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Are “eating healthy” and “obsessed” synonymous?” [part 1 of 3]


Robyn Openshaw - May 20, 2011 - This Post May Contain Affiliate Links


Dear GreenSmoothieGirl (from Linda):

“I just received an e-mail earlier today from a friend who considers herself a very healthy eater (she’s a nurse) with a link to the following article “New Eating Disorders: Are They For Real?” about newly discovered or classified eating disorder, Orthorexia.

“It says: ‘Orthorexia is Latin for ‘correct eating.’’ Here, too, the focus isn’t on losing weight. Instead, sufferers increasingly restrict their diets to foods they consider pure, natural and healthful. Some researchers say that Orthorexia may combine a touch of obsessive compulsive disorder with anxiety and warn that severely limited “healthy” diets may be a stepping stone to anorexia nervosa, the most severe – and potentially life-threatening – eating disorder.’

“Linda continues: Okay, I say, but I am not “severely limiting” my healthful foods, I eat quite a variety, probably more than the average adult. My weight is well within normal limits, and I do not worry too much about calories or restrictions, other than making a clear attempt to eat unprocessed whole natural foods, as much raw as I can.

“So, this doesn’t seem to apply to me…. But then the article goes on to say…”Orthorexics: Those affected may start by eliminating processed foods, anything with artificial colorings or flavorings as well as foods that have come into contact with pesticides. Beyond that, orthorexics may also shun caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt, wheat and dairy foods. Some limit themselves to raw foods.”

“Hmmmm, like that is something bad, say, compared to eating unlimited junk food, highly processed food and foods with pesticides? But that was not enough: the article goes on to describe the TREATMENT the newly classified Orthorexic needs in order to be “cured”, I guess, of their disease/condition! Wow, this is the kind of stuff that I find myself running up against since I took up a whole foods, high raw diet just over two years ago.

“I say very little at this point to anyone about what I choose to eat or not, and this is very sad to me, since I am trying to just be the example of what good fitness/nutrition can be. This just seems to put the ultimate stamp of “disapproval” on the way many of us are choosing to eat to circumvent GMO, pesticides, processed foods and additives. Robyn, I have to give you credit that you can keep up the good fight despite resistance, but would love to know what you do when confronted with this type of information?

“This is the link: http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/new-eating-disorders-are-they-real.”

Robyn’s answer: in my next post!

Posted in: Whole Food

5 thoughts on “Are “eating healthy” and “obsessed” synonymous?” [part 1 of 3]”

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  1. Anonymous says:

    MGM, you’re hilarious! haha, I thought the same thing. Obviously, the people making these things up need to eat some more Omega 3’s because their brains are lacking in nutrition. It’s like middle school or high school all over again. Let’s point a finger at the the nice smart girl/boy to make ourselves feel better.
    All the healthy whole food eating people that I know would never stop eating. We love eating! We definitely don’t go without! In fact we probably munch on snacks and eat more often than others. I will admit, I am definitely super excited about all that I’m learning about being healthy and getting great nutrition, but how in the world is that a disorder? lol

  2. Anonymous says:

    I can see how someone who is already anorexic might use healthy eating as their excuse, but that is anorexia, not a raw foody disorder. If you really are a true whole foods, raw foody person then you know enough to know that you need to eat a variety and eat enough to sustain the body.

  3. Anonymous says:

    What about 100 years ago and more, they didn’t have supermarket with all the crap in it, they ate fresh food out of their garden and everything was home made, does that make them “ORTHOREXIA”…seriously!!!

  4. Anonymous says:

    I agree with Shannon & Kathy — this article seems to have omitted a crucial detail. As is, it clearly says that eliminating “processed foods, anything with artificial colorings or flavorings as well as foods that have come into contact with pesticides… caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt, wheat and dairy foods” might cause “potentially dangerous nutritional deficiencies… and can lead to the same emaciation and health risks seen with anorexia nervosa, can be socially isolating and can undermine personal relationships.”

    I just had to “say that” “out loud” in order to believe it — SURELY that’s not what they mean. It must be, like Shannon said, those behaviors in conjunction with anorexic behavior? I do have a friend who does THAT, and i am concerned abt another friend who eats nothing green (!!). But

    OMG YOU’RE GONNA LOVE THIS: Her aunt has recently been making & sharing green smoothies that she likes!! Mine are way too “green” for her, but she’s finally at least getting some vegetables into her life!

  5. This is truly absurd. I’m sad that the world has come to this level of ridiculous!

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