Your health is the most important asset you should invest in. Luckily, there are many ways for you to protect it. For instance, you may try exercising or find exciting hobbies that allow you to be more physically active. Of course, you shouldn’t forget about your mental health, so it’s also advisable to include some mental exercises in your routine.

A crucial factor that affects your health is your diet. However, the problem is that there’s a broad range of dieting tips and diet types out there, resulting in confusion and plenty of trial and error. Furthermore, you can’t immediately determine if a particular kind of diet is right for you.

Fortunately, there are many signs, both physical and mental, indicating whether a certain diet isn’t working as it should. It’s a must to know these signs first so you can figure out if the diet you’ve selected is indeed the best diet for you.

1. Your Breath Smells

You may not notice right away that you have bad breath. But if someone points it out or you notice that you’re constantly reaching for gum or mints, then one possible cause is your diet, especially if you’re following a low-carb plan.

With a low-carb diet, you have an insufficient or low supply of carbohydrates. Due to this, your body, which usually burns carbs for energy, may start using other sources such as protein and/or fat for the same purpose. When your body burns fat, for instance, it’ll produce ketones, one of which is acetone. As you may already know, that chemical has an unpleasant smell. So if your body starts burning those alternatives, then one possible consequence is bad breath.

If you’re on a low-carb diet, you can expect to experience that effect. Having bad breath will take a toll on your confidence. If your daily routine involves talking to other people, then you may want to reconsider this diet plan.

2. Acne Starts Appearing

Another confidence-busting sign that you need to change your diet is the appearance of acne. It’s true that acne can be caused by multiple factors, such as stress and hormones. However, one possible cause of acne is diet. This is because your diet plays an important role in targeting inflammation, which is the main reason for acne.

Here are some foods that may cause acne due to their relation with inflammation:

  • Dairy products
  • Fast food
  • Refined grains and sugars
  • Chocolate
  • Whey protein powder

If your diet contains these types of food, then it may be time to change it. By consuming foods with anti-inflammatory properties, such as plant-based options, you may be able to minimize acne and boost your confidence level at the same time.

3. Trouble Concentrating

Stress or fatigue may have a negative impact on your attention span. However, if you constantly have trouble concentrating despite being well rested, the possible culprit may be your diet. The reason for this is that your brain demands a steady supply of fuel, given that it operates 24/7. The fuel that your brain needs is sourced from the food you consume.

That being said, consuming foods rich in minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins are beneficial for the brain since these are considered high-quality ‘fuel.’ However, following a diet that contains plenty of refined carbs and is high in sugar may have a negative consequence on your brain, resulting in ‘brain fog’ or trouble concentrating.

4. Fatigue

If you often find yourself tired despite getting enough sleep at night, then this may be caused by a lack of iron. Iron is an important mineral since it ensures that your red blood cells are capable of carrying oxygen throughout your body. Lack of oxygen in your tissues may trigger the brain to rest, causing fatigue.

Thus, if you feel sluggish, then try changing your diet to see if doing so will make a difference. You can start by incorporating iron-rich foods into your diet. Some good examples are beans, seafood, red meat, and dark green leafy vegetables like spinach.

Do note that just because you’ve experienced some or all of the above signs, it doesn’t mean that you have to completely abandon your diet. In fact, to truly benefit from a well-planned diet, consistency is a must. Thus, consider eating healthy food not just a diet but a lifestyle you must live by.

How To Know If Your Diet Is Working

After learning about the signs that your diet isn’t working, the next step is to find out whether it was right to switch to a different one. To help you out, here are some indicators that your current diet is already suitable for you:

  • Feeling satisfied after meals
  • More energy
  • Your clothes fit you well
  • Better sleep quality
  • Good mood
  • More physical and mental endurance

Final Words: Talk To A Doctor

Before suddenly changing your diet, you have to conduct thorough research. Also, you may want to take a look at your lifestyle and assess if the diet you want to try is suitable for it. Most importantly, consult your doctor about your decision first. Doing so may inform you of any possible food allergies you might have.

Moreover, if you truly want to avoid experiencing the signs in the first place, it’s always best to talk to a health care professional regarding your diet. This is because they can give you sound medical advice about which dietary plan to follow, helping you steer clear of any consequences that may be detrimental to your health.