What Is Orthorexia? Understanding the Obsession with Healthy Eating

In today’s wellness-obsessed world, eating healthy is often seen as a badge of honor. But what happens when your quest for clean eating becomes unhealthy? This is the reality for people struggling with orthorexia nervosa, a condition where the pursuit of healthy eating turns into a harmful obsession.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore what orthorexia is, its signs and symptoms, causes, risk factors, and how it impacts your health. We’ll also share when and why it’s important to seek professional support—and how my services can help you optimize your mental wellness and relationship with food.

What Is Orthorexia?

Orthorexia nervosa—commonly referred to simply as orthorexia—is a type of disordered eating where individuals become excessively preoccupied with eating foods they perceive as healthy, pure, or clean. Over time, this fixation can cause severe disruptions in mental health, physical health, and social life.

Unlike balanced healthy eating, orthorexia involves:

Rigid dietary rules
Elimination of entire food groups
Obsessive tracking of ingredients and nutrients
Frequent detoxes and cleansing rituals

Initially, many people are motivated by a desire to improve health, manage allergies, or boost energy. However, as orthorexia develops, these habits become compulsive and can actually undermine the very health they are meant to support.

Is Orthorexia an Eating Disorder?

Orthorexia is not yet officially recognized as a clinical eating disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, it is widely considered a serious form of disordered eating. Research shows that orthorexia shares similarities with:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD)
Illness anxiety disorder (health anxiety)
Even elements of psychosis in extreme cases

Many experts believe orthorexia deserves its own diagnostic criteria due to the profound impacts it can have on health and well-being.

When Does Healthy Eating Become Unhealthy?

Knowing where to draw the line between healthy eating and unhealthy obsession can be difficult. After all, who doesn’t want to fuel their body with nutritious foods?

Problems arise when healthy eating leads to:

Emotional distress if “unapproved” foods are eaten
Loss of enjoyment in meals and eating
Nutritional deficiencies from overly restrictive diets
Social isolation due to dietary restrictions
Decline in physical and mental health

It’s especially tricky because early on, you might notice improvements in energy levels, mood, or appearance, making it easy to dismiss warning signs.

Signs and Symptoms of Orthorexia

Recognizing orthorexia early is essential. Common signs include:

Obsessive thoughts about food quality and purity
Rigid meal planning and eating rituals
Severe anxiety around eating certain foods
Avoidance of social events involving food
Feelings of guilt or shame after eating “impure” foods
Frequent detoxes, cleanses, or fasting rituals
Hyper-focus on how healthfully others are eating
Preoccupation with body image and physical health

Orthorexia often involves black-and-white thinking about food: it’s either good or bad, clean or toxic, healthy or dangerous. This rigid mindset can severely disrupt a person’s ability to maintain a balanced, fulfilling life.

What Causes Orthorexia?

The exact causes of orthorexia nervosa are still being researched, but several contributing factors have been identified:

Personality traits: High levels of perfectionism, need for control, and obsessive tendencies
Mental health history: Existing conditions like OCD, anxiety, or past eating disorders
Negative body image: Excessive concern about appearance and weight
Family history: Having relatives with eating disorders or mental health issues
Societal pressures: Emphasis on clean eating, wellness, and thinness in modern culture

Age and Vulnerability

While some studies suggest adolescents and young adults are more vulnerable to orthorexia, research shows it can affect people at any age.

Social and Environmental Risk Factors

Orthorexia is influenced heavily by our environment. Some groups are particularly at risk, including:

Highly educated and high-income individuals who have more access to health foods
Health and fitness professionals such as dietitians, yoga instructors, and personal trainers
Athletes, especially those involved in endurance sports or bodybuilding
Followers of exclusionary diets (e.g., vegan, paleo, gluten-free) — although findings are mixed
Consumers of health-focused media, particularly Instagram and wellness podcasts
Users of diet and fitness tracking apps, which can promote rigid eating habits

Social media, in particular, often glamorizes extreme clean eating and “detox” culture, reinforcing unrealistic and unhealthy ideals.

