Orthorexia is the latest love-hate relationship that has developed between mainly women and food.
Orthorexia is “a fairly new classification of eating disorder characterized by an utter obsession for healthy eating. For the orthorexic, disavowing cheese, fat, meat and bread is a way to feel pure and healthy. But their fascination for food choices quickly becomes an unhealthy fixation.”
This eating disorder is easily masked as a food allergy unless you know what to look for. Here are some questions from MSN.Health to ask yourself to be sure your friend or loved one isn’t disguising her disordered eating with a food allergy:
• How does she look?
Those living with food allergies become adept at managing their diets so that their nutritional needs are met. Their health doesn’t necessarily suffer. Orthorexics, on the other hand, become so obsessed that malnutrition and even emaciation can result.
• Does her story change?
Women with food intolerances have a finite list of items to avoid. Those with eating disorders will change their tune to fit the social situation; orthorexics will continually add to their list of restricted foods.
• Are there other symptoms?
Sufferers of eating disorders often become compulsive about not only what they eat but also how they eat it (how the food is arranged on the plate, which utensils are used, where they sit). Food-allergy sufferers, on the other hand, are simply happy to be able to eat.
Digg this Blog
Share on Facebook
WatchMojo on Twitter
WatchMojo on YouTube
Add to Favorites
WatchMojo Newsletter
The H1N1 Flu strain was first seen in Mexico in early 2009, and quickly gained momentum and reached pandemic proportions. While several deaths have been reported from the illness, causing panic, it is important to note that in most cases ‘Swine flu’ – as it is referred to colloquially – is likely no more dangerous than traditional seasonal influenza. In this video, WatchMojo.com speaks with physician Dr. Pierre-Paul Tellier to learn more about the groups most affected by the swine flu virus, as well as what steps to take to avoid becoming sick, and finally what to do if you start to show symptoms.
