It starts with a simple goal: Get healthy.
For most vegans, cutting out all animal products from their diet isn’t just a moral choice–it’s a healthy one as well. And for blogger Jordan Younger, who founded the blog The Blonde Vegan, she found fame while chronicling her meticulous vegan diet for thousands of fans.
A year later, however, Younger made an announcement to her fans: She was quitting veganism.
But why?
Younger says it was because she developed an eating disorder, called orthorexia nervosa.
“A lot of people haven’t heard of orthorexia, which is not surprising to me at all,” says Younger, who currently lives in New York City. “I started realizing that I had vitamin deficiency. I was malnourished. I was very much restricting myself through the shield of veganism.”
In a blog post titled “Why I’m Transitioning Away from Veganism,” Younger announced she was getting help–which now has many people questioning if diets can truly be eating disorders in disguise.
“The new message is all about balance,” says Younger. “Do whatever you’re doing in moderation.”
What is Orthorexia?
Chances are if you haven’t heard of the term, there’s a good reason why: It’s not officially considered a disease in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In fact, the term was invented by Steven Bratman, M.D. a decade ago to describe an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating, something he too struggled with.
While most experts stress that trying to eat a healthy diet isn’t a bad thing, it’s the emotions behind it that can drive an eating disorder–such as obsessing about the health content of food to the point of starvation. Avoiding eating unless the food is considered “pure” or having a panic attack over eating the wrong meal are also signs of orthorexia nervosa. A healthy diet should make you feel better–but when it comes to this disorder, you’re in constant stress mode.
So if you have it, what do you do?
“First, the orthorexic must admit there is a problem, then identify what caused the obsession,” says Karin Kratina, Ph.D., R.D., LD/N, a contributor to the National Eating Disorders Association. “Recovered orthorexics will still eat healthfully, but there will be a different understanding of what healthy eating is. They will realize that food will not make them a better person and that basing their self-esteem on the quality of their diet is irrational.”
In turn, Kratina recommends seeking professional help if you believe you have orthorexia–preferably from a health practitioner familiar with treating eating disorders.
Of course, healing from this disorder will take a lot of time and patience, something Younger is quickly learning.
“I am getting help in other areas too, and I am beyond okay with admitting that,” says Younger. “I have always been a huge advocate of therapy and getting to know oneself on a deeper label, and I feel very lucky to be connecting with myself in a whole new way.”
Readers: Do you believe orthorexia is a true eating disorder, or is there no such thing as being “too healthy?”
Sources:
Popular Diet Blogger Reveals Eating Disorder to Her 70000 Followers – ABCNews.go.com
Why I’m Transitioning Away From Veganism – TheBlondeVegan.com
About Orthorexia Nervosa – NationalEatingDisorders.org
About The Author: Zero to Hero Fitness
Our mission at Zero to Hero Fitness is to help you to finally lose the weight and keep it off, strengthen your body and mind, and experience naturally high levels of energy throughout the day. We believe everyone, regardless of your past or current struggles with your health or fitness, can greatly improve on your existing condition and live life in your best body possible.