Comments on: Orthorexia: Are You Obsessed With Eating the Right Foods?

By: Crystal Pryor

Crystal Pryor — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 16:53:02 +0000

My name is Crystal Pryor. I attend Kennesaw State University. I am working on a research project concerning Othorexia. I am primarily studying the various ways in which orthorexia is distinct from other disorders and why it should be an official diagnosis. Since, you have knowledge about the disorder, it would be an honor to conduct an interview with you via email. The interview should take approximately 20 minutes or more depending on your responses. I hope to hear from you.
,Thank you

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 19:01:56 +0000

In reply to Joanna. Well said! I have been on an autoimmune diet for a year. Lately I have been less vigilant and am suffering the consequences! Orthorexia is an unfortunate term born of unfortunate circumstances. For those "orthorectics" who are merely boycotting our sorry GMO, monsanto-infested, antibiotic-laden food supply, why should they be labeled, either? We need a revolution to change the power that be before we become a more crippled, sick nation. Yea, just wait for the new DSM! Ha!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 03:54:01 +0000

Great article! Your balanced perspective keeps me coming back to your site. I had several health (physical, emotional, mental) struggles going on at once several years ago. The doctor I was seeing put me on a super strict (clean eating) “diet.” I had to watch everything I put in my mouth. It got awkward around friends, family, etc trying to help me eat what I needed to. My food intake was very limited for probably a little more than 2 years, but long enough for me to start this health journey and enjoy exploring and researching for myself how to be healthier. Praise God I was able to overcome the struggles. Now (several years down the road), I feel free to eat what others prepare and for the most part, for me I can enjoy a meal or two without too much effect. For the past few years I have had some ups and downs -I used to stress about finding exactly the right thing to eat – but my sweet husband just keeps reminding me to “just make healthy choices.” (For instance, it’s ok to eat something kinda junkie but not a lot and when you have the option, just opt for the healthier.) So, whenever I’m tempted to be anxious about food decisions I try to live by the motto of “just make healthy choices.”

By: DC

DC — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 19:29:13 +0000

This is an interesting post that bears witness on what is occurring in the alternative health care industry with “summits” seemingly beginning every day and finding their way into inboxes as people look for answers to health challenge. That can evolve into an “obsession”, perhaps sharing some of the same underlying “stress related psychological factors” as anorexia nervosa. People want to get well and healthy eating makes all the sense in the world. But how much could “fear” be at the root of perpetuating whatever “dis-ease” is happening? Dr. Axe and others referenced the “fear” component as a real limiting factor in healing in his Healthy Gut summit. Hearing all the different points of view on summits like that can really result in one scratching their chin and saying “Is their any definitive way? From what has been presented in the summit, the answer is no”. And then more fear and anxiety can result. It is nice to see that Axe places importance on and shares avenues to reduce “fear” and stress patterns in one’s daily life as key to any healing, and these dynamics may be at the core of addressing what “orthorexia” may be. The challenge is finding the path to truly getting out of fear and stress and giving the body a chance.

By: Marlana Sherman

Marlana Sherman — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 19:25:29 +0000

I have heard of this term before. I agree with some of the other commenters people who have legitimate reasons for avoiding some foods will probably be seen as having this condition. Since I eat mostly whole foods now, I do not want fast food. It smells so horrible to me now. Same goes for baked goods made with lesser quality ingredients. I have tried eating salads that are not made from higher quality ingredients and they taste horrible. I am not obsessed with eating healthy. It is the only thing that my body craves now. Do I like having to prepare most of my meals from scratch all the time no but alternatives just do not taste as good.

By: Lin

Lin — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 19:22:01 +0000

I have leakygut, I destroyed my own health for over 50 years, eating every processed food product out there,sugar sodas you name it. Because processed food, fast food HAS ZERO NUTRITION!!! Not knowing they would kill me and now I’m paying for it. So I definitely read labels, eat organic fruits, veggies, and take supplements to heal my gut. Many people do not understand why I eat the way I do. I eat to live and make better choices, for two years now I and my family eat, gluten free, no pesticides, no GMOS, and drink filtered water! It has made all the difference in our lives. I’m on my way to recovery, my husband lost 100 lbs and will never go back to zero nutrition.
The article is not your best work.
God bless you!

