5 Signs You’re Not Eating Enough

Have you ever found yourself eating less, but still not losing weight or worse, you start to gain weight?!

What if I told you that you could be gaining weight because you’re not eating enough. #tocourtneymarie -- Tweet this!

What if I told you that you could be gaining weight because you’re not eating enough. 

Not Eating Enough Could Lead to Weight Gain

We all know that what we eat and how much we eat is a determining factor in weight loss. However, somewhere along the way we were taught that if we just eat less, then we’ll lose weight. I have so many clients who come to me with this mentality that eating less is the way to go, but they soon find themselves still having a hard time losing weight. So why is that? 

They’re not eating enough to give their body what it needs to function properly on a daily basis. 

Your body starts to burn fewer calories each day because you’re cutting calories. However, if you’re not eating enough, your body goes into “starvation mode” and it makes it that much harder to burn fat and lose weight. 

Once in starvation mode, your body has to find energy. But where? The easiest place it pulls energy from is your lean muscle mass A.K.A. “Those muscles that help you stay toned”. Your body tends to hold onto your fat cells because it’s not sure when or how much food it’ll get. 

So let me put it this way:

Fewer Calories = Less Muscle = Drop in Metabolism = Weight Gain (YIKES!)

I wanted to put together a list of some signs that you might not be eating enough. If you have one or more of these signs everyday, then it might be time to change up your eating habits. 

5 Signs You’re Not Eating Enough 

1. You Get Terrible Headaches Throughout The Day 

If you’re feeling dizzy, light-headed or having trouble focusing, these could be signs that your blood sugar is too low and you’re not eating enough. Your brain needs food just as much as the rest of your body. What helps? Carbs. Carbs are fuel for your brain! 

Examples: 

• Banana
• Rice Cake and Almond Butter
• Greek Yogurt and Granola

2. You Get Very Irritable 

If you go long periods of time without eating, you start to get a little “hangry”, no joke that’s actually a thing! Your blood sugar affects your mood in more ways than you think. Keeping your blood sugar in check throughout the day will help you stabilize your mood and be able to control your emotions. 

3. You’re Tired All The Time

Your body needs fuel to function just like a car needs fuel to run. Getting enough of the right nutrients will give you the energy you need to get through the day. You also want to make sure you’re drinking enough water to give you energy as well. 

4. You’re Still Hungry After Meals

Feeling hungry after you just ate could mean that you’re not eating enough or you’re not eating enough of the right foods. You want your plate to have a good mix of healthy carbs, protein and fats. Well balanced meals maintain your blood sugar levels. 

Examples:

• Salad - Lettuce, Chicken, Peppers, Avocado and nuts.
• Chicken, Veggies and Sweet Potato 

5. You Crave Sweets and Snacks A lot 

It sounds like common sense, but you’d be surprised how much your blood sugar affects your body. If you aren’t eating enough, your blood sugar drops and you start craving anything and everything. Eating enough throughout the day will help you balance your blood sugar levels which will keep those cravings away. 

So now comes the question of “How much should I be eating?” or “What should I be eating?”.

To be honest, it’s no one shoe fits all kind of thing. It’s different for everyone, that is why most diets don’t work. Not only are you and your body different, but also your lifestyle is different from anyone else. 

At the end of the day you have to find what works for you. A good place to start is eating clean whole foods and slowly choosing what works and what doesn’t work. 

If you're not sure where to start and want more support on your journey, FIT180 Transformation might be a good fit for you. Click HERE to learn more.