As the world is becoming more aware of what they eat and how it affects their health, the popularity of ‘clean eating’ is increasing. Clean eating essentially means eating raw, cutting out processed food or sugar in the process. However, lately, it has become an umbrella term for eating healthier. Sadly, most of the people who seem to practice this approach don’t seem to do it with an expert’s opinion and cut out essential nutrients from their diet, which is why it isn’t surprising when a new health report says that ‘clean eating’ can eating disorders. The study was published in the Journal of Eating Disorders.
'Clean eating' or 'healthy diet' are subjective terms. One common eating disorder that can be triggered by the same is called anorexia nervosa. If you are someone who lays a lot of importance on eating clean, you may be at risk of anorexia and must watch out for its symptoms.
Anorexia Nervosa can show both physical and emotional or behavioural symptoms of the eating disorder. While the physical symptoms are linked with starvation and little to no nutrition, behavioural symptoms may include attempts to eat less or to lose weight.
Extreme weight loss
People who are experiencing anorexia nervosa may experience extreme weight loss, or little to no weight gain when they are expecting to gain weight. This could be because of restrictive and less eating, or because of extreme workout that people with the eating disorder indulge in, to avoid weight gain.
Fatigue, dizziness, and fainting
People with anorexia may eat very little, or skip meals, or over-workout because of the fear of gaining weight. This can lead to a loss of energy, so much so that they feel fatigued all the time.
Absence of menstruation
Women who experience menstruation may also experience the absence of menstruation. Women who eat extremely less to lose weight may restrict their intake of food to the minimum, leading to a loss of energy levels.
Irritability and insomnia
People who do not eat enough, or not eat at all can trigger irritability and insomnia as symptoms of anorexia. Hunger and starvation can make you extremely irritable. Hunger can also cause insomnia, which can be another cause of irritability. Insomnia is also triggered due to hunger, starvation, and obsessive behaviours.
