Are you eating enough?

Many people are quick to blame nagging health issues on their food habits and often rightfully so. But they’re more likely to pin it on over-eating when often the root of the issue is actually the opposite. Under-eating is VERY common. We’ve conditioned ourselves to believe that eating less  = better life. The truth is that’s not always true. I know, I KNOW, this is the opposite of what you’ve believed your whole life! Eating too little is just as unhealthy as eating too much. Under-eating can start you on a downward spiral to issues that could be helped or could completely disappear if you ate more + enough food, including why you can’t seem to lose weight like you used to. 

People under-eat for reasons like:

• Chronic dieting

• Stress

• Fear of certain foods/food groups

• More active than you think

• Busyness

Is this you?

• Weight isn’t budging (a short-term, slow, and moderate caloric deficit can lead to sustainable weight loss; a too BIG caloric deficit done too often can prompt your metabolism to adapt in order to keep your body in a state of balance. Your body does not like major, drastic changes. It will make modifications to your hormones to reduce your overall caloric output.

• Feel shaky, dizzy, and anxious

• Can’t make it through your workout

• Low-energy/fatigue

• You can’t fall asleep (or stay asleep)

• Hungry all of the time

• Trouble concentrating, thinking with clarity, and coping with stress (you’re on edge)

• The temptation to overindulge is REAL and happens often

• Thoughts are totally consumed by food

• Get sick often

• Losing muscle

• Missing periods

• Cortisol levels are haywire

• Always cold

• Losing too much hair

“Enough” food is unique to you, your age, weight, activity level, your goals, history with food/dieting, and a few other factors. An online calculator just won’t be able to pick up on all of the details that make you YOU. The coaches at BIN can help you understand if you’re eating enough and help you start working your way back to a happy + healthy metabolism, moving towards your goals instead of standing still, better sleep, and a better mindset/relationship with food.

Written by: Joyce Murphy, Black Iron Nutrition Coach