I Keep Hearing About Orthorexia – What The Hell Is It?

So, I’ve been working out, drinking my water, and following all the health tips that pop up on Instagram. I was convinced I was doing everything right. I was obsessed with being “perfect” — meal prepping, avoiding processed foods, and skipping birthday cake (even on my own birthday). I followed every wellness influencer, thinking that I was nailing my health routine. But despite all my desperate efforts, I wasn’t feeling great. I was miserable, anxious, and constantly dragging.

Then, I was talking with my pal SJ — who’s an actual wellness guru — and she brought up the concept of orthorexia. She said it might be making me feel so terrible. And after reading through some articles, including ones on BuzzFeed and HuffPost, it all clicked.

Orthorexia isn’t really about weight loss, though it can overlap with other eating disorders. It’s about an obsession with clean eating. So, I chase this ideal of eating perfectly and it ends up controlling your life in an unhealthy way.

So, What Is Orthorexia?

You’ve probably heard the term before, but you might not know what it means. Basically, it’s an obsession with healthy eating that goes way too far. You get so caught up in trying to eat “perfectly” that food becomes a source of stress, guilt, and social isolation. Frankly, social media doesn’t help. It’s a huge part of the problem.

If you haven’t heard of orthorexia, that’s probably because it’s not officially listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), but organizations like the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) are raising awareness about it. As someone who’s been there — and trying really hard not to relapse — I can tell you it’s a real issue.

Warning Signs

If any of this feels familiar, check out these warning signs that I saw in myself:

🚩Warning Sign 1: Obsessing About Food

You know that feeling when you’re planning meals days in advance or stressing about whether that oat milk is really unsweetened? That was me. I used to spend hours obsessing over food—reading labels, scrolling through recipes, and making sure everything was “approved.” The thing is, I wasn’t even enjoying food anymore. I was just constantly thinking about it.

🚩Warning Sign 2: Cutting Out Entire Food Groups For No Good Reason

Gluten. Dairy. Sugar. Nightshades. I’d cut them out of my diet. I started following all these rules about what I could and couldn’t eat. And I’m not talking about medically necessary exclusions like celiac disease or allergies. I was eliminating foods out of fear. I imagined that I was doing something good for myself. What I didn’t realize was that I was making my world smaller and smaller.

🚩Warning Sign 3: Food Guilt 

This one hit hard. I couldn’t just eat something without justifying it. If I had a muffin, I’d be like, “It’s gluten-free and sweetened with dates.” And then I’d punish myself later, promising to work out more or restrict my food even further. Orthorexia made me believe food was either “good” or “bad”—which is such a toxic mindset. NEDA warns that guilt around food is a huge red flag.

🚩Warning Sign 4: Missing Social Events

I skipped brunches, dinners, and even weddings because the food situation stressed me out. Or, worse, I’d attend an event and bring my own snacks. I thought I was being “disciplined,” but in reality, I was only isolating myself further. Food is so much more than fuel — it’s about connection, culture, and joy. When you’re obsessed with what’s on your plate, you miss out on the important stuff, like Sunday dinner with your family or laughing with your friends.

So, What Can You Do About It?

If any of this resonates with you, it’s not your fault. We’re constantly bombarded with the idea that health is all about control — green juices, clean eating, and nutty routines and food rituals. It’s no wonder that orthorexia is growing, especially with the rise of social media wellness culture. The pressure to be perfect can be overwhelming.

But health is not a list of ingredients on the back of the packaging. It’s about how you feel in your body and life. Yes, eating nutritious food is important, but so is having a damn muffin without feeling like you have to justify it.

Recovery isn’t easy — it’s been a journey for me. I still hesitate before ordering dessert or feel weird eating something without checking the label. But I’m learning to trust my body and break my own rigid rules. I’m learning that true wellness doesn’t come from Instagram — it comes from listening to yourself.

Moving Beyond the Anxiety Diet

If any of this sounds familiar, know that you don’t need to overhaul your diet again. Perhaps you should step back from all the rules and strictures. Talking to a dietitian or therapist who understands disordered eating is a good place to start. There are organizations like NEDA, Project HEAL, and Therapy for Eating Disorders that can help guide you through the process.

You deserve meals that nourish you — without the guilt, shame, or stress. And you absolutely deserve a version of wellness that allows you to be human. So go ahead — eat that damn muffin, and enjoy it.