[Aquafara]

Hello everyone. I first of all want to say that I do not have an eating disorder, but I am here for information. I hate the American diet because it is so unhealthy. I'm a vegan with a neurological illness. I'm working to improve my health, but lately I've become obsessive. So this is where I'm getting into trouble.

I really am becoming obsessive about it. In a way, I feel like I may be on the verge of an eating disorder, but at the same time, I don't... I don't because I feel there is nothing wrong with knowing about health and what is good for you. Honestly, I know there are far too many lies floating around in the food industry and that is flooring me to find out more. I want to be thin, healthy, and I don't want to fill my body with junk and chemicals.

At what point is what you're doing an eating disorder? Is the ED title given when someone wishes to change their body? To lose weight? Or is it reserved for those who are harming their bodies to feel they look better? I don't want to sound insensitive at all! So please, don't think that I am, I am really trying to understand. I have only ever heard of anorexia and bulimia, so I'm actually not even sure if there are other kinds... My sister had both when I was younger, but I was 8 so I didn't really understand.

[Aquafara]

Oh, I forgot to say... Since I've learned so much about health, it disgusts me to see someone eating something that I deem bad for them. I can't stop thinking about it and how gross it is and what's in it. My boyfriend was just here with a coke and I kept thinking about all the corn syrup in there, how much sugar. This is getting annoying.

[Denise26]

IMO being aware of what you put into your body and mainting a healthy diet is not ground for an eating disorder. However just be mindful of your feelings towards food and the fact that you can't control another persons eating habits only choose whats right for you. As long as you dont sway to unhealthy restricting (not restricting unhealthy food but restricting food unhealthily) or start to develop body image issues or an aversion to food you should be ok. Just pay attention to why your choosing to/not to eat the food your deciding upon and watch for any of the behaviors I mentioned. Also don't let it rule your life, that would be another symptom of an eating disorder.

[RebbieDoll]

I'll just refer you to this page: http://www.orthorexia.com/
That way you can decide for yourself. I'll just say that the difference is in how you feel it affects the rest of your life.

[venusss]

Originally Posted by RebbieDoll

I'll just refer you to this page: http://www.orthorexia.com/
That way you can decide for yourself. I'll just say that the difference is in how you feel it affects the rest of your life.

I knew there was such thing, I just couldn't remember the name for it.

I am not going to argue with you about your vegan lifestyle, but eating healthy sometimes can become excluding food you see as unhealthy from your diet.

And as for being concerned for others... That actually might a be a syndrome of certain obsession (and in the end it might be damaging to your relationships... but that is another matter altogether).

[Aquafara]

Thanks everyone, and thanks RebbieDoll for the link... I think that is very fitting for this situation.