Surprising Facts About Not Eating Enough

Millions of Americans read diet books and watch weight loss competitions on TV. It’s an obsession with so many. Why? Because according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 66 percent of American adults – that’s just over 70 million! – are at an unhealthy weight (overweight) or obese.

Carrying too much weight happens when you don’t consistently use the calories you consume. When I say don’t use it, it’s not just because you don’t exercise or move enough to burn it. It also means when you have a toxin overload and your body can’t convert the food into useable material.

But the natural reaction to lose weight is to do one of two things. You either eat less or try to burn more calories.

However, it might come as a surprise to learn that when you try to cut calories by eating less you could also be causing more harm to your health. Yes, you read that right. Problems caused by undereating – not consuming enough calories – can cause all kinds of havoc, even as the number on the scale decline.

Sensible dialing back of calories from hard to digest food sources such as red meats, gluten, sugar, and processed foods or intermittent fasting is safe for most adults and recommended twice per year according to Ayurveda, the science of healthy longevity.

Yet, consuming insufficient calories on a regular basis often leads to chronic fatigue and other serious issues. This is one of the main reasons why we need to STOP dieting and START eating right for your body type, age, and current health condition.

So, I invite you to think about this. Are you eating enough of the right foods? If you want to find out more about how undereating affects your body and how you can overcome it, read on!

Understanding Undereating:

1. Recognize the symptoms. Some signs of undereating are easy to spot. You’ll probably feel more tired than usual, your skin may look dull or break out in hives or acne, and your brain just seems like it’s in a fog. Your nails become brittle, vision blurs. You may also experience hot flashes, hair loss, and constipation.
2. All symptoms are not easy to discern. There are other symptoms that are less visible. When your body is starved for fuel, it starts to break down muscle and organ tissue. Your immune system becomes weaker and you’re more likely to become ill on a cyclical basis. You may also develop osteoporosis, anemia, and diabetes.
3. Restrict food safely. Eating too little and exercising too much can backfire when you’re trying to lose weight because your metabolism will slow down. This is why after the first five or seven days of your new “this is it!” diet, the scale doesn’t budge and frustrations run high. Although the National Institute of Health recommends a minimum of 1,200 calories a day for women and 1,500 for men to prevent malnutrition, Ayurveda does not recommend calorie counting because it’s so subjective to the individual and their activity levels. The easy to follow guideline provided by Ayurveda is that you eat enough of a variety each meal to feel satisfied and you can make it from one meal to the next without feelings of starvation.
4. Ask an Ayurvedic Practitioner! Find someone who can help you discern what types of foods are best for your body type. They’re food and nutrition experts who can help you to create an individual program that works just for you.

Overcoming Undereating:

1. Love your body. It’s the vehicle we were born with and although we do have capacity to change it, it’s important to understand why are you trying to lose weight in the first place. If it’s for health reasons, that’s good. If it’s because of peer pressure or self-esteem issues, those are not so good reasons. We all have something to be proud of and others not so much so…. Learn to accept your body and play up your strong points like those beautiful long legs or more importantly that bright personality that you should let shine!
2. Eat three meals a day – smaller breakfasts and dinners, eat your biggest meal at lunch. Our bodies are meant to run nutrition through it three times a day – the digestive system needs to finish its job of processing the last meal before you consume the next. If eating three meals a day is a struggle for you, try to cut back to four. If it’s still too much not to snack….
3. Snack on easier to digest foods. Make it convenient and healthy by bringing along your own supplies like fruit, veggies, rice cakes, raisins, yogurt, or nuts. This should play a big part in stopping you from running to a vending machine or nearest fast food restaurant for a grab and go munchie attack.
4. Focus on whole, organic foods. The quality of your food matters as much as the amount. Avoid filling up on junk food with excess sugar and salt that cause inflammation and other troubles. Stick to healthy choices like lots of steamed or stir fried vegetables and whole grains.
5. Increase lean protein. Eating a protein-rich diet can help people lose weight because it can help them avoid overeating. Foods rich in protein are especially helpful for providing energy and strengthening your muscles and bones. Foods that provide sufficient sources of protein are oats, quinoa, black beans, lima beans, potato, broccoli, cauliflower, legumes, chick peas, almonds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, avocado, cow’s milk, artichokes, eggs, chicken, and fish. 
6. Choose healthy fats. Consuming more fat is a simple way to take in more calories from the same amount of food. Have an avocado or a handful of nuts or seeds. Add a little more olive oil to hummus and roasted potatoes. Switch to whole fat dairy products. Start the day with a serving of salmon or other fatty fish.
7. Take supplements only as needed and directed. Undereating often creates nutritional deficiencies, so you may need supplements at least temporarily. Follow recommendations from health care provider and Ayurvedic Practitioner which may include calcium, iron, and specific vitamins and minerals.

Conclusion: Maintaining a healthy weight lowers your risk for health complications and increases your chances for living a long and active life – healthier ever after. Talk with your Ayurvedic Practitioner about how to develop a food regime that keeps you energetic and well-nourished without gaining or losing too many pounds.

If you would like to learn more about how to choose the right foods for your body type and maintain a healthy weight naturally, contact Sharon at (508) 254-2561 or email at [email protected].