Is Your Healthy Diet Turning Into an Obsession? Four Signs of Orthorexia

Orthorexia is a subclinical preoccupation with “pure” or perfect eating that can disrupt daily life. Not yet a formal DSM-5 diagnosis, it’s recognized as a disordered eating pattern by health professionals. Four common signs are extreme food restrictions or rigid rules about what you can eat; spending excessive time analyzing ingredient lists or researching nutrition; anxiety or guilt when breaking self-imposed food rules; and social life interference due to food concerns. Social media pressures can fuel this tendency. With support from a dietitian or therapist, you can recover by embracing balanced, sustainable eating rather than perfection; if you’re struggling, contact a professional or call 988 for help.