It's good to eat well and avoid junk food, but some people take it too far and cut too many foods out of their diet. And this can be unhealthy in its own way. Eating a diet that's too harsh can mean you don't get the essential nutrients that your body needs, which is both physically and mentally unhealthy. These are some indications that your diet could be too extreme …
One indication that you're taking your diet too far is if you avoid eating in front of other people. Perhaps you don't want them to see how little you eat, or you're afraid that they will encourage you to eat high-calorie foods. Maybe you want to avoid meals altogether. If you don't like eating when other people are around, that's very concerning.
You may want to eat a healthy diet or lose weight, but if you're still not feeling 100% that could suggest that you've gone too far. If you have low energy, your skin is not in good condition, or your periods have stopped, your weight may have dipped too low or you could be missing out on the nutrients that are vital to maintain your energy and health.
Very restrictive diets are not good news. So if you've cut a lot of different foods out of your diet, you may be going too far. Restricted diets should only be done under the guidance of your doctor, for example to see if you have a food intolerance. Your body needs a variety of foods, so make sure that you are getting all the right nutrients and not missing out too much.
Dropping weight very fast is the wrong way to go about weight loss. Assuming that you do need to lose weight, this should be done gradually. Crash diets are wrong for your body and don't address any psychological issues you have with food. So never try to lose weight in a hurry, such as for a special occasion. It should be done slowly and steadily instead.
Are you obsessed with food, and spend most of your time thinking about it? Do you count calories and worry about how many you're consuming? If you only think about food, and fret that you've ruined your diet by having a treat, food has become far too significant.
Are you often irritable and experiencing mood swings? This could be a sign that your blood sugar is low because you're not eating enough. Hunger puts us in a bad mood and leaves us stressed and often angry. You may also be getting mood swings if you're over-exercising in an attempt to lose weight fast.
Finally, even if you want to eat a healthy diet you don't have to deprive yourself of any treats. If you're doggedly denying yourself any treats whatsoever, you could be making your diet too extreme. Weight loss isn't about total self-denial, so don't feel bad about allowing yourself a few indulgences.
While it's good to eat a healthy diet, you shouldn't be too extreme. So make sure you're eating enough to keep yourself well!