Orthorexia - Thoughts?

RoseTheWarrior

The news was filled with interest tidbits of "health" info this morning. One such thing discussed was a relatively new eating disorder called Orthorexia:

http://breakingmuscle.com/nutrition/orthorexia-when-clean-eating-goes-too-far

I can definitely see this happening to people I know. My brother-in-law is ... more than obsessed ... about what food to eat. He even makes sure his animals eat nothing but organic, raw, etc. He only eats what he makes. Period. I see others that are similar. Thoughts?

Unknown

This content has been removed.

ninerbuff

It's real. Biggest issue I've ran into are people I've invited to parties asking to bring their own food and also criticizing what others are eating. Needless to say, I don't hang with them anymore nor invite them to parties again.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

farfromthetree

I agree, definitely real. I have a FB friend who obsesses over and has to post all of her gluten free, non dairy, organic, nitrate free, grass fed etc.....dishes. She even buys a special toothpaste which is organic or something. I actually feel bad for her because I do see it as an eating disorder.

kgeyser

I think focusing the type of food is far too narrow, and think this portion is probably better for a descriptor:

Orthorexia is characterized by a negative impact or loss of social relationships, emotional dissatisfaction, and constant and obsessive thought about food. The behavior begins with a positive impact on an individual’s life, specifically for a competitor or athlete, but the diet eventually becomes the most important part of an orthorexic’s life as he or she loses balance.

The biggest issue seems to be obsessive thoughts about food and the negative impact on one's life. While this is certainly possible for those who focus on the type of food, people can develop similar obsessions about calorie counting or macros that negatively impact their lives. I think trying to define the disorder specifically by the type of food and "cleanliness" would mean that a lot of people would miss out on receiving help.

ValerieMartini2Olives

I'm fairly particular about my food to the point it's almost neurotic but I have my reasons why. 1) I was sick for over 10 years with severe gall bladder disease - my GB was only working at 14%. It didn't matter how "good" I ate, I was non-stop sick all the time until I had my GB taken out. 2) I worked in a grocery store for nearly 10 years and have seen food that was still within the range of it being good (like a month away from being expired), and was covered in mold. 3) My mom is not the greatest housekeeper in the kitchen and would always keep food way passed it's prime. 4) Both my parents would grocery shop and bought, let's say a package of strawberries, and let them sit in the fridge until they were covered in mold and had to be thrown away, but would get mad if I ate them. I became an adult with major food issues.

farfromthetree

kgeyser wrote: »

I think focusing the type of food is far too narrow, and think this portion is probably better for a descriptor:

Orthorexia is characterized by a negative impact or loss of social relationships, emotional dissatisfaction, and constant and obsessive thought about food. The behavior begins with a positive impact on an individual’s life, specifically for a competitor or athlete, but the diet eventually becomes the most important part of an orthorexic’s life as he or she loses balance.

The biggest issue seems to be obsessive thoughts about food and the negative impact on one's life. While this is certainly possible for those who focus on the type of food, people can develop similar obsessions about calorie counting or macros that negatively impact their lives. I think trying to define the disorder specifically by the type of food and "cleanliness" would mean that a lot of people would miss out on receiving help.

I agree 100%. She one time posted a picture of her family eating pizza in a restaurant while she waited outside. I remember thinking how sad that was.

Having a negative impact on family/social life would be a better descriptor!!

CalorieCountChocula

farfromthetree wrote: »

kgeyser wrote: »

I think focusing the type of food is far too narrow, and think this portion is probably better for a descriptor:

Orthorexia is characterized by a negative impact or loss of social relationships, emotional dissatisfaction, and constant and obsessive thought about food. The behavior begins with a positive impact on an individual’s life, specifically for a competitor or athlete, but the diet eventually becomes the most important part of an orthorexic’s life as he or she loses balance.

The biggest issue seems to be obsessive thoughts about food and the negative impact on one's life. While this is certainly possible for those who focus on the type of food, people can develop similar obsessions about calorie counting or macros that negatively impact their lives. I think trying to define the disorder specifically by the type of food and "cleanliness" would mean that a lot of people would miss out on receiving help.

I agree 100%. She one time posted a picture of her family eating pizza in a restaurant while she waited outside. I remember thinking how sad that was.

Having a negative impact on family/social life would be a better descriptor!!

