Imagine feeling full after a meal, yet your body is starving for the nutrients it really needs. This is the reality for many people who are overweight but still malnourished. You may not wanna hear it, but carrying extra weight doesn’t always mean you’re nourished.
The Key Takeaway.
Being overweight doesn’t mean you have good nutrition. Many people with excess weight actually lack important nutrients, leading to health problems despite eating enough, or even too many, calories.
Overweight Does NOT Equal Good Nutrition.
Lately, extra weight is seen as a sign of wealth and good health. I think that the belief is that if you have enough to eat, you’re getting all the nutrients you need. But wait, it isn’t always true. Many overweight people eat foods high in calories but low in nutrients, what it causes is a form of malnutrition known as “hidden hunger.”
What Is Hidden Hunger?
Hidden hunger happens when the body doesn’t get enough vitamins and minerals, even if you’re eating enough food. This can happen when diets are heavy in processed foods that are calorie-rich but nutrient-poor. Over time, this lack of nutrients causes health issues.
Why Someone Can Be Both Overweight and Malnourished.
- Eating Processed Foods: Many processed foods are high in sugars and unhealthy fats but low in vitamins and minerals.
- No Variety: Eating the same types of food repeatedly leads to nutrient gaps.
- Poor Economy: Healthier foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins are more expensive. So this makes people choose cheaper, less nutritious foods.
What Happens When You’re Overweight and Malnourished?
- Weak Immune System: Your body needs vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, zinc, and iron to fight off sickness. Without them, you might get sick fast and more often and take longer to heal.
- High Risk of Diseases: Even if you eat a lot, missing important nutrients can lead to diabetes, heart disease, and other serious health problems.
- Tiredness: Feeling tired all the time isn’t just about weight. Low levels of iron, B vitamins, and magnesium can make you feel weak, lazy, or foggy.
- Muscle Loss: You can gain fat and still lose muscle if you don’t eat enough protein. This can make you feel weak and even cause problems moving around as you get older.
- Mood Swings: Your brain also needs proper nutrition. Lack of vitamin D, omega-3s, and B vitamins can cause depression, anxiety, or trouble thinking clearly.
How Can YOU Eat Better?
Eating better doesn’t mean eating less or more. It simply means eating the right foods.
- Instead of watching how much food you eat, watch what’s in your food. Vegetables, fruits, eggs, beans, and fish give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs.
- Fast food, sugary snacks, processed foods, anything junk might fill you up, but they don’t give your body the right nutrients so cook and use fresh ingredients.
- Protein helps you build muscles, keep you strong, and boost your energy. Eat more chicken, fish, eggs, beans, or dairy to boost it.
- If you eat the same thing every day, you will miss out on other important nutrients. Try to eat a mix of different fruits, vegetables, and proteins so your body gets everything it needs.
- Drink more water too. Many people mistake thirst for hunger and eat when their body actually needs water. Drink enough water every day for better digestion and energy levels.
- If your food is missing important nutrients, you might need a vitamin supplement (ask your doctor first). Vitamin D, omega-3s, and iron are the common ones people don’t get enough of. Wait up! You may really not need those supplements! Read this.
