Ortoreksja. Zdrowe odżywianie – rozsądek czy już obsesja?

by Renee McGregor, Magda Witkowska (Translator)

Gdy zdrowe odżywianie staje się obsesją…

Ortoreksja to zaburzenie odżywiania, które trudno rozpoznać. Nagle przestaje chodzić o oczyszczenie organizmu czy ograniczenie liczby spożywanych kalorii. Rezygnacja z pewnych produktów w imię „czystości” czy idealnej diety może szybko przerodzić się w trudny do przezwyciężenia nawyk, który będzie pociągać za sobą poważne konsekwencje w sferze zdrowia fizycznego i psychicznego. Niebezpieczeństwo popadnięcia w obłęd zdrowego odżywiania dodatkowo potęguje współczesny świat. Ogólny skutek zalewu informacji i dezinformacji w mediach jest taki, że toniemy w morzu dezorientacji
i sprzeczności – a ludzie podatni stają się jeszcze bardziej podatni.

Dietetyk, specjalistka w dziedzinie zdrowego żywienia i zaburzeń odżywiania, Renee McGregor, po raz pierwszy ujawnia prawdę, która kryje się za maską niebezpiecznych diet. Powołując się na doświadczenia z pierwszej ręki i liczne analizy, autorka przedstawia narzędzia, dzięki którym osoby dotknięte tym problemem mogą powrócić do zrównoważonego i naprawdę zdrowego modelu odżywiania się.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Nutrition, Food, Psychology, Mental Health

168 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2018

Reviews

[Linh Chi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Khi đời sống ngày càng phát triển thì nhu cầu ăn uống ngày càng tăng cao. Bh ko chỉ ăn ngon nữa mà là ăn sạch. Ăn sạch theo định nghĩa của tác giả là việc lựa chọn ăn các thực phẩm tươi sống và giàu chất dinh dưỡng. Nhưng ăn sạch ngày này có nghĩa chỉ ăn một vài các loại thực phẩm nhất định và cắt giảm các loại thực phẩm khác bị cho là ko tốt cho sức khỏe. Thực ra đây là 1 loại bệnh tâm lý ăn uống tương tự như chán ăn hay ăn- ói. Nó ảnh hưởng trực tiếp đến sk và tinh thần ng bệnh nhân. Nhưng theo xu hướng và sự ảnh hưởng của guru trên mạng xh về lối sống ăn sạch thì căn bệnh này lại đc tung hô quá đà và ng bệnh càng có xu hướng kìm kẹp bản thân mình vịn vào các lý do vì sk. Chỉ khi bệnh đến đỉnh điểm độ nguy hiểm gây các bệnh lý như mệt mỏi, rụng tóc, tắc kinh hay ngất xỉu thì họ ms ý thức đc điều đó. Và ngành cn thực phẩm đua theo trend để sx ra các sp đc dán mác eat cleaning. Ng bị ám ảnh ăn sạch thg có xu hướng cắt giảm mọi chất họ nghĩ ko "sạch" như carbohydrate, gluten, đường,... Và kèm theo đó các chế độ ăn low carb. Việc ăn uống ko đầy đủ và ám ảnh bởi việc phải tuân thủ quy định ăn uống gây ra rối loạn trao đổi chất trong cơ thể. Ng bị ảm ánh ăn sạch sẽ có xu hướng cưỡng chế bản thân, xa lánh các cuộc gặp gỡ bbe vì sợ phạm quy, họ ăn năn, hối hận khi nhỡ ko tuân thủ nguyên tắc chỉ vì ăn quá 1 chút carb hay uống quá 1 chút sữa. Việc ăn uống sao mà khắc nghiệt quá! Tác giả còn liệt kê các chế độ ăn uống sai lầm của ng ám ảnh ăn sạch và đi kèm theo đó các thông tin khách quan về các chất hay bị truyền thông dán nhãn "có hại sk" như sữa, đường hay gluten,... Nói chung mình thấy đây là một quyển sách khá hay và cung cấp kiến thức sâu về ăn sạch - một căn bệnh mới và chưa đc nhận thức 1 cách đầy đủ hiện nay. Tuy nhiên có một vài điểm trừ là phần cuối tác giả chưa làm rõ đc làm thế nào để thoát khỏi chứng ám ảnh ăn sạch và có hơi lan man phần biện pháp. Hơi đầu voi đuôi chuột

[Eve L-A Witherington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orthorexia is a relatively new not yet official eating disorder but it still impacts many and is as dangerous as Bulimia or Anorexia,the most common eating disorders.

