Experts name signs of dangerous healthy lifestyle and orthorexia

An over-focus on eating right can lead to the eating disorder known as orthorexia, nutritionists Beth Auger and Beth Heise have warned. They revealed this and other signs of a dangerous healthy lifestyle in a conversation with HuffPost.

According to experts, an eating disorder develops unnoticed by both the person and his environment. Sometimes a problem can be identified by subtle, obvious changes in behavior, Auger says. Thus, she called for caution if a person sets strict restrictions on food without medical justification, constantly analyzes the composition of dishes and is very worried about violating his own invented rules.

The problem can also manifest itself as refusal to go out with friends due to uncertainty about food and feelings of guilt after eating “forbidden” foods. “It’s an obsession with what a person thinks is the right or healthy way to eat,” Heise said.

Experts noted that healthy eating does not require perfect adherence to the rules. They recommended focusing on eating more variety, and if you have anxiety related to thoughts about food, see a dietitian or therapist who works with eating disorders.