Starving to lose weight? Here’s why it could backfire on your metabolism
Main factor that slows down metabolism (photo: Freepik)
Undereating can have surprising effects on the body. Instead of losing weight, your metabolism slows down as your body tries to conserve energy.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing Eating Well.
Why undereating is harmful
If you’re trying to lose weight but notice that your energy levels have completely dropped after a few weeks, this could be a problem. Metabolism is a cascade of reactions in the body that use nutrients from the food you eat.
Every cell in your body participates in metabolism to provide energy for daily activities. When you don’t consume enough calories, your body lacks the energy to support everything it needs to do.
Undereating, or consuming fewer calories than your metabolism burns daily, can be harmful because, over time, the body adapts to use fewer calories.
Prolonged insufficient intake can lead to nutrient deficiencies, a weakened immune system, a higher risk of chronic diseases, increased stress, and low energy levels.
Additionally, calorie restriction can raise cortisol levels — the stress hormone — which slows down body functions.
Eating for optimal metabolic health
Set a consistent meal schedule
There are days when people are so busy that they don’t even take a moment to eat. Skipping meals and irregular schedules — for example, having breakfast at 8 a.m. one day, skipping it the next, or eating the first meal late in the evening — do not support metabolism.
Build a balanced plate
Create a balanced plate for every meal, including a source of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats — for example, salmon fillet with brown rice, sautéed broccoli, and avocado. This ensures you get all the essential macro- and micronutrients in your diet.
Excluding major food groups can lead to vitamin or mineral deficiencies, which can disrupt metabolic function.
Additionally, including a source of protein in every meal and snack helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels and steady energy, as protein takes longer for the body to break down and digest.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