As a sufferer of Anorexia previously I have been recovered for five years but each year can still be a struggle and I see a lot of myself and past traits and actions in this book.

We learn of the combination which results in Orthorexic tendencies as well as OCD factors which come into it as well as forms of stress which can be added pressure on top of all the preexisting things occurring within us.

We learn of how it can start, flourish and manifest the person into believing a clean diet is the only option possible and everything else is bad when its not. We learn of types of strict diets and see through case studies the health side effects which can occur as result.

This is one of the most essentially eye opening books on the newest eating disorder happening around us and this book is educating just when we need it.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book. Excellent for a learner trying to parse through what constitutes what kind of eating disorders as well as intrusive thinking. This book gives concrete advice as well and example conversations had with patients.

[Emily G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Renee McGregor, a registered dietitian from the UK, lends insight into a eating disorder, orthorexia, where healthy eating reaches the point of obsession and disrupts a person's regular physical and mental functions...

The book was easy to read, and informative, but lacked a lot of specific scientific evidence other than specific case studies the author pulls from her own practice as a dietitian. Though I agree with the author that 'everything should be in moderation', it was hard in the book to really see when certain eating styles (especially when she talked about certain movements such as gluten-free, vegan, etc. ) would be considered unhealthy or not. Overall, the book was a good way to start internal dialogue for anyone who wants to think about what they put into their body.

[Reinhild · Rating 4 out of 5]

Educational and just what I needed.

[GONZA · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I read that is completely dedicated to Orthorexia and I found it very good. I usually read about this disorders related to other eating disorders but this time the author took her time to describe in details and explain the vary hidden meaning of specific behavior. In the end it's not the solution for the problem but it is still a good first step to acknowledge a problem and try to find a solution trough a professional help..

Questo é il primo libro che leggo completamente dedicato all'ortoressia e penso sia fatto molto bene. Fino ad ora si leggeva di ortoressia soltanto collegata ad altri disturbi alimentari, ma stavolta l'autrice si prende il tempo di descriverne i vari aspetti e come possa essere collegata ad altri disturbi e come possa nascondersi dietro comportamenti di solito considerati "normali". Alla fine non é che risolve il problema, ma certamente questo libro é un primo passo per una corretta informazione e la ricerca di una soluzione attraverso un professionista.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

[Lorena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does a fine job raising awareness about a type of disordered eating known as orthorexia nervosa. The section I found most helpful discussed possible triggers for disordered eating and signs and symptoms of orthorexia. This overview should provide enough information for readers to identify the warning signs in themselves or their loved ones.

I do wish the author had spent a little more time discussing people who start restricting their diets based on a doctor's advice due to legitimate health problems. For example, elimination diets are often recommended for those with autoimmune conditions, and many of these patients will have risk factors for disordered eating. It would have been nice to see more guidance on how to manage these conditions without slipping into an orthorexic mindset.

Renee McGregor does describe what she believes a healthy diet should look like (assuming you have no health problems), and she also gives some suggestions for how to recover from orthorexia and maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, you shouldn't expect this book to allow you to treat yourself. Ms. McGregor states that it's vital to work with a registered dietitian and a mental health professional with experience treating eating disorders.

Note that this is written in British English, and while the author has tried to address her content to both UK and US audiences, some of the material may be confusing or inaccurate for Americans. For example, the author mentions that psychologists can prescribe medication. I don't know whether that is true in the UK, but it is not true in most of the US; in all but a few states, the only mental health professionals who prescribe medication here are psychiatrists or psychiatric nurse practitioners, who she does not mention in this book.

In the end, I would say this is probably worth reading if you would like to have a better understanding of orthorexia, particularly if you or someone you care about is on a restrictive diet and you want to make sure that the diet doesn't become an obsession.

I volunteered to review an advanced reader copy of this book provided to me by the publisher and NetGalley. Because I have not seen the published version, I cannot comment on the final editing and formatting.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps because I already knew a fair bit about this subject, I found the book to be disappointingly surface-level. I would have liked a deep dive into the scientific literature surrounding orthorexia. I think this is a fair introduction to the eating disorder, although I wish the author had been more unequivocally supportive of an intuitive eating approach to recovery. When describing different common diets and discussing what makes up a truly "healthy" diet, the author still seemed to engage in categorizing certain foods as "good" and "bad." Lastly, the book suffered from a surprising amount of typos that should have been caught by the editor.

