Starving for Survival: One Man's Journey With Orthorexia

by Jason Wood

Did you know men develop eating disorders too? Trust me, I know a guy!

After years of hiding from the shouts of “Fatty” and “Porkchop” in the middle school locker room, Jason was determined to be a weight-loss success story. Only, Jason’s newfound control over food didn’t lead him to the picture-perfect ending he had envisioned. Following a health scare at twenty-nine, Jason turned to “clean eating” as his coping solution to the sudden loss of his parents, living in a run-down apartment, and broken family relationships.

Starving for Survival explores how healthy eating can go from well-meaning improvements to knocking on death's door. Jason illustrates the damaging physical, mental, and social effects of orthorexia for men who may have been there, or for readers who suspect someone they love is struggling. Embracing vulnerability, Jason advances the conversation regarding men’s mental health and the stigma that still exists today.

Genres: Nonfiction

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 2022

About the author

Jason Wood turned his battle with orthorexia into a mission to break the stigma around men's mental health and eating disorders by launching his blog Orthorexia Bites in 2021. Through numerous podcast appearances, speaking engagements, and his writing, Jason is starting an important conversation that encourages everyone--especially men-- on how important it is to speak up and get the help they deserve. When not advocating for mental health awareness, Jason enjoys cheering on his Hawkeyes and exploring his new home state of Colorado with his husband Matt and their pups, Arnie and Walter.

Reviews

[Christelle Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting. I could not put it down. Jason's vulnerability about his journey had me in tears, had me laughing, and challenged me on a deep level. This book is not only about Orthorexia. This book is about the inner battle we all fight, it's about love and love lost. It's about learning to rise above adversity and consider oneself worthy enough to keep going. It's about the effects of grief, mental health, family dynamics, societal expectations, and loneliness. This book also breaks barriers by allowing the conversation to include men. I am so moved and changed by Starving for Survival. This book will help change lives, and I am so grateful Jason took the courageous step to share his story.

[Molly Fennig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starving for Survival is raw, honest, and compelling. Jason is such an easy person to root for, especially given his bravery and honesty. This book is awesome and needed, touching on important, but under-discussed, topics such as male eating disorders, Orthorexia, food insecurity, anxiety, addiction, trauma/loss, and the role of family/found family.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s easy to get lost in this book, where Jason chronicles how his life has been affected by the eating disorder orthorexia. Well written and easy to read, the book takes you along with the author on his journey from diagnosis to recovery, weaving in colorful stories that show how good intentions around "clean eating" can easily turn into an all-consuming disorder.

This book shows how being vulnerable, asking for help, and being honest with yourself are actually signs of strength, not weakness. This is a must read for anyone that is struggling with or knows anyone that is struggling with an eating disorder. The best part is, even if eating disorders are not in your sphere of life, there is much to be enjoyed about this book. It's truly a page-turner, and the author's writing will have you reading each chapter faster and faster until you've read the whole book in one sitting.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a male who also struggles with an eating disorder and is in recovery, Starving for Survival strikes close to home. When I first came to terms with who I was and acknowledged my disorder, I felt isolated and confused. Jason’s story proves that we are not alone; that despite how underrepresented male eating disorders are and male mental health in general, there are others out there facing similar struggles and fighting similar battles.

Starving for Survival is honest; it doesn’t shy away from vulnerability, but instead embraces it. As we read the story of Jason’s struggle and the adversity he faced, it’s hard not to root for him on his path to recovery. I appreciate his courage to share his story and serve as an advocate for male eating disorders and mental health. “Men battle eating disorders. Men battle mental illness. Men hurt, too.”

[Mackenzie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the honor of seeing Jason at an ANAD Eating Disorder presentation at Northwestern University. He is so charming, eloquently spoken, and funny. I’m in recovery from an eating disorder as well, and this book opened my eyes to the fact then men also struggle with eating disorders. It can be hard for men to open up about- or even recognize that they have- eating disorders, as there’s this societal archetype that the only people who have eating disorders are teenage girls. That’s definitely not the case! This is a great book. So grateful I read it.

[Diane Billas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. I was rooting for Jason throughout all of his struggles. This book sheds so much light on little discussed topics, men’s mental health and eating disorders. I’m excited about how many people could be helped by reading this book and realizing they are not alone. Very memorable and important book.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this it is super good and gives a much needed voice of a male dealing with an Ed. WE NEED MORE MALE PERSPECTIVES! So yes read it was super slay

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you

Thank you so much for this thoughtful book! eye opening and acknowledge thi ED men have. thank you so much

[Lauren Bickley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked male experience of eating disorder. Book needed better editing, even simple errors were left unnoticed

[Jason Pawloski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason Wood is a great story-teller! One of my favorite types of stories to read are ones where adversity fuels character development. Starving for Survival seems just that! Despite the many hardships Jason faced growing up, he learned to find the right support and tools to rise above his struggles with orthorexia. Jason’s story stands to help others realize that there are answers and help out there. Overcoming orthorexia is possible. We first need to better identify a problem that many out there might not realize they’re experiencing, yet.