Orthorexia Test: Is Your "Healthy Eating" Actually an Obsession?

We all want to be healthy. Maybe you started by cutting out sugar, then gluten, then anything "processed." It felt good—empowering, even. But recently, that empowerment might feel more like a cage. You might find yourself declining dinner invitations because you can't control the menu, or feeling a wave of genuine panic when a "safe" food isn't available.
This Orthorexia Test is designed to be a gentle mirror. It helps you distinguish between a passion for nutrition and Orthorexia Nervosa—a condition where the obsession with eating "pure" foods begins to damage your well-being and relationships. This isn't about judging your diet; it's about checking in on your freedom.

How can this Orthorexia Test help you?

If you spend more time thinking about food quality than enjoying your life, this assessment can offer much-needed clarity.

• Identify Hidden Patterns: Reveal if your dietary discipline has quietly shifted into psychological rigidity.
• Validate Your Exhaustion: Understand that the "mental load" you feel around meal planning isn't just "being healthy"—it might be a sign of something deeper.
• Reclaim Your Bandwidth: The first step to getting your mental energy back is recognizing where it’s being drained.

What is the Orthorexia Test about?

Orthorexia Nervosa (a term coined by Dr. Steven Bratman) is distinct from other eating issues because the focus is on quality, not quantity. It’s not about losing weight; it’s about feeling "pure," "clean," or "virtuous."

You might be asking yourself:

• "Why do I feel so guilty after eating one 'bad' ingredient?"
• "Is it normal to spend 3 hours a day planning my meals?"
• "Why does my self-esteem plummet when I slip up on my diet?"
  This test explores the psychology behind these questions, looking at the emotional cost of your diet rather than the nutritional content.

How is this test designed?

Theory and measurement foundations

This screening tool is grounded in the criteria proposed by researchers like Bratman and the scales used in clinical psychology (such as the ORTO-15 logic). It shifts the focus from what you eat to how you feel about eating.

Which dimensions does this test look at?

We analyze your responses across three core psychological dimensions:

1. Cognitive Preoccupation: The amount of mental space and time consumed by thinking about food sourcing and quality.
2. Emotional Impact & Rigidity: The intense guilt, anxiety, or feelings of impurity that arise when rules are broken.
3. Social & Functional Impairment: How much your dietary rules are isolating you from friends, family, and daily activities.

How does this test work in practice?

Number of items and approximate time

The test consists of 15 items and takes approximately 3 minutes to complete.

How to answer

Tip: Be honest about your internal feelings, not just your external actions. There are no right or wrong answers, only your truth.

How do we calculate your results?We use a summation scoring method where higher frequency of specific behaviors (rated 1–7) correlates with a higher risk profile. Your score places you into one of three distinct behavioral categories.

Who is this test for?

This test is especially helpful if you:

• Feel that your diet is controlling you, rather than you controlling your diet.
• Have noticed your social circle shrinking because of your food rules.
• Feel superior to others based on your food choices, but also lonely.

Please consider seeking professional help instead if:

• You are currently underweight or experiencing physical symptoms of malnutrition.
• You are experiencing severe anxiety or panic attacks regarding food.
• Note: This is a screening tool for self-discovery, not a medical diagnostic device.

What will you see in your results? (Preview)

We don’t just give you a score; we provide a narrative explaining your relationship with food. Your result will fall into one of these three categories:

1. Balanced Eater: You view food as fuel and enjoyment. You prioritize health, but you can be flexible without anxiety.
2. The Health Enthusiast: You are deeply committed to nutrition. While your discipline is admirable, you are walking a fine line where "healthy" could become "obsessive."
3. Orthorexic Tendencies: Your results suggest that the pursuit of a pure diet is likely impairing your quality of life. The rules have become rigid, and the emotional toll is high.
   Each result page includes personalized insights on your strengths, potential friction points (pitfalls), and gentle steps forward.

What can you do with your results?

Treat the result as a mirror, not a verdict

A "high risk" result does not mean you are broken. It simply means your current coping mechanism (control through food) has started to backfire. This awareness is the turning point.

Small actions and longer-term directions

We provide actionable advice for every level, such as:

• The "One Item" Challenge: Intentionally eating one "impure" food to test your anxiety.
• Delegating Control: Letting a partner order for you at a restaurant.
• Re-framing: Shifting the goal from "Biological Purity" to "Holistic Happiness."

References & further reading

To ensure you have access to high-quality information, we rely on authoritative sources:

• National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): Information on Orthorexia
• HelpGuide.org: Orthorexia Nervosa Signs & Symptoms
• Psychology Today: What is Orthorexia?

Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: This online test is for educational and self-exploration purposes only. It is not a clinical diagnosis and cannot replace a professional evaluation.
Orthorexia Nervosa can lead to serious physical health consequences including malnutrition, as well as severe emotional distress. If you feel your relationship with food is affecting your health or your will to live, please contact a mental health professional or a dietitian specializing in eating disorders immediately.