When Efforts To Eat 'Clean' Become An Unhealthy Obsession
Whether it's gluten or dairy, many people avoid certain types of foods these days. Sometimes, food avoidance can take over people's lives and veer into an eating disorder.
Whether its gluten-free, dairy-free, raw food, or all-organic, many people these days are committed to so-called "clean eating" — the idea that choosing only whole foods in their natural state and avoiding processed ones can improve health.
It's not necessarily a bad thing to eat this way, but sometimes, these kinds of food preferences can begin take over people's lives, making them fear social events where they won't be able to find the "right" foods. When a healthful eating pattern goes too far, it may turn into an eating disorder that scientists are just beginning to study.
Alex Everakes is a 25-year-old public relations account executive from Chicago. As a kid, he struggled with being overweight.