The Impact of Orthorexia on Mental and Physical Health

Mild orthorexia symptoms might lead to fatigue or stress, but severe cases can cause:

Chronic anxiety and depression
Emotional distress around food choices
Insomnia and poor sleep quality
Chronic fatigue and low energy
Strained relationships and social withdrawal
Development of other eating disorders, like anorexia or bulimia

Physical consequences of orthorexia can include:

Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies
Hormonal imbalances
Menstrual irregularities
Decreased bone density
Blood sugar instability

Paradoxically, the pursuit of “perfect” health can end up causing serious health complications.

How to Heal from Orthorexia

If you recognize signs of orthorexia in yourself or someone you love, know that healing is possible. It often involves:

Working with an experienced therapist specializing in eating disorders
Rebuilding a flexible, intuitive relationship with food
Learning to challenge rigid food rules and beliefs
Addressing underlying anxiety, perfectionism, or self-worth issues

Support from compassionate, knowledgeable professionals is key to recovering your health, joy, and freedom around food.

How I Can Help You Heal Your Relationship With Food

As a specialist in eating behavior, emotional wellness, and mental health optimization, I offer personalized services to help you:

✅ Identify and challenge obsessive food patterns
✅ Rebuild trust in your body and instincts
✅ Cultivate a flexible, balanced approach to eating
✅ Address perfectionism, anxiety, and control issues at the root
✅ Reclaim your social life, joy, and vitality

I combine evidence-based psychological techniques with practical strategies to help you optimize your health and well-being without falling into harmful patterns of disordered eating.

If you’re struggling with orthorexia symptoms or disordered eating, I’m here to guide you back to balance and self-trust.
Contact me today to start your journey toward real health—mind, body, and soul.

In Summary:
Orthorexia is a serious condition that often hides behind the mask of “healthy living.” True wellness isn’t about rigid food rules or perfection—it’s about nourishment, enjoyment, and freedom.
If you recognize yourself in these patterns, reaching out for support could change your life.

Ready to heal and thrive? Let’s work together.

Causes and Risk Factors

While the precise causes of orthorexia nervosa remain under investigation, several factors contribute:

Psychological predisposition: Perfectionism, need for control, anxiety disorders
Personal history: Prior eating disorders, negative body image, illness anxiety
Family history: Relatives with eating disorders or OCD
Sociocultural influences: Social media, wellness trends, diet culture
Professional and social contexts: Health professionals, athletes, wellness influencers

Keywords: orthorexia causes, risk factors orthorexia, diet culture.

Location Specific Support Services

Below you’ll find information on professional services tailored to your region. Each service to help residents in your area find the expert support they need.

Online Orthorexia Support Services (ONLINE) in Ireland, UK, UAE, Australia, USA and worldwide remotely ONLINE Eating Disorder Therapy

Registered Nutritionist (Online): Evidence-based meal planning, tailored food plans, virtual consultations to restore balanced nutrition. Benefits: Flexible scheduling, digital food diaries, remote nutrient analysis, personalised supplement advice.
Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist (Online): Hypnotherapy sessions to alleviate food-related anxiety and negative thought patterns. Benefits: Deep relaxation, cognitive reframing, reduced food obsession.
RTT & Advanced RTT Therapist (Online): Rapid Transformational Therapy to rewire limiting beliefs about food and health. Benefits: Swift breakthroughs, lasting behavioural change, reduced perfectionism.
Counselling & Psychotherapy (Online): Holistic emotional support focusing on self-esteem, body image, and anxiety management. Benefits: Safe virtual environment, confidentiality, integrated mind-body approach.

