Optimal Nutrition vs. Orthorexia

By Dr. Eileen Park

Did you know that there is such a thing as ORTHOREXIA?  Last May, CBC News published an article about this topic and I found it fascinating because it is something that I talk about with my patients from time to time.

 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/orthorexia-takes-healthy-eating-to-the-extreme-1.2649838.

 

Orthorexia is a type of disordered eating that describes what happens when a desire to eat healthy and pure foods becomes an unhealthy obsession.  Unlike other clinical eating disorders, this unhealthy obsession is more about food quality instead of food quantity.  Similar to other eating disorders, it is not really about the food, but tends to mask underlying issues such as anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorder.

Some people have asked me questions such as, “How can I not get anxious about what to eat and feed my family when there is constantly new research about foods that are harmful or beneficial are often conflicting and when there now seems to be something wrong with every food? Is calcium good or bad?  Is coffee good or bad?  Should I go gluten free? Grain free? Sugar free? Fat free? Vegan?   Do I have to eat everything organic?” The correct answer is that every individual has different requirements and will be affected differently by various eating styles.  Therefore, it is critical to seek guidance from a professional to determine the best individualized plan for you.

A large part of my role as a Naturopathic Doctor is to educate my patients about optimal nutrition and eating well for their individual makeup because the root cause of many chronic illnesses are linked to diet & nutrition.  However, instead of becoming liberated by knowing what is good vs. bad for us, the “rules” become suffocating and the problem arises when “it’s all-consuming and that initial motivation to be healthier is no longer part of the story.”  Now, some of you are on very restricted diets due to your specific health concerns and making such drastic changes can feel overwhelming and feel like your life revolves around making these changes.  There is no question that implementing changes often requires discipline, dedication and focus for a period of time.  However, perspective is everything.  If you view this process as something that is liberating and remember that wellness is the goal instead of focusing on feeling restricted and being fearful, you may find that one day you have made a lifestyle change that you barely have to think about on a day to day basis.  Let us always take a step back and see the bigger picture.