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• September 11, 2009 11:03 a.m.

  I think with all of the different foods and convenience of fast food these days, people really need to learn what they are putting in there body. Using a tool such as a calorie counter can teach you about the types of foods you put in your body. Not so much obsessing about the calories, but learning about them. If people were to know about the kinds of foods they eat from day 1, they might be more likely to have a healthier lifestyle and see food as fuel instead.

  - Wade

• September 8, 2009 9:51 p.m.

  As if you're not stuck eating your usual fare, the same as your friends and colleagues! Do you know anyone outside your own culture? Ever heard the word diversity? Could you eat in a restaurant that offered food other than what you're used to? Or would you just make fun of people who choose differently than you. The assumptions you make about other tastes is not what I'd expect from a doctor.

  - Cynthia

• August 10, 2009 7:02 p.m.

  If, as Shelby points out, this is an extreme condition, and that people with this condition stop eating altogether, I would suggest this has not been conveyed correctly in this article. The opening paragraphs highlight:"Artificial colors, flavors or preservatives Pesticides or genetic modification Unhealthy fat, sugar or salt " as food ingredients people may be avoiding. Many people are avoiding these, on a daily basis, and manage a healthy diet by mostly home cooking, spending more time than the average American in doing so and caring about their health. I don't think there was a sensible balance in this article. It did not convey well enough that putting some effort (ie, time and money) into eating good and uncontaminated food is perfectly OK.

  - Fran

• August 2, 2009 5:27 p.m.

  It seems like a lot of people are missing the point in the comments. This is an extreme problem, not comparable to someone watching sugar for diabetes or sodium for a heart problem, or even a dieter. Orthorexia is a psychological problem more than anything with devastating effects on physical health (which is of course intertwined with emotional health). Because those with Orthorexia are so obsessed with the purity of their food, they would rather not eat than eat something "bad." The money and time it takes to buy, plan, and prepare pure food takes up most of a person's day. Because animal products and fatty foods are usually avoided, dangerously low body weight and BMI, not to mention the loss of needed nutrients is common. I believe I've heard that the guy who came up with the pure diet orthorexics try to follow was very underweight and died at a young age anyway, case and point. I think this disorder should be classified in the DSM-V under eating disorders, but I'm sure it would be comorbid with OCD or obsessive personality disorder. The reason a well-balanced diet and an active lifestyle is so often endorsed is because it is the best thing for everyone's bodies.

  - Shelby

• July 31, 2009 2:10 p.m.

  I think some people would say that I have this condition, but it's by necessity. I am allergic to pesticides, sulfites and many other preservatives, so the only way for me to feel well is to avoid these things completely. When it comes to potluck meals it's much easier just to skip it. The final straw for me - I asked a cook what was in her dish so I could determine whether I could eat it. Well, she forgot to mention worcestershire sauce - a huge problem for me. I had a disabling headache for a day and a half. So yeah, I'm a bit of a freak about what I eat :-)

  - Tracy

• July 15, 2009 1:51 p.m.

  I saw a show on TV re these people. There ARE people who spend every waking minute obsessing over their food, to the point that they have no time for anything else. It's a real condition. Then there are the borderline types--my housemate is always dieting, but can't lose weight. She is obsessed about cooking, low fat foods, portion control, and cooking appliances that promote all of the above. She still avoids what she really needs to do--eat more vegetables, eat less sugar, and get a hell of lot more exercise. She's happy and has lots of friends and activities. The problem is she spends a lot of money on her obsession, and her house is full of ingredients, appliances, food storage containers, and cook books, none of which she uses. She also has a missions to save the environment and help the needy. So she hates to throw anything out. She has a huge collection of foam coffee cups, individual yogurt containers, etc. I throw out my containers in my room, because she will take them from the kitchen garbage and wash them out and save them. I'm far more obsessed about what I eat than she is, in reality, because I'm so broke, and I have a health problems to deal with, like pre-diabetes and GERD. But I never "diet," I just eat the best foods for me. So she may end up with diabetes, esophagal cancer, and a house so full of junk, it's hazardous. Scary but true.

  - Susie

• July 15, 2009 11:37 a.m.

  I have a young relative, 20s, who appears to have this condition. She will put virtually no fat into her body; eats only "healthy" foods. It got to the point where she has stopped menstruating. Her doctor has also told her she is affecting her bones which need a certain amount of fat. It's like talking to someone with anorexia however; she refuses to, or can't stop this behavior.

  - nikka

• July 15, 2009 6:10 a.m.

