Orthorexia should NOT be a disorder

[Anonymous]

If there is someone disordered on this thread, it is the people suggesting that eating McDonald’s crap and highly processed foods is no big deal, not OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If there is someone disordered on this thread, it is the people suggesting that eating McDonald’s crap and highly processed foods is no big deal, not OP.

Well, eating McDonald's or highly processed crap extremely occasional is actually not that big of a deal -- it might make you feel bad but it's not going to kill you if you eat fast food on a road trip a couple times a year.

But no one on this thread is arguing that junk food is good for you or that you *should* eat it -- pretty much everyone agrees it's bad for you and best avoided. But there's a difference between thinking McDonald's is not good for you (true), and thinking that all hamburgers or French fries are junk food (not true) or that anyone who eats McDonalds, or burgers, or fries, ever, is an unhealthy person (not true).

It's the severe, rigid, highly judgmental and moralistic approach to food that is a hallmark of orthorexia and it *is* a disorder. Because it's not really even about eating healthy or being healthy. It's about control, obsession, punishment, and judgment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If there is someone disordered on this thread, it is the people suggesting that eating McDonald’s crap and highly processed foods is no big deal, not OP.

Well, eating McDonald's or highly processed crap extremely occasional is actually not that big of a deal -- it might make you feel bad but it's not going to kill you if you eat fast food on a road trip a couple times a year.

But no one on this thread is arguing that junk food is good for you or that you *should* eat it -- pretty much everyone agrees it's bad for you and best avoided. But there's a difference between thinking McDonald's is not good for you (true), and thinking that all hamburgers or French fries are junk food (not true) or that anyone who eats McDonalds, or burgers, or fries, ever, is an unhealthy person (not true).

It's the severe, rigid, highly judgmental and moralistic approach to food that is a hallmark of orthorexia and it *is* a disorder. Because it's not really even about eating healthy or being healthy. It's about control, obsession, punishment, and judgment.

But the op was not trying to judge, control, or punish anyone. Instead, they were expressing what they like to do for themself for their reasons. And complaining that others like to judge, control, and try to punish them for the same. Which is entirely plausible, given the contents of this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your thoughts about food - perceiving it as unsafe and a threat - can wire your nervous system and body to become sensitized to certain foods. This is a thing.

Ideally, your body and immune system should be strong enough to "handle" most foods (obviously I'm not talking about Taco Bell here, but cutting out large groups like all dairy, all gluten, all corn, etc). If you believe that the food you are eating is nourishing you, your body is more likely to accept it.

It IS unhealthy to avoid or fear most foods. Is it worthy of "disorder" status? Who knows. But this is a thing - just like too much exercise is a thing. Feeling "safe" and generally ok goes a long way to calming your nervous system and immune system down. Overly identifying with your sensitivities or maladies is not healthy nor does it help you recover.

Products containing gluten and non organic corn often have high levels of glyphosate. Dairy, especially non organic is being linked to all kinds of health issues due to the inhumane conditions where the cows are kept and what they are fed. By all means eat those things if you want, but ethically, it's not your place to criticize people who avoid them. There is legitimate research to back it up.

[Anonymous]

I eat pretty clean. I no longer eat chicken or eggs. I just don't like them. If I eat ice cream I feel sick. My adult sons think I have an eating disorder. I do not. I don't comment on what others eat. I just wish people would leave me alone. Since I'm a size 2 people think it's ok to call me out. Not nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I eat pretty clean. I no longer eat chicken or eggs. I just don't like them. If I eat ice cream I feel sick. My adult sons think I have an eating disorder. I do not. I don't comment on what others eat. I just wish people would leave me alone. Since I'm a size 2 people think it's ok to call me out. Not nice.

Do you comment on what you eat a lot? One thing that I've always noticed in the difference between my eating disordered days and my healthy eating days is the attention drawn to it. Back then, it was like I needed the validation from others about how healthy I was and "wow look at what she eats compared to what we do". So while I didn't comment on what others ate, my obsession with needing others to know what I ate definitely entered the disordered eating territory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If there is someone disordered on this thread, it is the people suggesting that eating McDonald’s crap and highly processed foods is no big deal, not OP.

Well, eating McDonald's or highly processed crap extremely occasional is actually not that big of a deal -- it might make you feel bad but it's not going to kill you if you eat fast food on a road trip a couple times a year.

But no one on this thread is arguing that junk food is good for you or that you *should* eat it -- pretty much everyone agrees it's bad for you and best avoided. But there's a difference between thinking McDonald's is not good for you (true), and thinking that all hamburgers or French fries are junk food (not true) or that anyone who eats McDonalds, or burgers, or fries, ever, is an unhealthy person (not true).

It's the severe, rigid, highly judgmental and moralistic approach to food that is a hallmark of orthorexia and it *is* a disorder. Because it's not really even about eating healthy or being healthy. It's about control, obsession, punishment, and judgment.

