The Dark Side of Clean Eating

Meet Jake

A 35-year-old teacher who decided to embark on a journey towards a healthier lifestyle. Prompted by the new year's spirit, he began swapping his usual breakfast pastries for smoothie bowls adorned with an array of fresh fruits and seeds. Lunches transformed from fast-food pickups to home-prepared salads and lean proteins. His Instagram feed, once filled with travel photos and pictures of his dogs, started featuring snapshots of his colorful meals and the new "superfoods" he discovered. Initially, the changes brought a spring to his step, and he enjoyed the compliments from colleagues who noticed his leaner physique and radiant skin.

As time marched on, however, the initial enthusiasm started to morph into a stringent routine. Dining out with friends became a game of 20 questions with the waiter about the menu's ingredients. The casual weekend brunches with his partner turned into meticulous meal prepping sessions. A slice of birthday cake at a friend's gathering became a source of anxiety instead of joy. Jake found himself spending hours on end researching the cleanest, most ethically sourced, pesticide-free options for his pantry. What started as a genuine endeavor to improve his health subtly veered into an obsession that began to eclipse the simple joys of eating and sharing meals with loved ones.

When "Clean" turns "Dirty"

In the sprawling landscape of dietary trends, the term “clean eating” has emerged as a beacon of health. However, veiled behind the allure of vibrant, pesticide-free vegetables and ethically sourced meats, lurks a less talked about concern known as Orthorexia Nervosa. Unlike its counterparts, anorexia and bulimia, which are concerned with the quantity of food, orthorexia is a fixation on the quality or purity of food.

Orthorexia Nervosa, a term coined in 1997 by Dr. Steven Bratman, signifies an excessive preoccupation with eating healthy food. Initially, like Jake, individuals may start with a genuine intention to improve their health, enhance physical performance, or manage a chronic disease through a wholesome diet. However, over time, this well-intentioned endeavor can morph into a fixation. Self-esteem becomes heavily invested in adhering to a self-imposed dietary regimen, often becoming a dominant measure of one's self-worth.

As Jake delved deeper into the world of "clean eating," his focus shifted from general health improvement to an obsessive quest for dietary purity. Individuals with orthorexia often find themselves avoiding foods they deem as impure or harmful, which can include foods with artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, pesticides, genetically modified organisms, or those not grown or prepared in "healthy" or "ethical" ways.

The time and energy spent on planning, purchasing, preparing, and eating meals perceived as wholesome begin to occupy an increasingly significant portion of the individual's life, much like Jake's weekend brunches turned into meticulous meal prepping sessions. The joy and spontaneity associated with eating are overshadowed by anxiety and rigid conformity to self-imposed dietary rules. Orthorexia Nervosa lays bare the complex and nuanced relationship between intention and obsession in the pursuit of health, and how a well-meaning journey can veer off course, leading to a path of unintended consequences.

The Catalysts Behind Orthorexia

Orthorexia may be triggered by various factors including personal experiences with specific diseases, negative body image, or even through the influence of well-intentioned healthcare professionals promoting healthy "diets". The omnipresence of social media also acts as a catalyst, where hashtags like #cleaneating, boasting over 47 million posts on Instagram as of April 2023, propagate a culture of dietary purity. This constant exposure can distort perceptions of a balanced diet, making orthorexia a modern-day concern.

Orthorexia Nervosa doesn’t sprout in a vacuum though; it is often fertilized by a complex blend of psychological, behavioral, and societal factors. Let's unravel some of the key catalysts that may pave the way for orthorexia:

Depression: Individuals grappling with depression might turn to "clean eating" as a means to regain control or seek improvement in their mood and overall well-being. The initial boost in mood and energy can be reinforcing, leading to a deeper dive into rigid dietary practices.
Anxiety: Anxiety can foster a keen focus on control, and what's more controllable than the food one consumes? Over time, this control can morph into an obsession with dietary purity as a means to mitigate anxious feelings.
Low Self-Esteem: A desire to enhance self-esteem or body image through a “clean” diet can be a stepping stone into the world of orthorexia. As individuals receive positive reinforcement for their dietary choices or changes in physical appearance, the drive to adhere to a strict eating regimen intensifies.
History of Dieting: A past peppered with dieting endeavors can prime the pump for orthorexic behaviors. The transition from following various diets to a fixation on "clean eating" can be a slippery slope.
Perfectionism: Perfectionist tendencies can fuel the fire of orthorexia. The quest for a perfect diet or a perfect body can lead to an unyielding adherence to dietary rules and restrictions.
Control-Seeking: Seeking control over one’s life through dietary purity can be a comforting notion. However, when the quest for control tightens its grip on every food choice, it paves the path for orthorexia.