[Viet Dung Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would rate it 5 stars if the content is the same what I expected from the book's name.

The book taught me a lot about nutrients and the real relationship between eating and well-being. What do we really need? Nutrients (and of course water). Clean eating is good for you because it is designed to be good for you, so you call it clean. How do you know you are "clean" eating? You must understand what your body needs and provide correspondingly. Your body needs macro and micronutrients and water.
After reading this book, I'm trying to plan my own balanced diet and listen to my body. This book was a fantastic start to reach my health goal of the year. Unfortunately, I cannot find many dishes the author mentioned in her book because I am in Vietnam, not the US. Furthermore, I always have dinner with my family, how can I have my own designed meal?

What I don't like about the book is too many parts of the book trying to explain about eating disorder. However, I find it helpful too. I don't have orthorexia so I don't think I need to read all of that stuff.

Have a great reading !!!

[Nessabella · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I appreciate the author’s drive to spread awareness about this very real, unhealthy eating tendency, I am disappointed with her need to tear apart several dietary approaches. The theory of bio individuality suggests that each person has a unique genetic makeup, and will benefit from a diet that probably won’t exactly mirror anyone else’s. The author even states this, more or less, early on in the book. Yet then she proceeds to condemn several dietary paths that are helpful, and sometimes lifesaving, for many. It felt as if she lost her way or started writing a different book midway through.
I trust that her goal was to do good and spread information wisely. But as someone who has studied diet and health regimens extensively for over a decade, I found many glaring discrepancies in this book and would hope that folks do additional research before using this book as any sort of dietary gospel.

[WRSTBHVR · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
but I'm rounding up because I am (was) a Renee McGregor's stan. I think that McGregor should have cowritten this book with a psychologist, because of the strong mental health references. As a matter of fact, I never had a feeling that this was written by a dietitian.

It's funny because McGregor herself always emphasises that she in fact has a medical degree despite of many, many nutritionists and health coaches and influencers. But recently, she gives off influencer vibes. I'm not blaming her. It's not easy for dietitians to be surrounded with so many pseudo experts who just sell it better (the same cannot be said for -let's say- cardiologists or orthopaedics). The (sports) nutrition is really suffering in the golden age of social media.
I would call Miss McGregor an influential dietitian with strong psychology aspirations. I also wouldn't recommend this book.

[Mark Filatov · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very interesting and full of information about what Orthorexia is and what to do to prevent from having this food disorder. Orthorexia is as bad as bulimia and Anorexia and they can lead to nutritional deficiency. Since it is a relatively new disorder that has been discovered, it's easy to spot who has it or not and it's if you take diet too roughly or not. If you take diet too seriously, head to the dietitian because you can't find out for yourself for which diet is the right one. I recommend reading this book because it tells you the science of the diets and their results. It doesn't only talk about the eating disorder itself but also diet itself.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caveat: I suffered with orthorexia for years. I consider myself recovered, or recovering (if you believe that no one is ever truly 100% recovered). But I never sought or felt I needed therapy.

So, that said, While I agree with every thing in the first half of this book, and had soooo many aha moments while reading it, I whole heartedly disagree with the premise that it is rooted in deep seated psychological issues. I don’t need to have a dark past or self esteem issues to develop this disorder. I can simply be a perfectionist who tries to be as healthy as possible. And that perfectionism and quest for health can take over and begin to be all consuming. That can be, and IS, enough.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*thank you to NetGalley and Nourish Publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

4 stars.
Not too many people have heard of Orthorexia as it is still quite a new type of Eating Disorder. Though those who have an Eating Disorder quite possibly already have heard of it. This book is an interesting read as it does quite well at explaining and giving examples of, what this illness really is about. Those who are in search of information, or better understanding, will find this a helpful read.

[lucy♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling and interesting view into orthorexia, an eating disorder as dangerous as anorexia and bulimia.

This book was brilliantly crafted with case studies, biological consequences and clear, relevant information. Although it’s a sensitive subject, the book was great to read. I loved learning about this disease, although it’s not officially identified, it explains how it still affects thousands around the world and how light needs to be brought to the subject.