But where exactly is the line? What if your family or friends eat out all the time and you're actively trying to lose weight? I know, I know. Make smart choices. Box up half. Split a meal. Etc. But should you have to do that 3-4 times a week just to maintain friendships? Isn't it better just to admit it's going to be easier if you don't eat out constantly?

farfromthetree

CalorieCountChocula wrote: »

farfromthetree wrote: »

kgeyser wrote: »

I think focusing the type of food is far too narrow, and think this portion is probably better for a descriptor:

Orthorexia is characterized by a negative impact or loss of social relationships, emotional dissatisfaction, and constant and obsessive thought about food. The behavior begins with a positive impact on an individual’s life, specifically for a competitor or athlete, but the diet eventually becomes the most important part of an orthorexic’s life as he or she loses balance.

The biggest issue seems to be obsessive thoughts about food and the negative impact on one's life. While this is certainly possible for those who focus on the type of food, people can develop similar obsessions about calorie counting or macros that negatively impact their lives. I think trying to define the disorder specifically by the type of food and "cleanliness" would mean that a lot of people would miss out on receiving help.

I agree 100%. She one time posted a picture of her family eating pizza in a restaurant while she waited outside. I remember thinking how sad that was.

Having a negative impact on family/social life would be a better descriptor!!

But where exactly is the line? What if your family or friends eat out all the time and you're actively trying to lose weight? I know, I know. Make smart choices. Box up half. Split a meal. Etc. But should you have to do that 3-4 times a week just to maintain friendships? Isn't it better just to admit it's going to be easier if you don't eat out constantly?

It is tough to determine where that line is. I have avoided going out to eat on occasions I felt I needed to cut back. I don't see anything wrong with that. It would have been different if she just didn't go to the restaurant or even went in to sit with them and ordered something she felt was acceptable. But to take a picture of your family eating while your waiting outside, and posting it on FB struck me as odd and over that line.

I don't know, maybe you have to see her daily posts to really understand.

ki4eld

It's real. It's one of the many EDs discussed pre-WLS. During the pre- and post-surgery requirements, we're told to focus on protein, carbs, calories... in that order. Since we're so limited in what and how much we can eat, every bite really does count. Some days, it can be a minute-to-minute juggling act to ensure you're focused but not obsessed. Ensuring you make your daily goals without avoiding real life is hard too.

As someone with OCD (specifically a numerical/counting obsession) I have to be even more careful. I have to find a number on which I can focus, even obsess a little, that isn't destructive. For a while, that number was my protein, which needed to be unnaturally high and precise. Not obsessing over my carb number remains a daily struggle and always will be, but I've found a peaceful and healthy range. Now, thanks to my Fitbit, my number obsession is the number of steps I must walk per day (10k, so not extreme).

So yes, it's a real thing and it's easy to fall into, especially if you have contributing issues.

J72FIT

Definitely real. I went through it.

kgeyser

CalorieCountChocula wrote: »

farfromthetree wrote: »

kgeyser wrote: »

I think focusing the type of food is far too narrow, and think this portion is probably better for a descriptor:

Orthorexia is characterized by a negative impact or loss of social relationships, emotional dissatisfaction, and constant and obsessive thought about food. The behavior begins with a positive impact on an individual’s life, specifically for a competitor or athlete, but the diet eventually becomes the most important part of an orthorexic’s life as he or she loses balance.

The biggest issue seems to be obsessive thoughts about food and the negative impact on one's life. While this is certainly possible for those who focus on the type of food, people can develop similar obsessions about calorie counting or macros that negatively impact their lives. I think trying to define the disorder specifically by the type of food and "cleanliness" would mean that a lot of people would miss out on receiving help.

I agree 100%. She one time posted a picture of her family eating pizza in a restaurant while she waited outside. I remember thinking how sad that was.

Having a negative impact on family/social life would be a better descriptor!!

But where exactly is the line? What if your family or friends eat out all the time and you're actively trying to lose weight? I know, I know. Make smart choices. Box up half. Split a meal. Etc. But should you have to do that 3-4 times a week just to maintain friendships? Isn't it better just to admit it's going to be easier if you don't eat out constantly?

I think there is a difference between cutting back on the frequency of going out to make better dietary choices, and orthorexic behavior where the obsession can lead to situations where you actively avoid social engagements because they might involve food that doesn't fit with one's defined parameters, or where social relationships become strained because the person's obsessions are leading to them to comment on the food choices of others.

