Physically Speaking: Eating clean to the extreme

“Orthorexia Nervosa” is an obsession with eating foods that one considers healthy.  It is a form of dysfunctional eating, characterized by a preoccupation with ‘clean’ eating and an avoidance of specific foods in the belief that they are harmful.

 

While Orthorexia Nervosa is not currently considered a medical diagnosis or disorder, many people suffer from negative health symptoms associated with this ‘clean and healthy’ eating fixation. In the mainstream global culture, there is an emphasis on admiration of lean body shapes, and an obsession with and focus on ‘pure’ foods and ‘healthy’ eating. Women’s bodies, sizes and eating patterns are scrutinized, idolized and/or criticized on social media platforms. Female athletes are also vulnerable to these societal pressures. Additionally, many athletes struggle with orthorexia due to:

 

• Increased pressure to meet specific expectations about how they look 
• Misguided belief about the health benefits of certain foods
• False information or beliefs about the performance benefits of certain foods or dietary practices that are not supported by research

 

The incidence of Orthorexia is on the rise. Athletic populations, who must meet high energy and nutrient needs to perform at their best, are at greater risk for negative physical, mental and emotional health outcomes and reduced ability to perform. Orthorexia usually begins as a well-meaning attempt to eat healthy food; gradually sufferers develop a fixation with food quality and purity. They become obsessed with what to eat, how much to eat, and when to eat. Typically, foods are limited to certified organic and whole foods. As the condition progresses, foods are systematically cut out and often, whole food groups are totally eliminated from the diet.

 

WHEN EATING “TOO HEALTHY” BECOMES A PROBLEM…

 

It is important that an athlete’s food plan is balanced and meets energy and nutritional needs. When an overly strict diet, with rigid or limited food choices leads to elimination of whole food groups or subgroups (such as carbohydrates, gluten or grain, dairy, red meats or animal proteins) the athlete’s health will be compromised. 

 

This can cause major health issues such as:

“A healthy outside starts from the inside.”

– Robert Urich (Film Star)

 

THOUGHTS AND BELIEFS ABOUT FOOD

 

For orthorexia sufferers, self-esteem and self-worth are linked to their beliefs and around food groups and judgements of food choices as ‘good’ or ‘bad’.

 

For example: “I feel good about myself because I made good food selections, and only ate vegetables and whole grains” or “I feel bad about myself today, as I ate a dessert and I drank a sports drink which contains sugars/ carbohydrates.”

 

An important difference between true healthy eating and orthorexia, is the intense guilt and shame which accompanies those food choices the athlete makes which she considers to be ‘unclean’ or ‘unhealthy’ or not ‘pure’ enough.

 

Orthorexia may impact and reduce a person’s social life. Individuals may isolate themselves to avoid situations where they perceive the food options are problematic, for example, dining at restaurants or in the player lounge with others.

Other signs of unhealthy obsession and misguided thinking about food include considerable time and focus on:

RISK FACTORS FOR ORTHOREXIA NERVOSA

 

There is not a one-size-fits-all set of criteria for orthorexia. Instead, ask yourself the following questions.

A “yes” answer to several of these, may that you may be at risk of developing or have an eating-related problem.

• Do your food choices significantly impact your happiness, meaning in life, or spirituality? 
• Do you feel anxious about food that you did not prepare yourself?
• Does one ‘wrong’ food choice spoil your day, your performance or worry you?
• Do you feel guilty when you stray from or don’t stick exactly to your special diet?
• Does your diet make you feel superior to or more virtuous than other people?
• Do avoid, or not eat certain foods because they are not ‘pure’ or ‘clean’?
• Do foods help you feel in control more than really makes sense?
• Do you exercise more or restrict food intake when you believe you had a ‘bad’ eating day or made a ‘wrong’ food choice?
• Do you find yourself thinking about food a lot of the time?

Do you feel that you must, or you should use increasingly limited or extreme dietary choices to achieve the same emotional satisfaction?

Behaviors of orthorexia sufferers are often praised by others, who wish to copy them. Media platforms, social media influencers, bloggers, vloggers, celebrity chefs and public perceptions often perpetuate false and misleading beliefs and information around food and body shapes. Similarly, well-meaning ‘experts’ without nutritional qualifications and certification, such as fitness trainers, coaches and others may encourage unhealthy orthorexia beliefs and habits. Orthorexia sufferers are empowered by the praise they get from others when they're eating ‘right’ which creates a vicious cycle, and may lead to the health problems discussed above.

 

“In a society that says, ‘Put yourself last,’ self-love and self-acceptance are almost revolutionary.” - Berne Brown (Researcher)

RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE

 

It can be difficult to admit to a problem with food and eating patterns. It is possible to free yourself from food obsessions.

 

Recovery is possible for orthorexia sufferers who want to change their food habits and who are prepared to learn new ways to relate to and think about food. The recovery process includes gaining a different and more accurate understanding of what healthy eating is and how to eat to nourish the body and mind. (National Eating Disorders Association)

 

Professional help to examine the mental and emotional side of food behaviors is necessary to overcome orthorexia. Do consult with a licensed psychotherapist, registered dietitian, and qualified medical doctor. Your primary care physician can guide you to the right resources.

 

Use these reminders to help reframe your beliefs about food:

• Food does not make you a better or worse person. Your worth, value, and self-esteem are not based on the quality or choice of your food
• Your energy, time, and resources should focus on things which you value other than what you eat or how you look.
• Your life and your identity includes many valuable things, such as friends, family, tennis, fun, spirituality and hobbies.
• Food is necessary to nourish and fuel your body and mind; it is one aspect of life and not your whole life

 

When food choices frequently dictate your feelings or mood, it is time to seek help.

 

The contents of the Health site are for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical, psychiatric, psychological, health care or health management advice.  The materials herein are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk.

 

Thank you to WTA Athlete Assistance Department, Jessica Lidner, Sports Psychologist

and Kathy Martin, Counsellor