Sure, you want to look slammin’ this summer in that brand-new bikini, but cutting back on calories may not be the answer! Not only can the calorie-counting process be tedious and stressful, but also we often miss out on important nutrients that actually support our weight loss goals. Skimping on necessary calories can lead to a variety of dangerous conditions, so next time you’re thinking about bypassing breakfast, consider the following reasons why a little something may not be so bad!
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Consuming too few calories can lead to heart problems. We often associate heart problems with obesity, weight gain, and a sedentary lifestyle, but consuming too few calories can also negatively impact our tickers! When people cut calories they often eliminate essential nutrients like healthy fats, carbs and proteins from their diet. If the body is forced to survive without these key elements for an extended period of time, it goes into starvation mode. The heart is put under a great deal of stress, which can result in an irregular heartbeat and weakened heart muscles. In severe cases, heart attacks can even occur.
Consuming too few calories can affect your metabolism. Sure, you might drop a couple pounds at first, but extreme calorie-cutting can put some serious strain on your metabolism! If you consume less than 1,200 calories a day for an extended period of time, your body will not ingest enough fuel to kickstart your metabolism. Instead of melting off that extra flab, you are going to lose your muscles instead! Without sufficient caloric intake, your metabolism will slow down to conserve energy and you may put yourself in danger of conditions like metabolic syndrome or Type 2 diabetes.
Consuming too few calories can lead to nutritional deficiencies. In general, most women struggle with a wide range of deficiencies when it comes to getting enough of those crucial vitamins and minerals. When we start cutting back on calories, our likelihood of contracting a nutritional deficiency increases exponentially. If we don’t stock up our diet with the right kind of ingredients we run the risk of developing conditions like anemia, a disease that impacts our red blood cells. According to Livestrong.com, this can result in symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, pale skin, irregular or fast heartbeat, dizziness, cold hands and feet, headaches, and even decreased cognitive function.
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Consuming too few calories can lead to digestive problems. Our digestive system is similar to our metabolism in that when we consume too few calories, it slows down in order to conserve energy. Without enough sustenance, our stomach empties more slowly and the lining of our intestinal tract can actually shrink. When we do finally get around to eating, our stomach is not able to properly digest the food, which can lead to side effects like diarrhea, cramping, and dehydration. One of these 100-calorie snacks between meals, or one of our favorite protein smoothies will go a long way in promoting your digestive health and weight loss goals!
Consuming too few calories can lead to unsafe weight loss. No matter how desperate you are to shake those love handles, it is essential that you remember that healthy weight loss takes time and control! One to two pounds a week is considered a safe goal for overweight women looking to trim up, but when you start cutting calories left and right, serious dangers arise! The prevalence of eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia have become shocking in recent years among women. Consuming too few calories can easily become an addictive behavior, so we highly recommend monitoring yourself carefully or working with a dietician during your weight loss journey.
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Don’t be afraid of food; it is an absolutely essential part of losing that weight! In moderation, and with proper regulation and control, cutting calories can be an effective part of slimming up. Just keep in mind that numbers are not everything. Supplementing your diet with the right kind of ingredients and exercising portion control will go a long way in helping you watch your waistline. For more information, check out our sources: Livestrong.com, Everyday Health, WebMD.