Orthorexia When healthy food becomes a constant compulsion

Orthorexia: When eating healthy becomes compulsive
We eat to get full. We eat certain foods because we like them. But what if food determines our lives and our body alone is responsible for our own happiness or misfortune? In a so-called orthorectic nutritional behavior, the affected people force themselves to healthy diet and are afraid to get ill through unhealthy diet.

The compulsion to eat healthy food. Image: master1305 - fotolia

Orthorexia translates as "right appetite". Those who eat orthorectically define themselves what is considered healthy. While some refrain from eating individual foods (eg no table sugar), other whole food groups and only eat raw food. Likewise, certain types of preparation or fixed schedules (eg, after 18 clock eat nothing more) for meal intake characterize the compulsive behavior.

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia (bulimia nervosa) and binge eating disorder (Binge Eating Disorder) are currently considered eating disorders. These three classic eating disorders are not always clearly differentiated. In part, mixed forms exist. Whether it is the orthorectic nutritional behavior is another eating disorder, is still being discussed. Detailed information on orthorexia with a self-test can be found on the website of IN FORM - Germany's initiative for healthy nutrition and more exercise www.in-form.de.