| Health Foodie or Health Fetish? |
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| by Diet Detective Editorial Staff | |
| Friday, 07 July 2006 | |
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Do you feel intense guilt when straying from your diet? Do you choose your meals first, and then plan your day accordingly? Have you eliminated once favorite foods from your diet because you've decided they are "bad" foods? Do you isolate yourself from friends, family and social gatherings because the food served won't be "right"? Is it possible to love health food just a little too much? Do you feel intense guilt when straying from your diet? Do you choose your meals first, and then plan your day accordingly? Have you eliminated once favorite foods from your diet because you've decided they are "bad" foods? Do you isolate yourself from friends, family and social gatherings because the food served won't be "right"? Is it possible to love health food just a little too much? If you answered "yes" to several of the questions above, you may have crossed the line between healthy and obsessed. In fact, there is now a term to describe this preoccupation with healthy food: Orthorexia. This term originates from the Greek word ortho, meaning straight and correct. Orthorexia is not recognized as a true medical condition -- rather, it is a term recently coined by Steven Bratman, MD to describe an "obsession" with healthy food. In today's world, high fat, high calorie foods can be found nearly EVERYWHERE food is sold, making it very easy to succumb to an unhealthy diet. Finding healthier types of edibles, on the other hand, require more dietary vigilance. The question is, "when does the quest for a healthy diet become an obsession?" A healthy diet is defined differently for all people. After all, food and eating are complex issues, which can't be simplified into just "good" and "bad." Food nourishes you, fuels your body, helps keep you healthy, and can even ward off disease. Food also holds social, cultural, religious, and emotional significance, not to mention flavor and pleasure. Choosing foods ONLY for nourishment, while excluding these other very important factors, can be an indication that you're heading towards obsessive eating. The key to a healthy diet is balance. All foods consumed in moderation can fit in a healthy diet. I haven't met a nutritionist yet who doesn't enjoy a good glass of wine, crisp French fries or an ice cream sundae with the works... OCCASIONALLY. Make it a point to choose healthy foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean sources of protein and dairy EVERYDAY, but don't forget to treat yourself now and then as well! Bookmark:            Trackback(0)
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