I am scared of unclean food - Pls HELP!

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Hi, I have an issue with eating anything that i deemed as unhealthy. Which is hurting my social life. I only eat clean or when i can count calories (healthily). Today, i didnt join lunch as it was a pizza hut lunch, i hid at the lobby to eat 1 apple, handful of almonds and 1 cup of yoghurt. I think this is affecting my mental health (GREATLY) and i am already worrying what will be for dinner later (going to go out again!). I am constantly searching for nutrition of the restaurants. I am leading my life with counting of calories and macros.

I hardly want to go out and socialise because food choices are unhealthy. My head is clouded with thoughts of food and exercise. I cant function well. I need help, anyone experienced this before?

I need support or anyone who can give me advice !
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Replies

  • oneoddsock
    oneoddsock Posts: 321 Member
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    A therapist can give you support and advice. A nutritionist might also be a good resource for you.
  • PearlAng
    PearlAng Posts: 681 Member
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    It sounds a bit unhealthy, as you have mentioned :( I would seek medical help. I once went through something similar, and I became a lot happier when I began thinking of foods as neutral. There does not have to be "good" or "bad" or "healthy" or "unhealthy" foods. Perhaps look into the concept of IIFYM? I wish you luck. There is so much more to enjoy in life
  • maddyk91
    maddyk91 Posts: 193 Member
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    Sounds like you have an unhealthy obsession with your control over food. You should probably not be talking to a community of randos and instead a doctor or therapist. :wink:

    It's awesome that you recognized this unhealthy relationship on your own!
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,089 Member
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    You need to seek professional help
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
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    How is yogurt "clean"? It's full of bacteria and is packaged. Your classification system makes no sense. Seek professional counsel.
  • LeeAnnW23
    LeeAnnW23 Posts: 15 Member
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    You have to remember that when you are invited out it is not always about the food. It is about socializing. If you need to, eat before you go out but still go out with friends. They will understand that you are trying to be healthy and that you have already eaten. Another option is to look at the menu ahead of time and decide if there is something that you would enjoy but still stay within your calorie budget. There are a lot of resturants that are offering healthier choices. The important thing is to get out and be social and don't let the lack of food choices hold you back.
  • jmichaelminton
    jmichaelminton Posts: 47 Member
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    Funnily enough, when I first saw the thread title, I thought you meant 'unclean' in a Biblical sense.

    Anyway, like others mentioned, a nutritionist would be a great resource for you! I, too, worry about counting calories and eating healthy; however, I do not let it get in the way of a social life. I still go out to restaurants and eat the occasional greasy slice of pizza at a meeting. The key is accounting for it in your food log in order to make sure that you do not exceed your caloric intake and nutrient requirements.
  • IrZeo
    IrZeo Posts: 58 Member
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    Recognition of this issue is one step in the right direction. But, people here are right... you really need to go and see a therapist or dietician. Or both.

    I feel you, though. I panic now when I know I'm going to eat something that I deem as fattening, etc. The way I deal with it now is.. still have those foods, but make up for it in my workout - and make sure to not make it a regular thing.

    Good luck.
  • Vex3521
    Vex3521 Posts: 385 Member
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    I would talk to someone to help work through the added stress this is causing. You can find coping skills and start to minimize the impact so you can start being able to enjoy yourself more on outings by taking the food focus out of them.
  • PJR1985
    PJR1985 Posts: 14
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    Please read up on IIFYM. Also professional help is nothing to be ashamed or afraid of. There is no such thing as 'clean' or 'dirty' foods. Moderation is key and accepting that will allow you to release some of the control. It's hard, I get it. I've never really had a totally healthy relationship with food and I'm not saying I do now, but I'm getting there and I no longer panic when asked out to dinner. I plan accordingly and take a step back from the numbers to look at the life happening around me.
  • healthygreek
    healthygreek Posts: 2,137 Member
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    You have to live life! Stop labeling food as clean and dirty! Just go and watch how much you eat. Save calories so you can eat a bit more!
    For example, this past Saturday I ate breakfast normally (2 jumbo eggs on a slice of WW toast), for lunch I just had some almonds and a piece of fruit and for dinner at Dos Caminos (nyc), I had a blast with family and friends:
    2 shots tequila
    Guacamole and warm tortilla chips
    Mac and cheese
    Black beans
    Roasted red snapper
    All for about 900 calories, which was under my goal for the day!
    I forgot to mention I had also worked off 500 calories earlier in the day.
    You see, there is no need whatsoever to avoid socializing at restaurants! Just take a bit more care in planning your day.
    Avoiding fun is a recipe for disaster!
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
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    This is called an eating disorder (orthorexia comes to mind). Seek professional help. Recognizing you have a problem is the first step, so you're already moving towards recovery. Good luck.

    Staying off MFP might be good in the meantime.
  • BigT555
    BigT555 Posts: 2,068 Member
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    what others are saying. worry less about the content (not that that isnt important, but you are focusing wayy to much on that right now), and more about the size of portions. if you cant do that without worrying then you need to seek professional help
    LeeAnnW23 wrote: »
    You have to remember that when you are invited out it is not always about the food. It is about socializing. If you need to, eat before you go out but still go out with friends. They will understand that you are trying to be healthy and that you have already eaten. Another option is to look at the menu ahead of time and decide if there is something that you would enjoy but still stay within your calorie budget. There are a lot of resturants that are offering healthier choices. The important thing is to get out and be social and don't let the lack of food choices hold you back.

    also this
  • esjones12
    esjones12 Posts: 1,363 Member
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    thorsmom01 wrote: »
    You need to seek professional help

  • beastmode_kitty
    beastmode_kitty Posts: 842 Member
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    You should never really avoid social situations just because less healthier foods are there. Flexible dieting/IIFYM really helps you, and you can still lose weight.

    I'd seriously have a talk with a nutritionist/dietician as well as a therapist. Don't let this get too out of hand!
  • srslybritt
    srslybritt Posts: 1,618 Member
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    blbst36 wrote: »

    To echo everyone else... yes, seek help.
  • nuttynanners
    nuttynanners Posts: 249 Member
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    How is yogurt "clean"? It's full of bacteria and is packaged. Your classification system makes no sense. Seek professional counsel.

    Yes, but full of good bacteria that your gut needs. Yogurt isn't inherently bad, although some yogurts are healthier than others.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
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    1.) get help.
    2.) there is no such thing as "unclean foods" unless it fell on the floor and is covered in dog hair
    3.) see number 1.
  • Showtime1978
    Showtime1978 Posts: 109 Member
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    PJR1985 wrote: »
    Please read up on IIFYM. Also professional help is nothing to be ashamed or afraid of. There is no such thing as 'clean' or 'dirty' foods. Moderation is key and accepting that will allow you to release some of the control. It's hard, I get it. I've never really had a totally healthy relationship with food and I'm not saying I do now, but I'm getting there and I no longer panic when asked out to dinner. I plan accordingly and take a step back from the numbers to look at the life happening around me.
    Perfect response...I TOTALLY agree!