Orthorexia Nervosa (obsessed with health foods)?

EccentricDad

What do you know about it? Do you think it's a real problem if a person is filling their TDEE (or at least BMR) with the proper amount of calories and a variety of foods?

gwenr

I know it exists because my mom is this way. While I appreciate that she taught us how to eat heathfully (I have two sisters and a brother) she was very restrictive. For instance...no sugar allowed in the house, all our food was made by her at home so never had school lunches, did not go to McDonald's even one time. I mean...all of that seems good and it is, but it also made all of us kids obsessive about food in defferent ways. I'm a healthy weight for my height but I've battled with over and under eating for my whole life, as have my siblings.

Just something to think about. I would have appreciated if she had been a bit more balanced. That's how I am with my kids now...they have treats but their overall diet is healthy.

*I saw your post before you edited it, and my response is based on that first post*

EccentricDad

I know it exists because my mom is this way. While I appreciate that she taught us how to eat heathfully (I have two sisters and a brother) she was very restrictive. For instance...no sugar allowed in the house, all our food was made by her at home so never had school lunches, did not go to McDonald's even one time. I mean...all of that seems good and it is, but it also made all of us kids obsessive about food in defferent ways. I'm a healthy weight for my height but I've battled with over and under eating for my whole life, as have my siblings.

Just something to think about. I would have appreciated if she had been a bit more balanced. That's how I am with my kids now...they have treats but their overall diet is healthy.

*I saw your post before you edited it, and my response is based on that first post*

My parents were loose cannons and I grew up being a loose cannon too. Doughnuts for breakfast? Sure! Cake for Dinner? Sure! I replaced real meals with desserts because that's what my parents did. And you didn't just get 1 doughnut, you could eat an entire box if you wanted....

So while I see how making kids overly concerned with food could be bad, it makes me wonder if being loose cannons is any better....

EccentricDad

The solution is "moderation". But what counts as moderation? I mean, at what point should a child or adult be cut off?
Yes, eating a cupcake once and a while wouldn't be bad. But eating an entire cake would be terrible right?
And is it really Orthorexia Nervosa if you think you have a Gluten allergy because of a successful elimination diet but you have no insurance to verify it?

gwenr

That's why I'm advocating balance...I think you're approach might be as unbalanced as your parents just in the other direction? Not judging by any means.....just something to think about. I'm sure you want the best for your kids, we all do...sometimes it's hard to always know what the right thing is.

I would have been in HEAVEN if I had ever had a donut as a kid!! LOL!

Im sensitive at times too so I hope I don't offend.

gwenr

I think moderation is different for every person, for every family. Moderation for one person might be extreme for another. You just have to experiment and see what works for your family.

I'm curious why you think it's a problem??

EccentricDad

I'm asking these questions because someone said something that completely knocked me off my confidence horse. Before my activity on the forums, I was a healthy, happy individual. But every day I'm on here, someone new is critiquing me saying that I'm unhealthy, disorderly, and overall a rotten person. I don't know what to believe any more...

Susancarole

Believe the people who know you, not just what you post or what shows on your daily diet. But do that even with a HUGE dose of believing in yourself so you can filter the crap from the truth. I am sure you are a health individual -- now get back to happy.

BigGuy47

Before my activity on the forums, I was a healthy, happy individual.

As with food, these forums should also be taken in moderation. There are so many opinions coming from so many angles it's often difficult to make any sense of it all. Sometimes it's best to I walk away from the forums for a while, especially if you've reached a saturation point.. my 2 cents.

WendyTerry420

There is a HUGE difference between making a conscious effort to eat healthy and obsessing over perfect foods. The key word is obsession. When you can't function in your everyday life because of an obsession, ANY obsession, then it's a problem.

Susancarole

Believe the people who know you, not just what you post or what shows on your daily diet. But do that even with a HUGE dose of believing in yourself so you can filter the crap from the truth. I am sure you are a health individual -- now get back to happy.

healthy

ZugTheMegasaurus

I'm not sure what the original post was before editing, so I'm kind of reacting to gwenr for the context.

I saw that sort of behavior when I was a kid with my best friend's dad. The whole family was healthy, no issues with health or weight, but my friend's dad was very weird about food restriction. He would not allow fat or sugar in the house. We'd go to bake cookies (as 10-year old girls will do) and every container that was supposed to have sugar in it would be crammed with artificial sweetener packets. The fridge was stocked with fat-free products to replace oils, butter, cheese, etc. My friend would crave the stuff so bad that she'd grab mayonnaise packets off the salad bar at school and just eat the whole thing (not on a sandwich or something, mind you, just sucked it right out of the packet).

He did it in the interests of health (and was very thin as a result) and was a nice guy, but the behavior was certainly harmful in some ways (probably more than the ways in which it was beneficial).

EccentricDad

I'm curious why you think it's a problem??

If you're talking about the Gluten. I was diagnosed with ADHD, GERD, and before I lost my insurance I was tested for Rheumatoid Arthritis and they said it was non-conclusive (early stages or was Fibromyalgia). Anyways, I did research and people have had success on a GF diet and it helped reverse ADHD, GERD, and Fibromyalgia issues; so since I have no health insurance, I gave it a try since it's cheaper than seeing the doctor and getting a Celiac test. Turns out, it was a step in the right direction. But now that limits a great deal of foods for me because of this Gluten intolerance potential. And I do notice my ADHD, GERD, and Fib symptoms come back when I have something that is contaminated with Gluten, it only makes my concerns more valid.

