Orthorexia: when eating well turns into an obsession

2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 18:44

These days, everyone knows the importance of eating well to be and stay he althy, which in itself is an excellent thing, provided of course that you don't let this thought take over and control our lives.

We get told every day about a new superfood to add to our diet, a new extraordinary fish oil, a new diet to adopt to keep fit longer, in short, we are told bombards with information about everything we ingest. And, of course, we demonize processed foods, too s alty or too sweet, in short everything that constitutes the little guilty pleasures of the vast majority of us. If information is power, as the saying goes, we must however learn to use it wisely. Otherwise, the desire to eat he althily, positive at the base, can quickly turn into a nightmare.

Orthorexia demystified

Although it is not yet recognized as a real disease in the medical community, orthorexia, which is defined as "a neurotic behavior characterized by the obsession with he althy eating", nevertheless attracts more in addition the attention ofspecialists.

Unlike the anorexic or bulimic person, it is not the quantity of food ingested that worries the orthorexic person, but its quality. The latter therefore finds herself very anxious at the idea of eating foods considered unhe althy, processed, containing too much fat, s alt, sugar, preservatives, and so on. Results? Imposition of numerous dietary restrictions, concentration of all one's energy on planning, buying and preparing meals and gradual isolation (given the excessive complexity associated with dinners with friends or at restaurants).

This means that, even when it comes to "good habits", moderation always tastes better and that it is essential to know how to find a balance in all facets of your life.

Solutions

As with all other eating disorders, treatment for orthorexia begins with desensitization through gradual exposure to the food implicated in compulsive avoidance behavior. The idea is to reintroduce, little by little, different foods on the menu in order to bring the orthorexic person to realize that they do not have the expected harmful effects, and thus to reduce their anxiety in relation to these.

As parents, we set an example for our children in many areas, including of course food. That you strive to concoct he althy and balanced meals for your kids is of course a very good thing, but be carefulsimply not to establish too many prohibitions or to excessively demonize certain types of food. Remember it's all about balance and a chocolate bar or a bag of crisps once in a while never hurt anyone!

Because eating is one of life's great pleasures and it should always be that way!