Unverified Food Allergies
Individuals with orthorexia may falsely believe that they have allergies to specific types of foods, even without any medical evidence to support their claims. Consequently, they start avoiding these foods under the assumption of being allergic, despite lacking any official confirmation of their sensitivities. Over time, this list of supposed allergies can expand, leading individuals with orthorexia to develop an extensive catalog of foods they feel compelled to eliminate from their diet in order to improve their well-being.
Irrational Obsession with Food Preparation
An individual with orthorexia may develop an excessive preoccupation not only with the specific types of foods they consume but also with how these foods are prepared. This obsession can reach such a level that they become overly paranoid and restrict themselves to consuming only foods they can personally prepare. Their anxieties often revolve around the proper washing of food and the sterilization of utensils.