Usually people who are just trying to lose weight will be able to find social interactions that do not involve food or where food is not the focus to maintain the relationships. Although for some people, they do find that as their personal goals change that their friendships change as well, because they start to have less in common with the person just in terms of activities they enjoy.

amusedmonkey

This is very real. When I first started dieting I was completely obsessed. I used to log calories on a website that gives you daily micronutrient intakes and how they compare to your RDA. I was so obsessed with meeting every single number that I started cooking separately for myself, would never touch anything that I didn't prepare, and refused to attend any social gatherings or meet with friends. I eventually stopped eating with my family "to eliminate the chances of being tempted". Media, blogs, superfoods, and sensationalized health claims were partially responsible. In my mind, I was giving myself the best chance at health and weight loss, forgetting that mental health and social relationships are very important for health and happiness.

BinaryPulsar

Four months ago a dermatologist wrongly prescribed me a topical med. I only used it 3 times. It caused a severe vasomotor malfunction in my face that causes flushing, and chronic, severe nerve pain in my face. I react badly to foods. Before I can even finish the food my face and eyes are in severe pain. It's mainly a mast cell activation histamine response and I react to all oils and all kinds of food that I have no idea why it causes it. So, I had to go on a strict diet. I basically eat the same foods every day and I had to pay a lot of attention to making sure it's balanced and meeting my nutritional needs. A couple times a week I cautiously try to add new foods. I hate it. I would give anything to go back to the way I was before the doctor prescribed that med. There are hundreds of people that I am aware of also injured by the med. It's called Mirvaso. So, it feels like I have medically induced orthorexia. But, it's not actually orthorexia because it is medically induced and it's only normal to attempt to live a life that doesn't increase pain and injury. I hope I will recover.

RoseTheWarrior

I think that if you have medical issues, that's one thing, but if you've simply determined that you *must* eat "x" foods and nothing else, and obsess over every little calorie and micro nutrient, you're crossing a line. Personally, I try to "eat clean", but I'm not obsessed with it, and I can go out to a restaurant and have half a hamburger and not feel like it's going to kill me or kill my chances at weight loss. I count calories, only because at this point I'm still working on portion control. But then, a year from now, I expect to not be doing that.

I really think that there's too much sensationalized diet information available. Raw, organic, clean, natural, paleo, keto... and that's just scratching the surface. We're constantly fed NEW "information" of what is "good" and what is "bad" food. It's really not surprising that this new type of eating disorder has surfaced.

AnvilHead

It's definitely real and you see a lot of it here on MFP.

BinaryPulsar

RoseTheWarrior wrote: »

I think that if you have medical issues, that's one thing, but if you've simply determined that you *must* eat "x" foods and nothing else, and obsess over every little calorie and micro nutrient, you're crossing a line. Personally, I try to "eat clean", but I'm not obsessed with it, and I can go out to a restaurant and have half a hamburger and not feel like it's going to kill me or kill my chances at weight loss. I count calories, only because at this point I'm still working on portion control. But then, a year from now, I expect to not be doing that.

I really think that there's too much sensationalized diet information available. Raw, organic, clean, natural, paleo, keto... and that's just scratching the surface. We're constantly fed NEW "information" of what is "good" and what is "bad" food. It's really not surprising that this new type of eating disorder has surfaced.

Yeah. I agree! Even with my medical condition I had to go on an elimination diet to figure out what I can and can't eat. And I continually try to add more. Sometimes I need to take a break from trying things because reacting all the time is painful. But, people still try to push various diet ideas on me. I can't eat according to some preset diet (for example auto-immune paleo would cut out most of the foods I can eat, and add a ton that I get nerve pain from). That doesn't make sense for my situation. And I am certainly not going to apply arbitrary restrictions to my situation which is already difficult enough. But, I am trying to recover. Under the care of a few doctors.

cwolfman13

farfromthetree wrote: »

I agree, definitely real. I have a FB friend who obsesses over and has to post all of her gluten free, non dairy, organic, nitrate free, grass fed etc.....dishes. She even buys a special toothpaste which is organic or something. I actually feel bad for her because I do see it as an eating disorder.

I have a friend who will only eat off of gluten free paper plates...true story...actually, she's not really my friend, only an acquaintance as I am friends with her husband...who's going bat *kitten* crazy with her antics.

Sabine_Stroehm

It's real. I think it's today's boogie monster. But it's real.

