Have you ever looked at a cooked vegetable and thought, "That's disgusting; how could you eat that?" You probably have at some point in your life, but was it because you were afraid not to eat said vegetable raw? Imagine being so concerned with the health benefits of the food you consume, you actually are doing harm to yourself.
Orthorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an obsession with consuming foods understood to be healthy. Now before you accuse your friend who enjoys eating salad all the time or refuses to drink as being an orthorexic, let's be clear: it's an all-consuming addiction and an outright refusal to eat anything considered the least bit unhealthy. Obviously, such a restricted diet can make it difficult for orthorexics to find food to eat in many situations, and furthermore their knowledge on nutrition may not be as accurate as they may think. Unfortunately, this leads many orthorexics to malnourishment.
Although I recognize orthorexia nervosa as a true mental disorder that requires a diagnosis and treatment from a professional, which I am in no way claiming to be, I believe today's diet fad culture is targeting vulnerable people who are trying to seek control in a life of chaos. Many people try to vigorously control certain aspects of their life when other things seem to be chaotic, and that can easily be shown in their diet. However, with overwhelming amounts of labels all over the grocery store, people are being misled as to what is really good for them.
"Gluten free," "dairy free" and "fat free" are all over the place. Vague seals such as "heart healthy" and "reduced guilt" convince people they are making a smart choice without a bold explanation of what that really means. Even celebrities are getting involved by endorsing diet programs and juice cleanses claiming to produce desired results for anyone. But how are we supposed to know if any of these things are really good for us? How reduced is that sodium content, and is it enough to have an impact on our bodies? Do food producers make up the taste of my food if they take out the fat with chemicals?
I recognize that this is a separate issue than working on a case of orthorexia nervosa, but I want to emphasize the importance of knowing what is good for you and your own biology. If we could change the attitude towards health in this country, I believe it would make many of those vulnerable to orthorexia nervosa less so. This is truly something everyone can benefit from.
There is a ton of information out there, but going to a medical professional and knowing what you need is the key to a happy and healthy life. My grandmother is sodium deficient and has to adjust her diet accordingly. One of my long time friends is a celiac, and she could die if she eats gluten. What they need, however, is certainly not the same as me or you. Health is an individual goal to strive for because, luckily, we are all unique. It's time for the focus on health in this country to turn inwards: stop searching for other's seal of approval, stop comparing yourself to others, and find your own "healthy" way of life.
