Signs Your Diet Is Too Restrictive

Here at Sweat Nation, we LOVE FOOD. We are firm believers that food should be enjoyed and not feared. But in a world where we are constantly being fed messages about trendy fad diets and weight-loss products, the pressure to eat less is REAL. But these quick fixes are unsustainable and often backfire on our attempts to get healthier. 

So how do you know if your diet is too restrictive? Here are some signs to look out for:

You are hangry and tired all the time.

We all know that person that’s not fun to be around when they get hungry. DON’T BE THAT PERSON! When you go on a restrictive diet, you prevent your body from getting enough calories and nutrients. This can disrupt your brain chemicals and blood sugar levels, resulting in mood swings and irritability. You are also more likely to feel tired and weak because your body is not getting enough fuel to function optimally. So don’t starve, because you (and everyone else around you!) will like you better when you are well-fed!

Your diet is affecting your social life.

If you find yourself avoiding social events, cancelling plans with friends, or feeling extremely stressed about food options when you do go out, this is a sign that your eating habits do not align with your way of living. A healthy eating plan is one that should work for you in any circumstance. Eating well is a LIFESTYLE, not a DIET. It’s time to throw that diet out the window and adopt more flexible and sustainable eating habits.

You are obsessing about food.

Do you find yourself thinking about food all the time? Are you preoccupied with counting calories and weighing and measuring every morsel that you eat? Is this making it challenging to focus on important things such as work or your relationships? These are all clear signs that you have taken your diet a step too far. Making food choices shouldn’t be stressful or involve complicated math. Instead, it should be a more mindful process where you get in touch with how you are feeling and what your body really needs.

You are experiencing a lot of cravings.

Cravings can occur when your body doesn’t get the nutrients it needs. For example, if you crave potato chips, this may be a sign that your body needs sodium. Stress can also lead to cravings because your body needs the energy to deal with the stressor. And what happens when you go on a crash diet? You don’t consume enough nutrients and you’re stressed! 

You are binging or overeating.

Skipping meals, not eating enough or purposely starving yourself when you are truly hungry is one of the worst things you can do when trying to change your diet. Even though you do not feel like you’re starving, your body is going to hit a point of extreme hunger. When this happens, you’re going to get SO hungry that you overeat to compensate. Not eating enough is one of the biggest reasons why people binge. It is NOT BECAUSE OF WILLPOWER! It’s simply because your body is not getting enough nutrients to perform basic functions. Instead of restricting your food intake, eat regular, well-balanced meals throughout the day. 

Let’s face it, trying to figure out what to eat can be challenging, especially when we are trying to achieve health and fitness goals. Our 20-minute Meal Guide is filled with healthy and delicious recipes that are easy to make and don’t require you to slave away in the kitchen the whole day. Most importantly, every meal in this guide will nourish both your body and mind. No deprivation here!

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