In my "real life":
I've known one person who I believed was hurting themselves with their "obsession" with eating healthy (as they saw it).
And I've known many who've died from NOT eating healthy.
I've known a few who've lost limbs, lifestyle, loved ones with their bad eating habits.
And a few, in real life, who had a full fledged ED.

And many on here who fret in an unhealthy manner over numbers: calories, macros, scale numbers etc.

The "orthorexics" are few and far between as far as I can see. But they do exist.

Sabine_Stroehm

BinaryPulsar wrote: »

Four months ago a dermatologist wrongly prescribed me a topical med. I only used it 3 times. It caused a severe vasomotor malfunction in my face that causes flushing, and chronic, severe nerve pain in my face. I react badly to foods. Before I can even finish the food my face and eyes are in severe pain. It's mainly a mast cell activation histamine response and I react to all oils and all kinds of food that I have no idea why it causes it. So, I had to go on a strict diet. I basically eat the same foods every day and I had to pay a lot of attention to making sure it's balanced and meeting my nutritional needs. A couple times a week I cautiously try to add new foods. I hate it. I would give anything to go back to the way I was before the doctor prescribed that med. There are hundreds of people that I am aware of also injured by the med. It's called Mirvaso. So, it feels like I have medically induced orthorexia. But, it's not actually orthorexia because it is medically induced and it's only normal to attempt to live a life that doesn't increase pain and injury. I hope I will recover.

My very dear friend is in a similar situation from Cipro the antibiotic.

BinaryPulsar

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

BinaryPulsar wrote: »

Four months ago a dermatologist wrongly prescribed me a topical med. I only used it 3 times. It caused a severe vasomotor malfunction in my face that causes flushing, and chronic, severe nerve pain in my face. I react badly to foods. Before I can even finish the food my face and eyes are in severe pain. It's mainly a mast cell activation histamine response and I react to all oils and all kinds of food that I have no idea why it causes it. So, I had to go on a strict diet. I basically eat the same foods every day and I had to pay a lot of attention to making sure it's balanced and meeting my nutritional needs. A couple times a week I cautiously try to add new foods. I hate it. I would give anything to go back to the way I was before the doctor prescribed that med. There are hundreds of people that I am aware of also injured by the med. It's called Mirvaso. So, it feels like I have medically induced orthorexia. But, it's not actually orthorexia because it is medically induced and it's only normal to attempt to live a life that doesn't increase pain and injury. I hope I will recover.

My very dear friend is in a similar situation from Cipro the antibiotic.

Yeah, for me a mild condition started from over prescribing antibiotics. Very strong ones. They thought I had an antibiotic resistant infection, but they were actually treating the antibiotic injury with more antibiotics. But, it was manageable and I was recovering. Then the dermatologist prescribed mirvaso, and it's a nightmare. I don't post food stuff on Facebook. But, I follow support pages and vegan nutrition pages (I react badly to animal products because of histamine and biogenic amines), so I reply on those pages and I am sure it shows up in the newsfeed. But, people know I am dealing with a medical injury and it's not a choice. Joel Fuhrman is helpful. I have to make sure my plant based diet is still meeting my nutritional needs. And The Low Histamine Chef is helpful, even if just for support that I am not the only person going through this. I hope your friend recovers!

BinaryPulsar

cwolfman13 wrote: »

farfromthetree wrote: »

I agree, definitely real. I have a FB friend who obsesses over and has to post all of her gluten free, non dairy, organic, nitrate free, grass fed etc.....dishes. She even buys a special toothpaste which is organic or something. I actually feel bad for her because I do see it as an eating disorder.

I have a friend who will only eat off of gluten free paper plates...true story...actually, she's not really my friend, only an acquaintance as I am friends with her husband...who's going bat *kitten* crazy with her antics.

Gluten free paper plates? What? And why not just use regular washable ceramic plates. Some people need to eat gluten free if they have celiac or some other auto-immune conditions. But, it doesn't have to be a big deal if the person just manages their own diet.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Sabine_Stroehm

BinaryPulsar wrote: »

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

BinaryPulsar wrote: »

Four months ago a dermatologist wrongly prescribed me a topical med. I only used it 3 times. It caused a severe vasomotor malfunction in my face that causes flushing, and chronic, severe nerve pain in my face. I react badly to foods. Before I can even finish the food my face and eyes are in severe pain. It's mainly a mast cell activation histamine response and I react to all oils and all kinds of food that I have no idea why it causes it. So, I had to go on a strict diet. I basically eat the same foods every day and I had to pay a lot of attention to making sure it's balanced and meeting my nutritional needs. A couple times a week I cautiously try to add new foods. I hate it. I would give anything to go back to the way I was before the doctor prescribed that med. There are hundreds of people that I am aware of also injured by the med. It's called Mirvaso. So, it feels like I have medically induced orthorexia. But, it's not actually orthorexia because it is medically induced and it's only normal to attempt to live a life that doesn't increase pain and injury. I hope I will recover.