Providing: online orthorexia treatment, virtual nutritionist, online hypnotherapy for eating disorders, teletherapy orthorexia & other conditions

Adare, Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West Limerick Disordered Eating, Orthorexia Treatment & Eating Disorders Therapy

Registered Nutritionist in Newcastle West Limerick: Local face-to-face consultations to rebalance your diet. Benefits: In-person gut health testing, cooking workshops, community support.
Clinical Hypnotherapy in Newcastle West Limerick Hypnotherapy sessions targeting food fears and rigid beliefs. Benefits: Local clinic access, tailored hypnosis scripts, ongoing support.
Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist, RTT in Newcastle West: Combined hypnotherapy and RTT for deep-seated change. Benefits: Immediate anxiety relief, transformative mindset shifts, follow-up integration sessions.
Counselling & Psychotherapy in Limerick: Professional therapy to address underlying perfectionism and control issues. Benefits: Local therapeutic network, group therapy options, cognitive-behavioural techniques.

Keywords: orthorexia Newcastle West, Limerick nutritionist, hypnotherapy Limerick, CBT orthorexia Limerick.

Charleville, Fermoy, Midleton, Youghal, Cork Disordered Eating, Orthorexia Recovery & Eating Disorder Therapy

Registered Nutritionist in Midleton Youghal Fermoy Cork: Personalised plans considering local cuisine and lifestyle. Benefits: Market tours, seasonal menus, supplement guidance.
Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist & Hypnosis in Midleton Youghal Fermoy Cork: Hypnosis to reduce stress around eating and rebuild self-trust. Benefits: Relaxation techniques, habit reversal, boosted self-confidence.
Advanced RTT Therapist, Clinical Hypnotherapy in Midleton Youghal Fermoy Cork: RTT protocols to eradicate limiting beliefs about food. Benefits: Lasting neural rewiring, faster recovery, enhanced mental clarity.
Counselling & Psychotherapy in Midleton Youghal Fermoy Cork: In-person sessions tackling emotional roots of orthorexia. Benefits: Trauma-informed practice, body positivity work, peer support groups.

Providing: orthorexia help in Charleville, Midleton, Fermoy, Youghal, Cork and East Cork Nutritionist, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, Hypnotherapy, Hypnosis Cork, RTT Cork, Eating Disorders Counselling and Psychotherapy Youghal.

Dungarvan, Waterford Disordered Eating Therapy, Orthorexia Healing & Eating Disorder Therapy

Registered Nutritionist in Dungarvan Waterford: Whole-food meal plans, deficiency testing, cooking demonstrations. Benefits: Coastal food sourcing, personalised detox adjustments, ongoing meal plan reviews.
Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist in Dungarven Waterford: Hypnotherapy designs for lasting emotional balance around food. Benefits: Deep trance work, stress relief, reduced food fixation.
Advanced RTT & Hypnosis in Dungarven Waterford: Combined RTT and hypnosis for quick, sustainable change. Benefits: Empowered mindsets, improved self-esteem, behaviour modification.
Counselling & Psychotherapy in Dungarven Waterford: Tailored therapeutic support to restore healthy eating behaviours. Benefits: Compassionate counselling, CBT and ACT techniques, relapse prevention strategies.

Providing: orthorexia Dungarvan, Waterford nutrition support, hypnotherapy Waterford, counselling Waterford.

Comprehensive Disordered Eating and Orthorexia Treatment Strategies

Nutritional Rehabilitation with a Registered Nutritionist: Restore nutrient balance, reintroduce restricted foods, monitor gut health.
Mind-Body, Subconcious Mind Work and Techniques via Hypnotherapy, Hypnosis, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy & Clinical Hypnotherapy: Overcome food anxieties, reduce obsessive thought patterns.
Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT): Identify and release underlying traumas and limiting beliefs in a single or few sessions.
Psychological Support through Counselling & Psychotherapy: Address perfectionism, control issues, and boost self-worth.

Providing: orthorexia therapy, orthorexia treatment plan, RTT for orthorexia, hypnotherapy orthorexia, nutrition therapy orthorexia, psychotherapy orthorexia.

