Orthorexia Treatment & Recovery

Orthorexia Nervosa is characterized by an unhealthy obsession with eating "healthy" or "pure" foods. What often begins as a desire to improve health can escalate into extreme dietary restrictions, severe anxiety around food, and social isolation.

While not yet officially recognized as a distinct diagnosis in the DSM-5, orthorexia shares many similarities with anorexia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It can lead to malnutrition, emotional distress, and a complete loss of food freedom.

Recovery from orthorexia involves unlearning the rigid rules of diet culture. Our dietitians use an intuitive eating framework to help you rebuild trust with your body and food.

We work with you to gradually reintroduce feared foods, dismantle food moralization ("good" vs. "bad" foods), and help you discover that true health encompasses mental and emotional well-being, not just physical nutrition.

Signs of Orthorexia

• Compulsive checking of ingredient lists and nutritional labels
• Cutting out an increasing number of food groups (e.g., all sugar, all carbs, all dairy)
• Severe anxiety or panic when 'safe' foods aren't available
• Spending hours per day thinking about what food might be served at upcoming events
• Judging others based on their dietary choices
• Tying self-worth entirely to adherence to a 'clean' diet

Ready to start recovery?

We offer outpatient in-person care in Quincy, MA and telehealth across MA, NY, NH, RI, CT, FL, SC, and NC.