Healthy Mama Magazine Issue 7 - January 2015

feature LIFESTYLE Can you be too Yes YOU can! urely in today’s obesogenic environment with alarming rates of chronic disease, there would be no such phrase as ‘being too healthy’ right? Let me introduce you to a condition becoming more and more prevalent, now known as orthorexia. By Tara L eong, The Nutrit ion Guru and The Chef It is characterized by a preoccupation with avoiding foods perceived as being unhealthy. Sufferers only eat foods deemed as ‘healthy’ and limit certain food groups in order to prevent ill health and disease. Weight loss is also a motivator but not always the main driver. Sufferers often avoid pesticides, gluten, phytates, acid forming foods or are obsessed with choosing free range, organic, activated, unheated, and concepts such as ‘eating clean.’ Now, of course living a healthy and disease free life is something every single one of us should be aiming for and the above health choices are certainly ones in which can benefit us. The difference with orthorexia sufferers, is that they are unable to deviate from their chosen health choices and this behavior begins to negatively impact their life physically, mentally and socially. MAG 33

Healthy Mama Magazine Issue 7 - January 2015 | Page 33