How to Start Your Journey to Recovery from Eating Disorders

Self-Assessment: Review the signs and symptoms checklist above. Are you experiencing multiple red flags?
Reach Out: Contact a local or online specialist—Registered Nutritionist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, RTT Therapist, Counsellor or Psychotherapist.
Personalised Plan: Collaborate on a strategy combining nutrition, mind-body work, and multi dimensional integrative therapy.
Follow Through: Commit to regular sessions, group support, and practical exercises to build resilience.

Orthorexia recovery is a multi-faceted process, but with tailored expert support, you can rebuild a peaceful, nourishing relationship with food.

Why Choose Our Services? Counselling | Nutritionist | Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy | RTT | CBT

Holistic Mind, Emotional and Body Approach, A full and complete approach to health: Integrating nutritional, emotional, psychological, mind coaching and hypnotherapeutic modalities (as requested /required ) to help you with your recovery and your healing.
Expert Practitioners: Registered Nutritionists, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapists, Advanced RTT Therapists, Counsellors and Psychotherapists—all accredited and experienced.
Flexible Delivery: Face-to-face in Newcastle West, Youghal, Dungarvan and Waterford, or fully online sessions Ireland, USA, UK-wide.
Proven Results: Past clients report reduced anxiety, restored energy, and freedom from compulsive eating patterns.
Local Knowledge: In-person services tailored to regional lifestyles, food availability, and cultural preferences.

Providing: best orthorexia treatment, accredited nutritionist Ireland, hypnotherapy Ireland, RTT Ireland, psychotherapy Ireland.

Begin Your Path to Balanced Eating Today

Are you ready to break free from the chains of orthorexia? Our dedicated team of Registered Nutritionists, Clinical Hypnotherapists, Advanced RTT Therapists, Counsellors, and Psychotherapists is here to guide you—online and across Ireland in Adare, Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West, Limerick; Midleton, Fermoy, Youghal, Cork; and Dungarvan, Waterford.

Contact us now to schedule your initial assessment and take the first step towards a joyful, unrestricted life.

Online Booking: Schedule a consultation
Newcastle West, Adare & Limerick Clinic: +353 87 616 6638 + 353 87 716 8844
Youghal, Midleton, Charleville & Cork Clinic: +353 87 616 6638 + 087 716 8844
Dungarvan & Waterford Clinic: +353 87 616 6638 + 353 87 716 8844

References:

Below is a list of 25 peer-reviewed journal articles on orthorexia nervosa, with full bibliographic details, and link:

Dunn TM, Bratman S. On orthorexia nervosa: a review of the literature and proposed diagnostic criteria. Eating Behaviors. 2016 Jun;21:11–17.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26724459/ PubMed
Cena H, Barthels F, Cuzzolaro M, Bratman S, Brytek-Matera A, Dunn T, et al. Definition and diagnostic criteria for orthorexia nervosa: a narrative review of the literature. Eat Weight Disorders . 2019 Apr;24(2):209–246.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-018-0606-y PubMed
Brytek-Matera A, Donini LM, Krupa M, Hay P, Berry E. Orthorexia nervosa—an interplay between pathological behavior and healthy lifestyle: a review of the literature. Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating. Nutrients. 2019 Jul;11(7):1472.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/7/1472 MDPI
Koven NS, Abry AW. The clinical basis of orthorexia nervosa: emerging perspectives. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2015;11:385–394.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25733839/ PubMed
Varga M, Dukay-Szabó S, Túry F, van Furth EF. Evidence and gaps in the literature on orthorexia nervosa. Eat Weight Disorders. 2013 Jun;18(2):103–111.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23760837/ PubMed
McComb SE, Mills JS. Orthorexia nervosa: a review of psychosocial risk factors. Appetite. 2019 Sep;140:50–75.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31075324/ PubMed
Parra-Fernandez ML, Onieva-Zafra MD, Fernández-Martínez E, Abreu-Sánchez A, Fernández-Muñoz JJ. Prevalence of orthorexia nervosa in university students based on Bratman’s Test and associated tendencies. Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating. Appetite. 2018 Jun;128:224–227.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666318303933 Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Kane M, Holy – et al. The prevalence of orthorexia nervosa in exercising populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Eating Disorders. 2023;11(1):39.
https://jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40337-023-00739-6 Jeat Disord
Missbach B, Hinterbuchinger B, Dreiseitl V, Kurz C, König J. When eating right is measured wrong! A validation and critical examination of the ORTO-15 questionnaire in German. PLoS One. 2015 Aug 17;10(8):e0135772.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26280449/ PubMed
Opitz M, Mascarell-Maricic L, Kersting A, Arens-Volland A. Orthorexia nervosa in anorexia nervosa: validation of the Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale with a focus on age and sex. Eat Weight Disorders 2017 Dec;22(4):539–547.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40519-017-0441-y MDPI
Varga M, Thege BK, Dukay-Szabó S, Túry F, van Furth EF. The prevalence of orthorexia nervosa among Hungarian university students. Eat Weight Disord. 2014;19(4):607–614.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40519-014-0154-8 ScienceDirect
Oberle CD, Samaghabadi RO, Hughes EM. Orthorexia nervosa: assessment and correlates with gender, BMI, and personality. Eating Disorders Disordered Eating Appetite. 2017 Jan;109:138–145.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666316304816
Satherley RM, Clifford D, Terry P, Lucock M. Attitudes towards healthy eating predict orthorexia risks. Curr Psychology 2018 Feb;37(1):217–222.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-016-9511-x Jeat Disord
Vandereycken W. “Let me eat healthily”: a thematic content analysis of online social media platforms for orthorexia nervosa. Eat Disorders. 2011;19(2):127–138.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10640266.2011.546255
Galmiche M, Déchelotte P, Lambert G, Tavolacci MP. Prevalence of eating disorders over the 2000–2018 period: a systematic literature review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2019 May;109(5):1402–1413.
https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/109/5/1402/5484479 PubMed
Sansone RA, Sansone LA. Orthorexia nervosa: fixated on righteous eating. Innov Clinical Neuroscience. 2014;11(1–2):42–46.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4150277/
Ceccarini G, Bullo V, Berchialla P, et al. Prevalence of orthorexia nervosa among professional dancers: relation with body composition and risk of eating disorders. Nutrients. 2023 Jan 12;15(2):379.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15020379 PubMed
Reynolds R. Is the prevalence of orthorexia nervosa in an Australian university population 6.5%? Eat Weight Disord. 2018 Aug;23(4):453–458.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29956098/ PMC
Anastasiades E, Argyrides M. Healthy orthorexia vs orthorexia nervosa: associations with body appreciation, functionality appreciation, intuitive eating and embodiment. Eat Weight Disorders. 2022 Dec;27(8):3197–3206.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40519-022-01449-9 BioMed Central
Turner PG, Lefevre CE. Instagram use is linked to increased symptoms of orthorexia nervosa. Eat Weight Disorders. 2017 Jun;22(2):277–284.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28251592/ PubMed
Christodoulou E, Markopoulou V, Koutelidakis AE. Exploring the link between mindful eating, Instagram engagement, and eating disorders: a focus on orthorexia nervosa. Psychiatry Int. 2024;5(1):27–38.
https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint5010003 MDPI
Galmiche M, Déchelotte P, Lambert G, Tavolacci MP. Prevalence of eating disorders over the 2000–2018 period: a systematic literature review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2019;109(5):1402–1413.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31075324/ PubMed
McComb SE, Mills JS. Orthorexia nervosa: a review of psychosocial risk factors. Appetite. 2019;140:50–75.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31075324/ PubMed
McInerney EG, Stapleton P, Baumann O. A systematic review on the prevalence and risk of orthorexia nervosa in health workers and students. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024 Aug 21;21(8):1103.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21081103 PubMed
Donini LM, Marsili D, Graziani MP, Imbriale M, Cannella C. Orthorexia nervosa: a preliminary study with a proposal for diagnosis and an attempt to measure the dimension of the phenomenon. Eat Weight Disorders. 2004 Jun;9(2):151–157.
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325060 PLOS