But the op was not trying to judge, control, or punish anyone. Instead, they were expressing what they like to do for themself for their reasons. And complaining that others like to judge, control, and try to punish them for the same. Which is entirely plausible, given the contents of this thread.

The use of the phrase "clean eating" is inherently moralistic and judgmental.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why it's a disorder. You sound unhinged.

+1. Your disorder is so serious you can’t even see the depth of it. You need help.

[Anonymous]

My mom has a cleaning OCD thing.
Cleaning is a good thing. Wanting a clean house is great.
But there’s a line that is crossed when you are impinging on personal relationship and your ability to do other things. If you are scrubbing your kitchen floors at 2 am, that’s a sign. (I could list other things.)
It’s the same with healthy eating—it’s great! But if it is controlling your life and you’re sacrificing other things for that one goal, it may be a disorder. It’s a more healthy disorder than anorexia or drug addiction, to be sure, but it’s something to try to keep a handle on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If there is someone disordered on this thread, it is the people suggesting that eating McDonald’s crap and highly processed foods is no big deal, not OP.

Well, eating McDonald's or highly processed crap extremely occasional is actually not that big of a deal -- it might make you feel bad but it's not going to kill you if you eat fast food on a road trip a couple times a year.

But no one on this thread is arguing that junk food is good for you or that you *should* eat it -- pretty much everyone agrees it's bad for you and best avoided. But there's a difference between thinking McDonald's is not good for you (true), and thinking that all hamburgers or French fries are junk food (not true) or that anyone who eats McDonalds, or burgers, or fries, ever, is an unhealthy person (not true).

It's the severe, rigid, highly judgmental and moralistic approach to food that is a hallmark of orthorexia and it *is* a disorder. Because it's not really even about eating healthy or being healthy. It's about control, obsession, punishment, and judgment.

But the op was not trying to judge, control, or punish anyone. Instead, they were expressing what they like to do for themself for their reasons. And complaining that others like to judge, control, and try to punish them for the same. Which is entirely plausible, given the contents of this thread.

100% This. We went to clean eating or non processed or whatever is accessible to say due to health issues and it worked. I don't comment on how others eat or make judgmental looks or anything, but yet there are those who feel the need to pressure me to have a dessert I don't want or crave or to order something fried and who make negative comments when I don't say a word about the eating.

The worst is my sister. She pushes foods and pressures and will mock my healthy plate with samples of a variety of things. When visiting my mother and she was there, my husband, kids and I would sometimes leave for a walk to get a break and fresh air and she would turn it into a obsessive need for exercise. I am normal weight-upper end of normal, not thin, and I enjoy a walk after a meal (which was suggested to me a doctor for digestive issues). The fresh air helps us when family events are tense and my younger child benefits from exercise to regulate. I don't say any of this-we just say we are going for a walk. Meanwhile, she will complain constantly about her autoimmune issues and her new pre-diabetes/metabolic syndrome diagnosis. Even mainstream doctors have suggested to her she try going off gluten, avoiding inflammatory foods and eating more vegetables, yet she prefers to police everyone's plate instead. And...she loves to label people orthorexic and lament her prediabetes as she eats her cake and cookies without anyone saying a word to provoke.

[Anonymous]

I have an eating disorder and am in recovery. What I have noticed over many decades is the people who notice or pay attention to or comment on what others are eating have eating disorders themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If there is someone disordered on this thread, it is the people suggesting that eating McDonald’s crap and highly processed foods is no big deal, not OP.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an eating disorder and am in recovery. What I have noticed over many decades is the people who notice or pay attention to or comment on what others are eating have eating disorders themselves.

Agreed. Both sides of this (judging people for eating unhealthy or urging people to eat something "bad") are annoying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your thoughts about food - perceiving it as unsafe and a threat - can wire your nervous system and body to become sensitized to certain foods. This is a thing.

Ideally, your body and immune system should be strong enough to "handle" most foods (obviously I'm not talking about Taco Bell here, but cutting out large groups like all dairy, all gluten, all corn, etc). If you believe that the food you are eating is nourishing you, your body is more likely to accept it.

It IS unhealthy to avoid or fear most foods. Is it worthy of "disorder" status? Who knows. But this is a thing - just like too much exercise is a thing. Feeling "safe" and generally ok goes a long way to calming your nervous system and immune system down. Overly identifying with your sensitivities or maladies is not healthy nor does it help you recover.

Products containing gluten and non organic corn often have high levels of glyphosate. Dairy, especially non organic is being linked to all kinds of health issues due to the inhumane conditions where the cows are kept and what they are fed. By all means eat those things if you want, but ethically, it's not your place to criticize people who avoid them. There is legitimate research to back it up.

I know you’re not taking about glyphosate in 2025.

[Anonymous]

A friend of mine's kid was recently admitted to the ICU with low heart rate and BP - because of this disorder and the fact that she was close to death.