7 Signs You Need to Change Your Diet

Less than 3% of Americans are living a healthy lifestyle. What you eat, whether or not you smoke, and your exercise routine can all impact your long-term health.

Are you constantly feeling hungry? Maybe you’re experiencing digestion issues or mood swings. These are all signs that your body is crying out for help!

Keep reading to discover the seven signs it’s time to change your diet. By learning how to pinpoint these signs, you can make a positive change for your health.

Instead of experiencing stomach issues, you’ll have peace of mind about your healthy choices.

Ready to make a change? Read on to discover when it’s time to start eating right.

1. Diarrhea and Constipation

You are what you eat, right? No one wants to deal with diarrhea and constipation on a daily basis. If you’re dealing with either, it’s time to take a look at your plate.

Coeliac disease is an immune disease that could cause persistent diarrhea. Do you eat foods that contain gluten, such as barley, rye, and wheat? When your body rejects the gluten, you might experience bloating and diarrhea.

Make a change to your diet for cutting out all foods that contain gluten for a week. Pay attention to how you feel once the week is up. Are you still experiencing stomach problems?

If your stomach problems stop after you cut out gluten, consider visiting your doctor.

If you’re constipated, you likely need to increase your daily intake of water. Try to drink half of your weight in ounces.

Otherwise, add a little more fiber to your diet. You can find fiber in dried fruits, nuts, whole grains, and beans.

Together, water and fiber can help you maintain regular bowel movements.

2. You’re Constantly Hungry

Are you getting enough vitamins and nutrients from your diet each day? Are you eating enough calories? If not, you probably feel hungry all the time.

Hunger isn’t a sign that it’s time to reach for a candy bar as a snack. Rather, it could indicate that it’s time to make a change.

First, take a look at the foods you eat throughout the week. Tracking your diet can help you make positive changes for your long-term health. It can also help you recognize where you’re getting your empty calories from.

These foods can include:

• Pizza
• Chips
• Ice cream
• Cheese
• Candy
• Fried foods
• Bacon, hot dogs, and sausage
• Cookies, cakes, and other sugary sweets
• Sodas and energy drinks

Instead of consuming empty calories, try planning daily meals that are full of nutrients. These can include:

• Legumes and nuts
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Lean proteins
• Healthy fats

Healthy fats can include olive oil (to replace butter) and some fish like salmon. These foods will help you stay full, which can help you avoid binge eating.

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3. Thinning Hair

Is your hair thinning and falling out? There’s a chance you’re low on iron. Your skin and hair both need iron to remain strong and healthy.

You can determine how much iron you need in your daily diet here.

Change your diet by adding foods like dark, leafy greens. Meat, fish, and poultry contain a lot of iron, too.

In addition to improving your long locks, iron can also give you more energy. Iron ensures you produce red blood cells, which are essential for storing and carrying oxygen.

4. Skin Problems

Your diet could exacerbate or cause dermatitis. While you might not have a food allergy, it is possible that your diet is contributing to your skin problems.

Some skin issues develop due to an increase in inflammation. Inflammation is your body’s response to illness or disease. Thankfully, there are a few foods you can eat to fight inflammation, including:

• Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines)
• Olive oil
• Bell peppers
• Berries (strawberries, cherries, blueberries)
• Turmeric
• Green tea
• Green leafy vegetables (spinach, collards, kale)
• Nuts (almonds and walnuts)
• Tomatoes
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Avocados

The next time you start planning daily meals, add these foods to your plan to see if they help your skin.

5. Stinky Breath and Cracked Lips

Do you smell that? If your breath is starting to stink, take a look at what you’re eating. An unbalanced diet can leave your body without glucose, which it needs for energy. If your body isn’t getting its energy from carbs, it will use the fats already stored in your body.

Your body will start breaking down the fats through ketosis, which is a natural metabolic response. Acids called ketones can start to form, which can make your breath smell like nail polish remover.

A low carb diet might contribute to your stinky breath.

Before starting a diet, consider checking in with your doctor. They can let you know if these symptoms are connected to a different condition.

For example, bad breath could indicate type 1 diabetes.

Have you developed cracks in the corner of your mouth? If you’ve developed angular stomatitis, consider visiting a doctor. They might determine you have a bacterial or fungal skin infection.

Otherwise, angular stomatitis indicates you don’t have enough iron in your diet. Change your diet to make sure you’re getting the vitamins and minerals you need. In the meantime, try using Vaseline against those cracked corners to help them heal.

6. Mood Swings

Your diet could have an impact on your mood as well. Don’t rush to cut carbs or reduce your caloric intake right away.

If your blood sugar levels drop, you could experience mood swings.

Make sure you have healthy carbohydrates in your diet, which will boost your serotonin production and mood.

Are you feeling anxious? Add B12 to your diet with protein. Different sources of protein include red meat, fish, and eggs.

7. Exhaustion and Sleep Deprivation

Exhaustion could indicate your blood sugar and insulin levels are low. Instead of reaching for a candy bar, try a banana. Healthy fruits and vegetables will help you slowly release energy (instead of experiencing a sugar rush).

Your diet could cause sleep deprivation, too. Cut out energy drinks and sodas that are high in sugar and caffeine. Instead, try a soothing tea for the caffeine you need.

Make Your Plate: 7 Signs It’s Time to Change Your Diet

Ready to make a healthier, nutritious plate for your next meal? Keep these signs it’s time to change your diet in mind before you eat. These tips can help you find the foods you need to stay happy and healthy.

Looking for more helpful diet tips? Explore the Health section of the blog today.