Orthorexia is an obsession with eating healthy food and can significantly reduce your quality of life.
Simply choosing healthy foods does not mean you are orthorexic. However if you answer 'yes', to four or five of the following questions, it may be time to loosen up about food (adapted from the The Bratman Test for Orthorexia).
1. Do you spend more than 3 hours a day thinking about your diet?
2. Do you plan your meals several days ahead?
3. Is the nutritional value of your meal more important than the pleasure of eating it?
4. Has the quality of your life decreased as the quality of your diet has increased?
5. Have you become stricter with yourself lately?
6. Does your self-esteem get a boost from eating healthily?
7. Have you given up foods you used to enjoy in order to eat the ‘right’ foods
8. Does your diet make it difficult for you to eat out, distancing you from family and friends?
9. Do you feel guilty when you stray from your diet?
10. Do you feel at peace with yourself and in total control when you eat healthily?
A balanced approach to healthy eating should have a positive effect on wellbeing without reducing the enjoyment of life or affecting relationships. Click here if you want to learn more about nutrition and balanced eating.
