5 Signs Your Diet Is Hurting, Not Helping

There are so many fad diets, and most of them are just that: a fad. We all know that a balanced diet and regular exercise are the best way to stay healthy, but when you’re trying to drop a few pounds, there’s nothing wrong with trying a new diet. Most of these fad diets are "restrictive," which means they cut a certain kind of food out entirely. This may work for some, but how do you know when you’re diet not only isn’t working, but is actually hurting you?

1. You’re cranky. Some diets ask you to eat too little per day, or recommend dangerously low amounts of protein or fiber. Look out for diets that ask you to eat less than 1200 calories a day. This can cause your blood sugar to drop lower than normal, and can make you irritable and impatient.
2. You’re lightheaded. Diets that are too heavy in one or another food group or nutrient can, you guessed it, make your blood sugar so low that you could feel anything from dizziness to heart palpitations.
3. You’re gaining weight. Diets that restrict your calorie intake too much can both slow down your metabolism and make you feel even hungrier. A recent study, reported by Today Health, said that skipping meals could cause the body to store more fat in your belly and increase your risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
4. You’re craving your favorite foods. Restrictive diets, such as no-fat or no-carb diets, are a recipe for disaster. Just because you’ve decided that you’re not going to eat those things anymore doesn’t mean you’re not still going to want them. It’s much better to slowly phase out foods the carbs you love so much than to try to go cold turkey. 

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5. You’re stressed out. A study done by the University of California, San Francisco concluded that the behaviors required when dieting, namely tracking your calorie intake and restricting that intake, can place significant stress on both your mind and your body. Mental health is just as important as physical, and a diet shouldn’t take a toll on both.

There’s no reason for a diet to make you feel worse. If your diet is healthy, it should leave your mind and body feeling better, not worse. Try a diet balanced in all the food groups, and remember, the occasional piece of chocolate or handful of chips won’t ruin your progress.

Photo Copyright © 2012 Jamie McCaffrey/Flickr

What diets have worked for you?