The intersection of nutrition and mental health is a commonly discussed topic. One area of nutrition and mental health that is not often discussed, though, is a condition called orthorexia. Orthorexia is a type of disordered eating that is generally interpreted as an unhealthy fixation on eating “pure” or “clean” foods.

Similar to anorexia, people with orthorexia restrict the food that they are eating but are more focused on the perceived quality of the food rather than quantity, which also carries the risk of malnutrition. Orthorexia can be an isolating condition that can require treatment from a variety of health professionals, including behavioral health clinicians, dietitians, and medical doctors.

For more information, check out https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/orthorexia/.