Stereotype Thinking Towards the Health Conscious

The notion that everything I eat, touch, drink, or smell must have a healthy flair to it.

As if I am the embodiment of 100% healthy nutrition.

Throughout these last few years of focusing on mind and body, learning about the latest findings in health and wellness, and continuously practising what I preach is merely a reflection of what I deemed fit for my life.

It was a must, to be honest, when I decided to make that change in 2018 . It was on my initiative, my own choice, and the wellness interest that came with it grew to what I still believe is the biggest asset we all must invest in - health.

This notion of being almost a purveyor of purity in food, exercise and more, was raised not too long ago during a festive event in Bangkok by professionals, colleagues, and distinctive members of the press.

One week before the event started, the choices of what was to be served at dinner came with a line, “I am sure you want vegetarian and no dessert?”

There is a certain truth to whatever we claim as nutrition and health coaches. We talk the talk, so we must walk the walk. It doesn't hurt me to see this sentence of “YES to vegetarian and NO to dessert” added to the menu choices. I consider this as an appreciation knowing that my choices are well thought-of and on par with my health choices.

However, chasing a perfectly healthy lifestyle has its disadvantages; I call it even dangerous.

Orthorexia is a mental projection, an obsession, of only eating healthy foods and objecting to anything even slightly sweetened, processed, or not prepared accurately (whatever that may be).

Case studies have shown that those with orthorexia even ban anything not up to the standards as pure evil and should not even enter one’s fridge - let alone pass the front door. It is a fixation on quality, not on quantity, to an excessive level. Every calorie is analysed to the last triglyceride and amino acid, up to levels that become even more obsessive.

As I was browsing through the menu choices for this gala dinner, and reading the line a few times, I wondered whether I was geared towards making healthier choices more consistently.

For me, it is always a fine balance between consistently choosing vegetables, my eggs, a smoothie with kale and avocado, regularly having a massive salad and hitting the 3-litre water mark daily. Oh, and don’t forget coffee.

I also wondered what the reason is why vegetarianism is still so connected to health, rather than digging into a good steak, some gravy and mashed potatoes on the side. Is society still blind-sided by what the media is claiming as being the right side of health, and vegans are the epitome of health?

And what about dessert? Should I just cast away my love for rum raisin ice cream and switch over to no dessert or a bowl of green beans? Or eat my garnish while others enjoy the sweet delicacies after they are served? Is that health as part of what we aim to believe is the thing for health coaches and nutrition specialists??

Had I followed the orthorexia path, I would not even go to this event. The way food on this massive scale (it was a 600-delegate event) is prepared does raise some eyebrows. I am aware of the preparation work and how some of these events are being organised from a culinary perspective going into these events.

However, this should never be a reason not to go.?

Good health is more than just food and exercise. Way more than that.

In no time, I returned my choices and went for the well-sauced beef, and asked whether I could have two desserts. It was not only a confirmation I would never take on the orthorexia path, nor would I fall into a trap to leave aside the chance to have some food I have enjoyed for ages. I also wanted to maks a statement that what we read and hear as being ‘health foods’ is close to absurdity.

I expected nothing else besides some comments from the organiser when she received my reply. You could almost feel the question marks bouncing back to me.?

The misconceptions around food and what we - those truly considering health their primary asset to invest in - do to make sure we function day in, day out via conscious choices, are rising.?

The orthorexic thoughts from society are totally out of tune with the reality of how health and food are blended.

As I am eagerly awaiting my two desserts (I did get them), a fellow professional just finished his vegetarian dish. He was sitting right next to me; a very amicable man with years of experience under his belt. Our chats about health and travel lasted for almost an hour, and it almost became a case study for me. His deliberate choice to go for the vegetarian option that evening was because he was determined to make healthier choices.

While he was going for a second bottle of red wine.

Some awe and disbelief flowed over the table as I fully enjoyed my two desserts, and not being shy of going for a fabulous collection of bread and crispy rolls and some nice dippings proir to the starter. My passion for living a healthy life (backed up by the fact I do not drink alcohol any longer) and not going for the vegetarian option were put on the table once they saw me digging into the fruits of labour from the hotel culinary team.

Society still thinks we, health promotors, are all following the orthorexia road to longevity and wellness.?

That evening, I had the chance to bust some health myths.

And when it comes to awareness and knowledge on the nutritional front; it was again solidified that too many think they have all the ingredients right to live, and drink, towards a healthier lifestyle.

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship. | Buddha

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