My very dear friend is in a similar situation from Cipro the antibiotic.

Yeah, for me a mild condition started from over prescribing antibiotics. Very strong ones. They thought I had an antibiotic resistant infection, but they were actually treating the antibiotic injury with more antibiotics. But, it was manageable and I was recovering. Then the dermatologist prescribed mirvaso, and it's a nightmare. I don't post food stuff on Facebook. But, I follow support pages and vegan nutrition pages (I react badly to animal products because of histamine and biogenic amines), so I reply on those pages and I am sure it shows up in the newsfeed. But, people know I am dealing with a medical injury and it's not a choice. Joel Fuhrman is helpful. I have to make sure my plant based diet is still meeting my nutritional needs. And The Low Histamine Chef is helpful, even if just for support that I am not the only person going through this. I hope your friend recovers!

She's slowly recovering, but has to carefully consider everything she eats now. It's been four years.
Hope you keep improving as well!

BinaryPulsar

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

BinaryPulsar wrote: »

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

BinaryPulsar wrote: »

Four months ago a dermatologist wrongly prescribed me a topical med. I only used it 3 times. It caused a severe vasomotor malfunction in my face that causes flushing, and chronic, severe nerve pain in my face. I react badly to foods. Before I can even finish the food my face and eyes are in severe pain. It's mainly a mast cell activation histamine response and I react to all oils and all kinds of food that I have no idea why it causes it. So, I had to go on a strict diet. I basically eat the same foods every day and I had to pay a lot of attention to making sure it's balanced and meeting my nutritional needs. A couple times a week I cautiously try to add new foods. I hate it. I would give anything to go back to the way I was before the doctor prescribed that med. There are hundreds of people that I am aware of also injured by the med. It's called Mirvaso. So, it feels like I have medically induced orthorexia. But, it's not actually orthorexia because it is medically induced and it's only normal to attempt to live a life that doesn't increase pain and injury. I hope I will recover.

My very dear friend is in a similar situation from Cipro the antibiotic.

Yeah, for me a mild condition started from over prescribing antibiotics. Very strong ones. They thought I had an antibiotic resistant infection, but they were actually treating the antibiotic injury with more antibiotics. But, it was manageable and I was recovering. Then the dermatologist prescribed mirvaso, and it's a nightmare. I don't post food stuff on Facebook. But, I follow support pages and vegan nutrition pages (I react badly to animal products because of histamine and biogenic amines), so I reply on those pages and I am sure it shows up in the newsfeed. But, people know I am dealing with a medical injury and it's not a choice. Joel Fuhrman is helpful. I have to make sure my plant based diet is still meeting my nutritional needs. And The Low Histamine Chef is helpful, even if just for support that I am not the only person going through this. I hope your friend recovers!

She's slowly recovering, but has to carefully consider everything she eats now. It's been four years.
Hope you keep improving as well!

Whoa! 4 years. That's a long time. Been 4 months since the worst of my injury. Thanks! Oh, I also get some helpful info from Nutrition Facts (Michael Greger).

Sabine_Stroehm

BinaryPulsar wrote: »

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

BinaryPulsar wrote: »

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

BinaryPulsar wrote: »

Four months ago a dermatologist wrongly prescribed me a topical med. I only used it 3 times. It caused a severe vasomotor malfunction in my face that causes flushing, and chronic, severe nerve pain in my face. I react badly to foods. Before I can even finish the food my face and eyes are in severe pain. It's mainly a mast cell activation histamine response and I react to all oils and all kinds of food that I have no idea why it causes it. So, I had to go on a strict diet. I basically eat the same foods every day and I had to pay a lot of attention to making sure it's balanced and meeting my nutritional needs. A couple times a week I cautiously try to add new foods. I hate it. I would give anything to go back to the way I was before the doctor prescribed that med. There are hundreds of people that I am aware of also injured by the med. It's called Mirvaso. So, it feels like I have medically induced orthorexia. But, it's not actually orthorexia because it is medically induced and it's only normal to attempt to live a life that doesn't increase pain and injury. I hope I will recover.

