The costs may outweigh the benefits if you are obsessed with food, healthy eating, and living a pure lifestyle.A person's obsession with eating healthy and/or the purity and quality of their food is called orthorexia.The person's eating may become so restrictive that they suffer from malnutrition or their relationships and social life can begin to suffer, though you can still seek help from a doctor or mental health professional.If you want to begin living a more balanced lifestyle and manage your orthorexia, you need to address how it affects your life.Change your diet, your fitness routine, and the way you approach food.Don't be afraid to reach out for the support you need.
Step 1: Think about the cost of food.
Think about how your eating affects you.Having an inflexible diet is not the same as healthy eating.Having an extreme preoccupation with food, being judgmental of other people's choices, limiting your foods to a small selection of acceptable foods, and feeling extreme guilt are some of the costs of orthorexia.How are these things affecting you?How would you like them to change?You can also spend a lot of time on food preparation.If you are referred to as "obsessed" by people close to you, consider if they have expressed concern about your fixations.
Step 2: How is it affecting your life?
Your eating habits may interfere with your social life.If you have a lot of black list foods, you may not join your friends for lunch or dinner.Think about what you can do to connect with friends if you tend to socially isolation yourself.People are invited over to your home for dinner.There are activities that don't involve food.Join your friends for events around food as you work through treatment.If your friends haven't invited you to their usual activities, think about it.You could try to control activities so that your eating habits always come first, or you could lecture them about food choices.
Step 3: You can address your fitness habits.
Some people with orthorexia are obsessed with working out.Cut down on your workouts if you can't keep up with other areas of your life.If you work out for two hours a day, consider cutting it down to one hour.If your exercise is hurting your body and not helping it, you should work with a physician to figure out what limits to follow and what intensity to use.If you are tempted to ignore your physician's limitations or resume working out again before being medically cleared to do so, this is a major warning sign.
Step 4: You should get some blood tests.
Meeting with your doctor will help you work toward balanced health.If you want to check your health, ask for a blood test.You can use this to navigate any deficiencies you may have.You can find out your iron, vitamins, minerals, hormones, and cholesterol levels with a blood test.If you only eat fruit for a short period of time, you may not have enough vitamins and minerals to support your body.You can use a blood test to replenish your deficiencies.
Step 5: Talk to a doctor.
A dietitian can help you balance your eating.If you want to have optimal health, you should look at your diet.It can be difficult to make changes, but remember that a dietician is there to help you.People who refer to themselves as "nutritionists" should be cautious.In the United States, anyone can use this term without any qualifications.These people are often trying to sell you something.The requirements for licensure have been met by registered dietitians.You should make regular appointments with a dietician to keep track of your progress.Changes to your diet can make you feel better.
Step 6: It's a good idea to be flexible in your food choices.
strict food guidelines are part of orthorexia.Maybe you only eat clean foods or foods of a certain color.If you want to incorporate new or bad foods back into your diet, start by adding one new food every week.You don't need to start eating junk food right away.Start slowly and build up to a level that is still healthy.Discuss what foods you need with your doctor.Some deficiencies need immediate attention.If you want to strike an appropriate and sustainable balance in your diet, you need to coordinate care between your mental health profession and your dietitian.
Step 7: You should include feared foods in your diet.
As you begin to be more flexible in your diet, try to eat feared foods.Some people like chocolate, sugar, or bagels.For some, it may be fruit or dairy.If you fear it, take a small challenge to eat it.It can help you overcome your fear.It is okay to enjoy food in moderation.
Step 8: You should make decisions based on what you want.
People with orthorexia make decisions based on their food choices.You can learn to follow your body's signals instead of following rigid rules about what to eat and when.Don't eat when you are supposed to.Listen to your body and ask yourself, "What would I like to eat for breakfast?" instead of following a strict diet.Talking it through with a trusted family member or friend can help you identify your body's signals.Journaling may be helpful.
Step 9: You can see a therapist.
If you are having a hard time dealing with orthorexia on your own, you may want to talk to someone.A therapist can help you work through your emotions and create a relationship with food that supports you better.You can get a referral to a therapist from your insurance provider, general doctor, or mental health clinic.Ask your friends and family for a recommendation.
Step 10: Take medication.
Some people find medication helpful in treating orthorexia.If you want to see if medications are a good option for you, work with a Psychiatrist.There are drugs that can address anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms.You can find a psychiatrist by calling your insurance provider.You can talk to your physician about getting a referral.
Step 11: Have feelings of guilt.
You may feel guilty or shame if you stray from your strict routine.You might associate your identity with the foods you eat and the lifestyle you live.If you occasionally eat something that is not healthy, it is okay to have a diet full of variety.What you eat is who you are and your identity is not in the foods you avoid.Accept your decision and move on.Don't let your bad choice define you, your self-worth, or your identity.Ask a trusted friend or family member to sit with you while you eat and visit after.This can be used to distract you from eating.
Step 12: Take care of life's issues head-on.
Some people use orthorexia to avoid dealing with other problems.These could include painful emotions.Some people get into alcohol or drug problems first, while others fixate on a specific thing.It might be time to take a more honest look if you ignore your problems and focus on food and pure eating.Instead of avoiding or ignoring your problems, begin to tackle them one by one.You can help yourself by working with a therapist.Your trouble may not be limited to food and diet, so take a look at any other ways you might be self-medicating.If you have had an obsession with something in the past, think about it.Over a lifetime it is common for addictions to shift.Ask trusted friends or family for their opinions on your situation.