Contrary to what one might think, eating too balanced is not recommended. Just like anorexia and bulimia, the obsession with healthy food or orthorexia is an eating disorder. It is much less known than anorexia, yet 1 in 5 French people are affected to varying degrees. Here is the definition of this pathology, the risks it entails, and a test to determine if you are orthorexic.
Orthorexia is a word formed from the Greek roots orthos "right" and orexis "appetite". It refers to a pathology characterized by the obsession with always wanting to eat healthily. For orthorexic individuals, the nutritional quality of food takes precedence over its taste.
Pleasure foods like candies, cakes, pasta, pizzas, and many others are excluded from the diet of those suffering from this eating disorder.
When an orthorexic person consumes a pleasure food, they will immediately feel guilty and anxious about their action.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to eat healthily, you might say... It is true that from a strictly nutritional point of view, orthorexia poses no risk to health.
The only risks of this eating disorder are of a psychological nature. This pathology leads to various obsessive behaviors such as dependence, social exclusion, and above all, the loss of the zest for life.
Indeed, the perpetual quest for dietary perfection leads an orthorexic person to plan all their days, even their entire life, around their different meals.
The people most affected by orthorexia are adults, particularly women and athletes. These two population groups are especially exposed to the risk of developing this eating disorder.
If you are very concerned about eating healthily and have excluded foods containing gluten, lactose, sugar, or meat from your diet, you may be suffering from orthorexia. To find out for sure, take the test below by answering the following questions honestly:
- Do you spend more than 3 hours a day thinking about your diet?
- Do you plan your meals several days in advance?
- Is the nutritional value of your meal more important to you than the pleasure of eating it?
- Has the quality of your life deteriorated while the quality of your food has improved?
- Have you recently become more demanding with yourself?
- Is your self-esteem boosted by your desire to eat healthily?
- Have you given up foods you liked in favor of healthy foods?
- Does your diet interfere with your social activities, distancing you from your family and friends?
- Do you feel guilty whenever you stray from your diet?
- Do you feel at peace with yourself and think you have good self-control when you eat healthily?
If you answered yes to 4 or 5 questions: you should adopt a more relaxed attitude towards your diet. By focusing less on the composition of food, you will rediscover the pleasure of eating and going to restaurants.
If you answered yes to more than 6 questions: you may be orthorexic. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional to discuss it. Do not wait for food to become a problem and a source of anxiety before taking action.
Author Audrey on 31 May 2023
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Author Audrey on 01 September 2022
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