08/13/2019
Orthorexia or 'eating oh-so perfectly that it becomes unhealthy'.
Whether this term ever acheives diagnostic status, the reality is that this attitude appears to be becoming more and more prevalent. Of course, this is a complex issue.
On the one hand, eating a standard american diet (SAD), is not conducive to good health, so some attention and consciousness around food and eating is necessary to be any sort of healthy.
But if food choices prevent someone from attending parties or family events, if they become isolated then those can be red flags. Two people can be eating the same foods but have completely different attitudes and behaviors around them.
Food is nutrition, but it is also much more than that. It is social, it is connection, it is celebration, it is enjoyment.
One of my instructors once told me: "It's better to share a hotdog with a friend than always eating rice and beans alone". Do your best most of the time. Make changes that move you towards better health but don't be afraid or upset at a slip-up. When you choose to eat something, eat it with gratitude and enjoyment.
In general, I work with patients to promote a more inclusive diet, that encompasses an "eat more" mentality. Eat more greens, eat more seeds, eat more variety etc.", rather than an "eat less" restrictive focus. Eating more of many things begins to out-crowd the types of things that are less conducive to wellness.
Finding what works for you is the most important thing.
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