Why Undereating Is a Problem!

When you’re trying to lose weight, cutting back your caloric intake is perhaps the first thing you may think to try. After all, the body needs to burn more calories than it consumes in order for weight loss to occur.

However, when you don’t eat enough and whittle away at how much food you eat every day- you may be leading yourself down the wrong path. The body needs a certain amount of nutrients in order to function its best. Eating too much can be harmful. But eating too little can be harmful, too. Finding the right balance is key to hitting that sweet spot and maximizing health.

Eating too little can harm the body in different ways – many of which can actually sabotage your weight loss goals and make weight management more difficult. Here are just a few things that can happen when you don’t eat enough.

Muscle Loss

When the body doesn’t get enough calories, it goes into emergency mode – also called “starvation mode” – to ration what energy resources it does have and keep vital organs functioning. One response is to break down lean muscle tissue and use that as a source of energy to compensate for insufficient caloric intake.

Slower Metabolism

Another way the body rations resources during starvation mode is by releasing hormones that lower the rate at which the body burns calories. In other words, it dramatically slows down metabolism, making it harder to burn fat – the opposite of what you want when you’re trying to lose weight!

Hair Loss

Healthy hair is pretty low on the priority list when it comes to the body entering survival mode. Eating too little can mean you’re depriving the body of proteins, minerals, fatty acids and vitamins that it needs to function normally. So when the body isn’t getting enough food, it’s common for these components to be steered toward more essential tasks, like supporting internal organs.

Fatigue

Physical and mental fatigue are common in folks who aren’t eating enough. And when you’re tired, it becomes so much more difficult to stick to healthy habits, like exercising regularly, sleeping well, and maintaining healthy relationships. This can ultimately impact your weight loss goals as well.

Digestive Issues

Constipation – defined as having fewer than 3 bowel movements per week – is a considerable concern for individuals who aren’t eating enough. Constipation can be painful, worrisome and disruptive.

Get Sick More Often

The immune system is your body’s defense mechanism. Nutritional balance is vital for the immune system to work properly. When you aren’t providing your body with the nutrients it needs, the immune system has to work with limited resources. This means you’re more likely to get sick more often – and for the common cold to linger longer than usual. This, in turn, can affect other healthy routines – like exercising regularly – that are part of your weight loss plan.

While it may seem counterintuitive, not eating enough can actually make it more difficult to lose weight in a healthy way. When it’s not getting enough nutrients, the body responds by making adjustments and modifying hormones to slow metabolism and cause disruptions to a healthy lifestyle.

While eating too much comes with its own concerns, eating too little is problematic as well. When trying to manage weight and stay healthy, it’s all about finding balance.

Resources

Medical News Today - Explores the risks and health complications associated with undereating, including potential physical, mental, and emotional consequences such as nutrient deficiencies, weakened immunity, and slowed metabolism.

Healthline - Identifies signs of insufficient eating, such as hair loss, fatigue, and weakened immunity. It explains the importance of maintaining adequate caloric intake for overall health.

Eating Disorders UK - Outlines the physical and psychological effects of undereating, including its impact on energy levels, organ function, and emotional well-being.