If what you're eating isn't right for your body, it will let you know. Here are the signs to watch out for, to detect if you need to change the contents of your plate.
Ultra-processed foods eaten too often, not enough protein or too few vegetables… There are different ways to eat poorly. And often, after a long time, your body finally lets you know. Here are the signs that your diet is not suitable for you, according to Alexandra Murcier, dietitian-nutritionist.
Digestive problems after meals
The first signs that a meal did not suit you often occur immediately after eating. You may feel bloating, reflux…
The cause: too much consumption of ultra-processed products, gluten intolerance or meals that are too rich, for example. According to Alexandra Murcier, it may be useful to take probiotics in this case. “You must also eat slowly, chewing well, because digestion begins in the mouth. To identify foods that you cannot tolerate, you can also note what you eat and the related signs of digestive discomfort, then. she advises.
It is also important to rebalance your plate, by trying if possible to cook your own meals, for a more balanced diet.
Restless sleep and fatigue during the day
Having an unbalanced diet also affects our sleep. Can't sleep? You may be lacking certain amino acids, which are essential for making melatonin, the sleep hormone. Dairy products provide a supply of tryptophan, an amino acid essential for the production of the hormone. So have the reflex to consume it in the evening, to better fall into the arms of Morpheus afterwards.
“It is also preferable to eat light and avoid excessively cooked fats so as not to disrupt digestion. And respect at least 2 hours of time between meal and bedtime, especially if you have reflux” recommends our expert. To effectively combat fatigue, a diet with a low glycemic index is also interesting. “It helps limit variations in blood sugar and the resulting hypoglycemia, which makes us extremely tired.“.
Difficulty losing weight
When your diet is unbalanced, you often consume more calories than you need. This results in their storage in the form of fat and extra pounds on the scale! There's nothing like a balanced diet, with the right amount of carbohydrates, proteins and good fats to avoid excess pounds. “If you are having difficulty losing weight, it may be helpful to do a thyroid assessment and also to check if you are eating enough, because sometimes too low a calorie intake can block weight loss” adds the specialist.
Skin full of imperfections
The skin is also a reflection of its diet, although this is not the only parameter influencing it. But oily skin with pimples can be caused by a dietary imbalance. Alexandra Murcier advises to “take zinc or consume foods rich in zincand above all to reduce the consumption of foods with a high glycemic index“.
Mood swings
We don't think about it, but food also influences our mood! “Mood disorders can also be due to a diet that is too restrictive: the frustration it causes is felt on our morale. You must always keep pleasure in food” cadvises the dietician.
NO to diets, YES to WW!
Other small signs may show a deficiency…
Almost everyone has noticed small white spots on their nails. Often attributed to a deficiency in dairy products and more precisely to a lack of calcium, these stains are benign. “Beyond white spots on the nails, other signs should alert you to a potential deficiency, such as significant hair loss, which shows a iron deficiencyan eyelid that jumps is typical of a magnesium deficiency or even repeated infections which indicate a lack of vitamin C” concludes Alexandra Murcier.
Slide: Eating a balanced diet on a small budget is possible!