  I have no appetite and hate to prepare food now. I have copd, barretts esophagus, knees bone on bone, osteoarthritis, Gen. Anxiety Disorder and depression(some),diverticulitis and menopause. Oh, also have had 13 teeth pulled and got a new partial yesterday. Ive tried to eliminate each med temporarily to see what the culprit is and even take xanax, which used to make me hungry. Not anymore.Dont sleep well at night either and just dont know what to do. I hate to cook now(used to love it) so Im thinking its depression/anxiety. I have no interest in food; period! Any ideas? Anyone?ps:lost 20lbs wrong way!

  - jo

• July 14, 2009 8:34 p.m.

  what could possibly be wrong with avoiding artificial coloring, sweeteners, pesticides ,etc? that's not orthorexia. That is following everything the "experts " recommend. I just wish I had the self-control. Barbara- If I may- I have an eating disorderand it sounds as if your friend may have one- such as anorexia- anorexics ARE starving and DO snap and binge.

  - Deborah

• July 14, 2009 7:26 p.m.

  I can understand if one is so obsessed that they can't eat anywhere, or prevent their child from indulging occasionally at a birthday party, etc. However, I don't see how harmful it is to be interested in the quality and safety of one's food - again, as long as it doesn't truly interfere with the OVERALL quality of one's life. As for the one person who worried about her son's not eating dairy (one example), you don't need dairy to eat well (as long as you get those same nutrients from other sources). Meat versus legumes? A small amount of lean meat - healthy. You don't need more than three ounces of it. Plants producing more antioxidants due to pesticide and fungicide use? Well, that isn't necessarily good (it says something to me, actually, about how smart plants are) and not all antioxidants have a known use, so more doesn't indicate quality. I think Orthrexia, while a real worry for some people, is just that - a worry for some, very few, people. Obsessing about anything isn't healthy, but we also can't get concerned, interested, informed, and knowledgeable confused with obsessive.

  - Judy

• July 14, 2009 4:35 p.m.

  I have a friend who is on a diet that controls the time that she eats. She is obsessed about being tiny. When we go to a retaurant, she eats as though she is starving. There is anorexia amang younger family members. Perhaps there is a genetic relationship between orthorexia and other eating disorders such as anoexia.

  - Barbara M

• July 14, 2009 3:53 p.m.

  My son eats only foods that are either organic or have been washed thoroughly.a few times. These foods are things that can be eaten raw. The protein is not legumes. It is a small amt of either chicken, beef or fish. The hing that is worrying me is that he is obsessed with exercising at least 1 hour per day eveni f it cuts into his sleeping time. He eats no wheat products, no sugar or anything that doesn't come directly from the earth or things that can't be eaten unless they are processed. Ex macaroni, bread He eats no dairy.

  - judy

• July 13, 2009 5:25 a.m.

  Recent research suggests that the use of certain weedkillers stimulates plants such as sweetcorn to produce more antioxidant nutrients (15% more!) than you would otherwise get, so this whole "organic" thing would seem flawed in that case...

  - David Bradley

• July 13, 2009 5:15 a.m.

  I'm so glad to see this issue addressed. I have long suspected that such a thing exists and is an emotional problem. I have a male friend who is obsessed with healthy eating and lifestyle. He exercises daily, eats food with little or no fats or sugars, takes multiple supplements, fasts once a week and drinks only teas without caffeine. He became this way after retiring from years in the military and having some neurological issues which may be as a result of his exposure to toxins while in the service. His initial desire was to reduce the effect of toxins on his system by "whole body" cleansing through diet and exercise changes, however, I have observed that it is now the mainstay of his conversations and behavior. In a word, "obsessive". He is a bachelor and has the luxury to indulge in his behavior without outside interference. I believe he is healthier and feels better now, despite having an undiagnosed health condition from his military service, but his behavior is alarming regarding his relationship with food and a "healthy" lifestyle.

  - Collin S

• July 12, 2009 4:37 p.m.

  Boy have you described my mother, she wont eat stuff I prepared cos it is just not right for her, she turns her nose up at it and does not mind saying NO, this is not right" There is not one thing I could cook when she visits that she would eat and yet she would rather go out and eat at a restaurant, I guess ingnorance is bliss when it comes to food on her plate. It does affect us cos she cannot talk about anything other then food when we talk and I am sure if I would just take all the extra steps she does and spend half my life in the kitchen I could fix this problem we have, Yes we both like healthy food but she has gone so far with it that we fight and it takes away our mom and me time, even for a week, no call from her over it.

  - Gracie

• July 12, 2009 9:49 a.m.

  I met someone last year who ground his own grain so he could have it pure and fresh for baking. A symptom perhaps. He had diabetes, which almost forces you to obsess about food.

  - Steve Parker, M.D.