I recommend ✨

Love Lucy x

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I'm a bit uncomfortable writing a review on this book and I guess most people would figure that in that case, why bother? I will say this--as someone who wasn't aware that orthorexia was even a thing, this certainly opened my eyes in many positive ways. This book provided a really good overview for me and definitely increased my understanding. I would have given 5 stars but I was hoping that their would have been more anecdotals included--but that was more of a personal preference in terms of reading a book like this. If I could give it 4.5 stars, I would.

[Krissie Hutton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read about Orthorexia - a yet-to-be-medically-recognised eating disorder characterised by an obsession over "clean eating". Sufferers tend to cut out e.g. gluten, dairy, with no medically justified reason in the hope of feeling pure, which results in a range of health problems due to deficiencies.
Some handy reference points - e.g. from page 59 it talks about the side effects of cutting out large food groups - but overall the content is too scarce for a book and the repetition is tiresome. It would have made a better long magazine article.

[maybepsychology · Rating 2 out of 5]

Temat ortoreksji to jest tutaj tylko muśnięty. Może tłumaczyć to, ze książka jest z 2018 roku, wiec wiele się zmieniło od tego czasu. Nie mniej jednak, opowiada ona bardziej o stylach żywienia i pełni role poradnika (mimo, ze osoba autorska mowi, ze to nie poradnik). Poza tym właśnie, osoba autorska jest dietetykiem i sama pisze tą książkę. Do leczenia ortoreksji, nie wystarczy sam dietetyk. Potrzebny jest cały komplet specjalistów, na czele z psychoterapeutą i psychodietetykiem. Sam dietetyk, dietą nie pomoże osobie z orto!

[jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The change in perspective, in terms of viewing an eating disorder from a nutritionalist instead of a psychologist perspective, was interesting and informative. Not going to lie, it did startle me a bit when reading loads of information about portions, but that was to be expected.
Overall i learnt a lot about this disorder and I can understand, and get behind, the push for it to be classed as an eating disorder official.

[Darya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I think the topic it tackled was very much needed and the problem of orthorexia and our current obsession with clean eating needs to be examined more closely. In that sense, the book does a very good job of educating and informing the general public. However, I wish the author had taken a more scientific approach and talked about studies. A lot of her evidence was anecdotal. I understand why that was but it leaves you wanting more.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This brings some much-needed common sense and scientific reality to our "health" crazed culture and the snakeoil-peddling "fitspo" bloggers and lifestyle writers out there. Well done and urgently needed.

*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Anna Sinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have followed Renee’s work for a while, and the work she does is extremely important and needed!! This book is definitely a must read for anyone who needs an introduction to Orthorexia, however, as someone who already knows quite a lot about this issue, I would have liked a more in depth, scientifically explained book.

[Mehul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introduced myself to Renee's book via her brilliant work on the TrainBrave podcast.

The book can be easily read in one setting and it does a great job of serving as a compassionate and informational introduction to a topic that greatly needs more awareness.

[alanest · Rating 4 out of 5]

bardzo szybka książka, autorka podsuwa dużo dających do myślenia zdań i pomysłów, nie tylko dotyczących sfery diety
dla każdego kto czuje napięcie związane ze swoim sposobem jedzenia myślę że to obowiązkowa lektura

[Liz Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book focuses on the “clean eating” phenomenon and the influence of social media. Interesting take on a relatively unknown food addiction

[Shoroug · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Chairs Soon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool! Informative non fiction book about healthy eating obsession. Interesting...

[Gregory Brokaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of a new and spreading condition.

[Megan Yelland-Gilmartin · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING - Eating Disorders ⚠️

This is an excellent overall view of a very rarely talked about and not yet fully classified form of eating disorder.
As we see more and more information online from the wellness space, not all of it totally accurate this is a really important read for professionals especially. That being said it is completely accessible to lay people, with real life examples thrown in to demonstrate important points. It is also relatively short.
My only criticism is that it would benefit from a more thorough psychological perspective.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly disappointed that something more up to date isn’t available. It felt like this book has dated very quickly and already there are big gaps in what it says. I think the situation with orthorexia is becoming increasingly urgent with the raft of misinformation on the internet about nutrition. An ok starting point, but far more needs to be done here.