Can 'Healthy' Go Too Far?

I'm not a psychologist or an eating disorders expert.

But I know my fair share about being a woman who once hated her body and has now come to a place of self-acceptance and peace. I also know first-hand what it's like to raise a daughter and to worry that I've passed on a legacy of bad body feelings to her.

Most of you know by now that I'm all about balance. But balance isn't simply about getting all the right nutrients. It's also about recognizing that there's a place for treats in a healthy diet -- and that while exercise is important, there's also a time for resting.

I've ranted here before about how troubling I find the overzealous focus of the Health & Wellness Committee at my children's school -- the one that won't allow food in the classrooms for celebrations or as part of curriculum (Farewell, edible cell project). That's why I was thrilled to read this article by Dr. Dina Zeckhausen -- who is an eating disorders expert -- about "orthorexia," defined as "an obsession with eating only healthy food."

It's so important that our kids get the message that balance is a vital part of good health -- especially our girls, who in trying to be "good" girls who want to please us, can all too often take their behavior to the extreme.

I hope you'll take a moment to read Dr. Zeckhausen's article. I particularly loved the "donut vs. bagel" tip -- especially when her son applied it to a friendship.

What do you think? Can healthy go too far? How do you encourage your kids to make healthy, balanced choices?

Comments

[Alyssa]

Wow! What a GREAT article!
It makes me so sad and so ANGRY when I see parents overly-restricting their kids' food. I know from experience that it is a direct road to an ED.

[love2eatinpa]

that was such a great article, thanks for sharing! i agree that finding the balance is key. yes, we want our kids to understand that it's important to be healthy, but if we don't let them have some junk sometimes, it will become forbdidden fruit, another direct road to an ED.

[Kiersten]

Thanks for sharing that article! I wrote a post about orthorexia a few days ago on my blog actually. Trying to be "healthy" can definitely be taken too far. During my own recovery from anorexia I turned my desire to eat healthily again into an obsession. I am still trying to recover from it now.

[Sagan]

Healthy can definitely go too far. When I emailed my sister recently about how some of my disordered eating has returned, this is what she said: "you are a strong, healthy, lovely woman, and I know you know better than I do about all these things, so I won't say any "be careful" things or whatever, because those are stupid. But I believe in you, and your commitment to what you do."

It was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. Dealing with people who have orthorexia (or any other kind of disordered eating) can be tricky for knowing just how to react... but I found that for me, at least, what my sister said just calmed me completely.

[Dara Chadwick]

Thanks for chiming in everybody. I appreciate hearing your reactions.

Sagan, I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling. Your commitment to healthy living is an inspiration to me, and I'm glad that you recognized what was happening.