When healthy eating is no longer healthy.
You’re scrolling through TikTok and come across the 100th “what I eat in a day” video. You watch it for meal inspiration but feel insecure afterward.
You think, “maybe cutting out carbs is the way to go if I can look like that.”
At the grocery store you read every food label, trying to figure out what’s “bad” so you can avoid it. You swear off your favorite pint of Ben & Jerry's and restrict fat and carbs from your diet.
You’ve stopped going out for lunch with friends because trying to figure out what’s the “healthiest” option just feels impossible.
What started off as a desire to be healthier has turned into food feeling like it dictates your whole life.
Are you noticing any of the following:
An obsession with eating “clean”
A fixation on only eating foods that are healthy
Following strict food rules or rituals
Avoiding different food groups altogether
Guilt after eating something “unhealthy”
If any of the above resonates with you, you may be experiencing a pattern of eating called orthorexia. Continue reading to learn more.
What is orthorexia?
Orthorexia is a disordered eating pattern that centers around an obsession with eating foods that are “clean” or “pure.”
It typically starts off with a desire be healthy, but ultimately cutting out certain food groups leaves you missing key nutrients, affecting physical and mental health.
Maybe you tie your self-worth into what you eat, and eating something “bad” causes guilt to kick in. You may struggle to enjoy eating with others and find yourself preoccupied with thoughts about food.
Currently, orthorexia is not a diagnosis but it can still disrupt your life.
Healing is possible at Sage Mind Counseling and Wellness.
I support college students and young professional women on their journey to develop a healthier relationship with food and their body. Learn more about me here.
How therapy for orthorexia can help:
Learn to neutralize food, so there is no “good” or “bad”
Begin to challenge food rules and beliefs
Start to let go of shame and guilt around eating certain foods
Ready to have a more balanced relationship with food?
This isn’t something you need to face alone. Learn more about therapy for disordered eating and reach out if you’re wanting more support on your healing journey.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to get started.