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 16:53:36 +0000

I understand what previous commenters are saying concerning others’ perceptions of their vigilance when it comes to food choices (choices not really being the right word; perhaps necessities would be better). I am dealing with Bile Salts Malabsorption since giving up my gallbladder 21 years ago. Out of necessity I can safely eat about 15 foods. If I decide to try something else, I pay the price digestively, with many trips to the bathroom. If I happen to be with friends at a luncheon, I will most often take my lactose free cottage cheese, peaches on top, and gluten free rice crackers for crunch. That is what I eat, I don’t let it bother me, even though there are many scrumptious looking foods available. There is always someone who questions me, which usually results in a huge discussion and sometimes someone blurting out, “Oh, you mean those other foods give you diarrhea!” I wasn’t going to say that myself, and no harm is meant by others’ questions, it’s just unpleasant. I have what I have, and I pray for God to heal me. Until then, as long as we’re mobile, don’t worry about us. We’re doing the best we can.

By: watchmom3

watchmom3 — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 16:04:15 +0000

In reply to Joanna. I hear what you are saying, and as a person of many food allergies/sensitivities, I am constantly looking/watching what my family eats, especially my husband who has autoimmune issues that can literally put him in bed for weeks. Having said that, I appreciate this article, as I do have a daughter who is a recovering anorexic and is showing some signs of this. I have known it for awhile, but wondered if others were dealing with it. Yes, most of my family thinks we are nuts for the way we eat and they are sick most of the time. I know it is hard to go against mainstream anything. There is a fine line in helping people understand and just knowing that this is a battle and we must fight it for our health and happiness. Don't feel offended by this article, as it is important to recognize that there is a danger of this and THAT helps us fight too. I am a retired healthcare professional of 30 yrs. "Retired" because I wouldn't take a flu shot. I accept that they do not understand. Doesn't change the fact that a flu shot has the potential to kill me. God bless you in your journey. Evelyn

By: Marg

Marg — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 12:46:21 +0000

This is an interesting article. My daughter has an eating disorder and I do believe it started from the desire to be healthier. After doing some research in my own, I believe that, at least her anorexia/orthorexia is caused by a nutritional deficiency. Do you know of any research that has been done on that? I have found her some high supplements that have helped, and she always finds an excuse not to take them. Main stream doctors have not been helpful either. They insisted she go off the supplements. She is over 18 and listened to them and is struggling more. She is also dealing with Lyme disease. I do believe that is a factor with the antibiotics. I think an issue with yeast infections is also inhibiting the nutrients from being absorbed. Do you know if inexpensive vitamin deficiency test?

By: Joanna

Joanna — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 18:30:51 +0000

In response to the article on “orthorexia”, I am having a strong negative reaction to the use of this new term. I have autoimmune disease and so does my daughter at the age of 12. I have a son who also has multiple food sensitivities. We eat nothing out of a box and only non-gmo. I cannot tolerate nuts, seeds, grains, and even some things that are typically considered okay on an autoimmune diet. My concern about furthering the discussion on orthorexia is that I am confident that family and friends who watch how “careful” we are, already write us off as completely neurotic when it comes to food. And I guess out of necessity we are. (Ironically, I stumbled on this particular article looking for information on whether or not flax seeds used in baking are inflammatory). I think there is a fine line here. I am exhausted thinking about how to meet our nutritional needs on a limited diet with autoimmune disease and multiple food sensitivities. As someone who went undiagnosed with celiac disease for decades, I do have a fear of disease and not being around to raise my children. I would love to spend less time on food preparation and do some occasional fast food. That is not going to work for our family. Sometimes I wonder if I do take it too far. However, based on my research, there are real concerns about not heeding the warnings our bodies are giving us as well as ignoring basic laws of nature (breeding different species as is done in genetic modification). I am just concerned that embracing this new term will further minimize the concerns of my family and others like us. As a result, we will be doing all of this with even more judgment and a new label. It just leads to an even greater sense of isolation. Just yesterday I had to listen to my mom fuss at me because she fears I am going to give my daughter an eating disorder because I removed gluten from her diet (over a year ago when she tested positive for gluten sensitivity and even she doesn’t bring it up any more). I just wonder if these might be unintended consequences for alternative health professionals entertaining the use of this new label. I am sure no one who understands the importance of these issues wants to make an already difficult lifestyle even more difficult to follow. I am sure there is a place for a sensitive discussion about the topic with patients . However, I do not see the benefit of a new label. That is, unless of course, we want to further the purposes of big pharma and use it for billing purposes. Should “orthorexia” make it into the DSM, you can bet there will be a pharmaceutical solution around the corner. I say that confidently as a mental health professional of 15+ years.

By: Emily

Emily — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 03:20:06 +0000

What Reverse Osmosis would you personally recommend? Thank you.