorexia is purely an affliction of the mind – which can affect the body if it’s taken to extremes.
A 2023 study archived by ScienceDirect.com offers some helpful self-diagnostic tips…
My take
It’s easy to fall into the orthorexia trap… Especially if you’re a member of one of the younger gener-ations who admit they’re more concerned than their elders abiout ‘eating right’. It’s one of the most insidious addictions there is: too much of a good thing…
My questions to you…
Could you be orthorexic?
Had this week’s exposée on the new affliction moved you to check yourself against the ScienceDirect ‘symptoms’ list?
If you are applying yourself too diligently to the precepts of healthy eating…
Do you feel you can change your ways for the better? Or…
Do you feel so stuck in your ways that you might need professional help?
Muse on that!
~ Maggie J.