These days, most people complain that they overeat. New diet plans promising to help people drop the pounds go in and out of fashion every year. Advertisements for weight loss programs bombard us on television and the internet. Obesity and obesity-related diseases have reached epidemic proportions.

There is not a lot of concern these days about people getting too little to eat. Unfortunately, this problem tends to go unnoticed until it is severe. Not eating enough can be just as dangerous as overeating, though, because malnourishment can cause significant health problems too.

It's important to pay attention to the warning signs your body is sending you. Here are some signs that you need to eat more.

Hungry

A simple but overlooked obvious problem is hunger. Being hungry is your body's first attempt to send a message that it needs more food to convert into fuel.

Not Your Best

If the body continues to be deprived of fuel, it won't take long before this begins to affect your everyday life. It gets more and more difficult to keep up with activities and perform even the simplest tasks.

When your body lacks fuel, you may notice you have a distinct lack of energy. You may feel weak, fatigued, or even shaky. You may get dizzy, feel easily confused, and have trouble thinking. All these symptoms are a sign that your brain is trying to conserve the energy it has.

Mood and Emotions

A good indicator that you're not getting enough to eat is that you may feel irritable, angry, or anxious. This is because when you're not getting enough food, the stress causes your body to produce adrenaline.

Adrenaline triggers your body's flight-or-fight response. This response is supposed to help you react in times of danger. When you're not eating, you are in danger, but there is no predator to fight or natural disaster from which to flee. Instead, your body just stays on high alert, and you will feel wound up and stressed.

Physical Red Flags

All the signals your body has sent until now show that the problem is getting serious. Eventually, a lack of nutrition will begin manifesting in physical symptoms. You may feel cold all the time because your body doesn't have enough fuel to generate heat.
You may experience headaches or heart palpitations due to low blood glucose levels. You may lose hair, or your nails may become brittle due to malnutrition. Women may stop menstruating, or the menstruation cycle may become erratic.

All these signs are your body's way of screaming for food as it tries to cope with malnourishment. It would be best if you listened before it's too late.

Sources: Nutrition Stripped, Sources: SOURCE, Sources: Healthline

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