Some people have so much faith in the health care system that they think I am being Orthorexia about my restriction; but I feel that since it's working, I should follow it and just find other ways to get those nutrients. But not everyone can agree with me and we live in a world where NO ONE keeps their opinions to themselves... And since I take everyone's opinions personally (even strangers) it's hard to get back up when you don't have the support of your peers...

gwenr

I'm asking these questions because someone said something that completely knocked me off my confidence horse. Before my activity on the forums, I was a healthy, happy individual. But every day I'm on here, someone new is critiquing me saying that I'm unhealthy, disorderly, and overall a rotten person. I don't know what to believe any more...

OMG!!! Don't let STRANGERS get to you! Who gives a flying *kitten*? That said...if you put yourself out there SOMEONE is going to have something rude to say about it....you just have to ignore. IGNORE...seriously.

EccentricDad

I'm not sure what the original post was before editing, so I'm kind of reacting to gwenr for the context.

I saw that sort of behavior when I was a kid with my best friend's dad. The whole family was healthy, no issues with health or weight, but my friend's dad was very weird about food restriction. He would not allow fat or sugar in the house. We'd go to bake cookies (as 10-year old girls will do) and every container that was supposed to have sugar in it would be crammed with artificial sweetener packets. The fridge was stocked with fat-free products to replace oils, butter, cheese, etc. My friend would crave the stuff so bad that she'd grab mayonnaise packets off the salad bar at school and just eat the whole thing (not on a sandwich or something, mind you, just sucked it right out of the packet).

He did it in the interests of health (and was very thin as a result) and was a nice guy, but the behavior was certainly harmful in some ways (probably more than the ways in which it was beneficial).

I'm worried about my daughter being this way. She is a sugar hog and the reason I restrict her and my son is because they have ADHD symptoms as well. So rather than dope them up on Ritalin, I control their sugar. But the cravings are there and fruit just isn't enough to make her happy. On some days I give in. But I'm worried about them having gluten issues too. Since being on a restricted diet, both kids are performing in school very well; but is that my diet's fault or is it just maturity? Who knows... I wanna take credit, but like which diet to follow, one can never be for certain.

gwenr

What do you know about it? Do you think it's a real problem if a person is filling their TDEE (or at least BMR) with the proper amount of calories and a variety of foods?

This was the 'problem' I was referring to. It's only a problem if you think it is.

ZugTheMegasaurus

The solution is "moderation". But what counts as moderation? I mean, at what point should a child or adult be cut off?
Yes, eating a cupcake once and a while wouldn't be bad. But eating an entire cake would be terrible right?
And is it really Orthorexia Nervosa if you think you have a Gluten allergy because of a successful elimination diet but you have no insurance to verify it?

It's not indicative of any particular disorder to self-diagnose, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea. You can feel better without gluten without having an allergy, so the elimination diet could indeed work; however, diagnosing yourself rather than using a medical test isn't wise. If the diet works for you and makes you feel better, then do it! Save the allergy discussion for when you are able to afford to see a doctor.

And in my own opinion, defining behaviors as "good" and "bad" does more harm than good. Why is eating an entire cake terrible? Sure, it won't help you lose weight. But if you're starving for a month, it might be a real benefit to eat that much. It's a matter of perspective. If it would be bad for you, then choose not to do it. But not everyone has your goals or circumstances, so it's impossible to say that any particular action is universally good or bad.

funkyspunky872

Yes, it is a problem. It is an eating disorder just the same as anorexia, bulimia, BED, or EDNOS. It's not normal; it's an unhealthy obsession. Those with orthorexia eat only what they deem healthy and have no sense of moderation with 'junk' foods. They often cut entire food groups out of their diets. Many are also excessive exercisers. It's a mental disorder and should never be taken lightly. When food and exercise gets in the way of friends, family, and what YOU enjoy, then there's something wrong.

EccentricDad

I'm asking these questions because someone said something that completely knocked me off my confidence horse. Before my activity on the forums, I was a healthy, happy individual. But every day I'm on here, someone new is critiquing me saying that I'm unhealthy, disorderly, and overall a rotten person. I don't know what to believe any more...

OMG!!! Don't let STRANGERS get to you! Who gives a flying *kitten*? That said...if you put yourself out there SOMEONE is going to have something rude to say about it....you just have to ignore. IGNORE...seriously.

I had to close my Facebook account because I can't just Ignore. HSP's take everything personally because a person wouldn't say something that wasn't true right? My wife says I lack common sense. I think the real problem is I lack confidence and skepticism. But wouldn't the world be better if people who wear rose colored glasses like me didn't have to take the glasses off and see the world for what it seems to REALLY be?

gwenr

I'm not sure what the original post was before editing, so I'm kind of reacting to gwenr for the context.

I saw that sort of behavior when I was a kid with my best friend's dad. The whole family was healthy, no issues with health or weight, but my friend's dad was very weird about food restriction. He would not allow fat or sugar in the house. We'd go to bake cookies (as 10-year old girls will do) and every container that was supposed to have sugar in it would be crammed with artificial sweetener packets. The fridge was stocked with fat-free products to replace oils, butter, cheese, etc. My friend would crave the stuff so bad that she'd grab mayonnaise packets off the salad bar at school and just eat the whole thing (not on a sandwich or something, mind you, just sucked it right out of the packet).

He did it in the interests of health (and was very thin as a result) and was a nice guy, but the behavior was certainly harmful in some ways (probably more than the ways in which it was beneficial).

Okay, THIS..BUT...I also couldn't have anything with ARTIFICAL stuff in it either....so no regular OR diet soda. And yes, it led me to some behaviors like the above.

EccentricDad

obsessed is what lazy people call dedication.

I don't understand what you mean.