8 Signs You Might Be Undereating
While we often hear about overeating, undereating is a common issue too, and it can pose serious health risks.
Food is our body’s fuel, and not getting enough can affect your overall health and wellbeing, especially if you lead an active lifestyle. Here are eight signs that you might be undereating.
1. Fatigue
Feeling constantly tired is a major sign of undereating. Our bodies need energy from food to function properly. This energy supports everything from exercise to basic bodily functions like breathing and digestion. If you’re not eating enough, you may feel physically and mentally drained, impacting your daily activities and quality of life.
2. Weakened Immune System
When you don’t eat enough, your body might lack the nutrients needed to keep your immune system strong. This can lead to getting sick more often, and illnesses might linger longer because your body doesn’t have the strength to fight them off.
3. Poor Hair, Skin, and Nail Health
If you’re not getting enough calories, your body prioritises essential functions, leaving less energy for maintaining healthy hair, skin, and nails. As a result, you might notice your hair becoming brittle, your skin looking dull, or your nails becoming weak.
4. Difficulty Losing Weight
It might seem counterintuitive, but eating too little can actually make it harder to lose weight. When you undereat for a long period of time, your body goes into energy-saving mode, storing calories as fat instead of burning them.
5. Constipation and Poor Digestion
Under eating can lead to fewer bowel movements, making it difficult to digest food properly. Less food in your system means less waste to pass, which can result in constipation.
6. Difficulty Sleeping
If you’re not eating enough, you may have trouble getting quality sleep. Your body needs energy to repair itself overnight, and without it, you might wake up feeling groggy and unrested.
7. Feeling Cold
Your body needs fuel to maintain a normal temperature. When you cut back on calories, it can lower your body’s ability to regulate heat, leaving you feeling cold more often.
8. Moodiness and Irritability
You might have heard of being “hangry,” but under-eating can lead to more serious mood swings. Your brain requires fuel to manage emotions, so if you’re feeling irritable over small things, it might be a sign that you need to eat more.
Why Does This Happen?
When you under-eat, your body starts to conserve energy.
Here’s what happens:
– Metabolism Slows Down: Your metabolic rate, or the rate at which your body burns calories, can decrease. This means your body is using fewer calories for daily activities and functions.
– Hormonal Changes:
Your body might produce less of certain hormones, like thyroid hormones, which are crucial for regulating metabolism and temperature. This can leave you feeling cold and tired.
– Enzyme Activity:
Enzymes, which help with digestion and metabolism, may not work as effectively when your body is low on fuel. This can lead to digestive issues and make it harder to absorb nutrients.
– Energy Prioritisation:
Your body prioritises essential functions (like keeping your heart beating) over less critical ones (like hair and nail health). This can lead to signs of poor health in those areas.
Key Takeaways:
– Food is fuel.
Eating less than your body needs can significantly impact your health.
– Know your needs.
Understanding how many calories your body requires for basic functions is essential.
– Seek help.
If you suspect you might be under-eating, consult a health professional to evaluate your dietary needs.