My very dear friend is in a similar situation from Cipro the antibiotic.

Yeah, for me a mild condition started from over prescribing antibiotics. Very strong ones. They thought I had an antibiotic resistant infection, but they were actually treating the antibiotic injury with more antibiotics. But, it was manageable and I was recovering. Then the dermatologist prescribed mirvaso, and it's a nightmare. I don't post food stuff on Facebook. But, I follow support pages and vegan nutrition pages (I react badly to animal products because of histamine and biogenic amines), so I reply on those pages and I am sure it shows up in the newsfeed. But, people know I am dealing with a medical injury and it's not a choice. Joel Fuhrman is helpful. I have to make sure my plant based diet is still meeting my nutritional needs. And The Low Histamine Chef is helpful, even if just for support that I am not the only person going through this. I hope your friend recovers!

She's slowly recovering, but has to carefully consider everything she eats now. It's been four years.
Hope you keep improving as well!

Whoa! 4 years. That's a long time. Been 4 months since the worst of my injury. Thanks! Oh, I also get some helpful info from Nutrition Facts (Michael Greger).

Forgot to say: I bet Fuhrman is a good resource!

redraidergirl2009

It's eating disorder not otherwise specified. Orthorexia isn't a diagnosis. I think a blogger coined the term.

BinaryPulsar

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

BinaryPulsar wrote: »

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

BinaryPulsar wrote: »

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

BinaryPulsar wrote: »

Four months ago a dermatologist wrongly prescribed me a topical med. I only used it 3 times. It caused a severe vasomotor malfunction in my face that causes flushing, and chronic, severe nerve pain in my face. I react badly to foods. Before I can even finish the food my face and eyes are in severe pain. It's mainly a mast cell activation histamine response and I react to all oils and all kinds of food that I have no idea why it causes it. So, I had to go on a strict diet. I basically eat the same foods every day and I had to pay a lot of attention to making sure it's balanced and meeting my nutritional needs. A couple times a week I cautiously try to add new foods. I hate it. I would give anything to go back to the way I was before the doctor prescribed that med. There are hundreds of people that I am aware of also injured by the med. It's called Mirvaso. So, it feels like I have medically induced orthorexia. But, it's not actually orthorexia because it is medically induced and it's only normal to attempt to live a life that doesn't increase pain and injury. I hope I will recover.

My very dear friend is in a similar situation from Cipro the antibiotic.

Yeah, for me a mild condition started from over prescribing antibiotics. Very strong ones. They thought I had an antibiotic resistant infection, but they were actually treating the antibiotic injury with more antibiotics. But, it was manageable and I was recovering. Then the dermatologist prescribed mirvaso, and it's a nightmare. I don't post food stuff on Facebook. But, I follow support pages and vegan nutrition pages (I react badly to animal products because of histamine and biogenic amines), so I reply on those pages and I am sure it shows up in the newsfeed. But, people know I am dealing with a medical injury and it's not a choice. Joel Fuhrman is helpful. I have to make sure my plant based diet is still meeting my nutritional needs. And The Low Histamine Chef is helpful, even if just for support that I am not the only person going through this. I hope your friend recovers!

She's slowly recovering, but has to carefully consider everything she eats now. It's been four years.
Hope you keep improving as well!

Whoa! 4 years. That's a long time. Been 4 months since the worst of my injury. Thanks! Oh, I also get some helpful info from Nutrition Facts (Michael Greger).

Forgot to say: I bet Fuhrman is a good resource!

Yes! :-) He sure is. Back to the topic of the thread. I have always been into good nutrition. At 13 I became a vegetarian. Went omnivore during my second pregnancy because of anemia (and I wanted to be able to have a homebirth). Always ate lots of veggies. In my twenties I got really interested in a healthy diet for skin health (so pretty ridiculous that it was a dermatologist that ended up injuring me). When I heard about orthorexia I worried I could have it. But, it's not an interest in health and eating vegetables, berries, and nuts. Orthorexia is when it interferes with a person's life, social relationships, internal mental and emotional well being, and even their physical health. So, people throw the term around casually. But, in reality it's a serious eating disorder, not just a person that likes to eat a lot of vegetables.