Jake's transition from a well-intentioned new year’s resolution to an obsession provides a lens through which we can view how these catalysts intertwine to create a complex web that ensnares individuals into the clutches of Orthorexia Nervosa.

Unpacking the Signs of Orthorexia

Individuals with orthorexia often exhibit a range of behaviors and emotions associated with their eating practices:

Compulsive checking of ingredient lists and nutritional labels
An increase in concern about the health of ingredients
Cutting out an increasing number of food groups
An inability to eat anything but a narrow group of foods that are deemed ‘healthy’ or ‘pure’
Unusual interest in the health of what others are eating

Over time, individuals may experience weight loss, malnutrition, and a myriad of other health issues. The emotional ramifications are equally significant, often leading to distress, anxiety, and social isolation.

The Health Repercussions

Orthorexia, despite its focus on healthy eating, can lead to severe nutritional deficiencies. When food choices become extremely limited, it’s hard to get all necessary nutrients. This can lead to low bone density, digestive issues, and an impaired immune system among other concerns. Furthermore, the severe dietary restrictions can foster an antagonistic relationship with food, increasing stress levels and possibly leading to anxiety and depression. The ripple effect of orthorexia on an individual's life can be profound, affecting physical health, social life, and overall well-being.

Social Life and Orthorexia

The obsessive quest for dietary purity often spills over into social interactions. Individuals may avoid social engagements involving food or bring their own meals to gatherings to adhere to their dietary restrictions. The stigma attached to non-adherence to their self-imposed dietary rules can lead to social withdrawal, further propagating a cycle of isolation and adherence to orthorexic behaviors.

Jake's story exemplifies how the obsessive quest for dietary purity often bleeds into social interactions. His meticulous dietary regimen made social engagements involving food a source of anxiety rather than enjoyment. Opting to bring his own meals to gatherings or meticulously interrogating waitstaff about menu ingredients became the norm, eventually leading to a reluctance to participate in social gatherings altogether. The stigma attached to non-adherence to his self-imposed dietary rules sometimes led to social withdrawal, further fueling a cycle of isolation and adherence to orthorexic behaviors. The social fabric of Jake's life started to fray as orthorexia tightened its grip, illustrating the profound impact this condition can have on an individual’s social interactions and overall quality of life.

Addressing and Preventing Orthorexia

Prevention and early intervention are crucial in addressing orthorexia. It’s essential to promote a balanced perspective towards food. Here are some preventive measures:

Diversifying Diet: Encourage a varied diet that includes a wide range of different foods to ensure all necessary nutrients are being consumed.
Seeking Professional Guidance: Consult with registered dietitians who can provide evidence-based dietary guidance.
Mindful Eating: Practice mindful eating to foster a healthier relationship with food, focusing on hunger and fullness cues.
Work with a Health Coach: Seek support from a coach that promotes a balanced approach to nutrition, and can support a holistic wellness journey.

In the whirlpool of dietary trends, it's easy to get swept away by the allure of "clean eating". Orthorexia Nervosa manifests the dark side of this pursuit, showing that an excessive quest for dietary purity can spiral into a life-altering obsession. It's a stark reminder that balance, in all aspects of life, is key to fostering genuine health and well-being. Being informed and seeking a balanced perspective towards nutrition is a proactive step towards preventing the pitfalls associated with orthorexia.

Take Action Now

If you’ve recognized some of the signs of orthorexia in yourself or in someone you care about, it’s important to seek support. Reach out to a healthcare professional who can provide the right guidance based on evidence-based practices.

It’s never too late to take a step towards a healthier relationship with food and a balanced life. Additionally, engage with communities and resources that promote a balanced and realistic approach to nutrition. Remember, the journey towards health is not about perfection, but about balance and nourishment.

If you have questions or need support, don’t hesitate to reach out. Your path to a balanced and enjoyable eating experience is within reach. Send me a message in the “Let’s Connect” box below and I can walk you through the ORTHO-15 Questionnaire. It’s a straightforward assessment that can help you understand the relationship with food better.

Together, let’s debunk the myths surrounding "clean eating" and promote a culture of balanced, inclusive nutrition.

Resources for Further Reading

For more detailed information on Orthorexia, the following resources are invaluable:

References

Dunn, T. M., & Bratman, S. (2016). On orthorexia nervosa: A review of the literature and proposed diagnostic criteria. Eating Behaviors, 21, 11–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2015.12.006
Jayasri, J. (2017). Orthorexia: The Dirty Downside of Clean Eating. Pondicherry Journal of Nursing, 10(2), 55–59. https://doi.org/10.5005/pjn-10-2-55
Orthorexia Nervosa: A Behavioral Complex and Its Characteristics