As an Indiana Personal Stylist, I like to feature a blog or two a year about nutrition. It’s a key part of our image and health, and it is very important for our image, too. This blog is by my client, Susan St. Angelo, a nutritionist.
Susan St. Angelo Discussing Your Health
Never thought I would ask if someone was eating enough, especially when it’s normally the opposite we ask ourselves: Am I eating too much? Not eating enough is something that we need to pay attention to. Finding that healthy balance for some of us can be a challenge especially if it’s been our normal pattern. It takes digging deeper to find the root cause of not
eating enough.
Everyone is different. And women may have some of these reasons attached to something else. And, we have different calorie requirements based on height and activity level. As we age, our metabolism and appetite changes. If this is the case, watch that you aren’t eliminating healthy nutrients in exchange for food that’s not nutrient-dense. Let’s dive into reasons why you might not be eating enough:
- Are you underweight? You can use standard formulas to determine if you are underweight, but
you probably know if you are underweight. Over time, being overweight can affect your teeth,
hair, and bones. - Are you tired? It may be because you have low energy levels due to not eating enough.
- Is your hair is falling out? Hair loss can mean that you aren’t getting the proper
nutrients you need. - Symptoms of food deprivation. Over time, food deprivation can affect hunger cues making you feel less hungry.
- Infertility. Problems trying to get pregnant while under-eating can alter your hormones.
- Are you always getting sick? Do you have a reoccurring cold? The thought of eating when sick
is often not appealing; however, it’s important to get nutrients in our body. Something as simple
as soup or broth can be just the answer! - Are you having mood disorders? Mood problems including depression and anxiety can lead to a reduced appetite for food.
- Do you feel cold all the time? That can be a sign that you are under-eating.
- Are you having gastrointestinal issues? Constipation and indigestion affect our appetite as well as chronic dieting.
- Are you noticing skin changes? Skin problems such as thin skin, wrinkles and pealing can be the result of under-eating.
- Are you on new medications? Medications can alter our appetite too.
- On the extreme side, organ failure can result from under-eating.
I don’t want to scare you; however, I want you to listen to your body, look for hunger cues such as stomach growling,
headaches, weakness, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating. What can happen if you
don’t eat enough? Well, there’s a few health risks including anemia, hypoglycemic, malnutrition,
weakened immune system, developmental problems, osteoporosis and bone fractures, and
complications during surgery. Personally, I can always tell when I haven’t eaten in a while—low
energy, shakiness, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and fatigue. Does this resonate with you?
Talk to your medical professional if you are concerned that you aren’t eating enough. And utilize a health coach and/or a nutritionist to educate you on how to slowly increase your calories and food intake, structure a realistic plan, and provide accountability. There’s no shame in asking for help and seeking out knowledgeable people to get you on the right path. I believe that small steps lead to big changes. Just take that first step toward good health!
