DIet Over The Edge

How to recognize when your diet has gone too far.

Losing weight is no easy task. In fact, if you're going to lose weight, you have to be exceptionally dedicated, not allowing anything to get in your way. However, your desire to trim up can occasionally come at a price. Sometimes your dieting can become so extreme that your body becomes deprived of the basic vitamins and minerals necessary for functioning during daily life.

Want to keep a tight reign on your diet and make sure it's not going too far? Make sure you don't experience these signs and symptoms of a diet gone wrong.

Mood Swings

Even when you're not dieting, if you don't eat, you probably get a little agitated. It's normal, as not getting enough of the right foods will put anyone in a bad mood. In the event you're undergoing an intense diet that robs you of the stuff you need to keep going strong, you'll wind up with regular mood swings that can be rather severe.

Lack of Energy

As you probably know, your energy level is directly proportionate to the amount of energy-filled foods you consume. Stop eating fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich lean meats without substituting these foods for other items and your energy level will plummet.

Half and Half. An amazing 50 percent of all American women are on a diet at any given time.

Muscle Loss

At the same time your energy level drops, so will the amount of muscle in your body. While a low- or no-carbohydrate diet will probably result in some weight loss, it comes at a cost. In order to maintain muscle, your body needs a certain amount of carbs, and robbing your body of all carbohydrate intake prevents your body from being able to maintain muscle.

Urinary Tract or Kidney Infections

Crash diets come in all kinds of forms. While many of the consequences of a crash diet can be overcome fairly quickly, crash diets that are maintained for a long period of time can put stress on your kidneys. The end result could be multiple infections in the urinary tract or kidneys.

Constipation

Nearly every diet encourages you to eat less of something. Some simply reduce your overall intake, while others focus on a specific type of food. Unfortunately, if you cut out fiber or other elements that are essential to good digestive health, you'll wind up with constipation or other complications of an unbalanced diet.

Frequent Illness

Cut back severely on the foods you eat and your body won't have access to vitamins and minerals necessary to keep your immune system strong. When your immune system is compromised, you put yourself at a much greater risk for illnesses ranging from the common cold to the flu to pneumonia and beyond. But dietary deficiencies don't just result in physical ailments. They can also result in depression and other mental health issues.

If you experience any of these symptoms, consult a physician or dietitian immediately. Be open about your concerns and be willing to make changes necessary. Since your dangerous dieting may be tied to other issues, you may require more than simple dietary changes. But by using the same determination that helps you say "No" to unhealthy foods, you can beat other underlying issues.

Trust Your Friends

If you're dieting on your own, you may find yourself being questioned on a regular basis. "Come on, one little bite won't hurt." "Are you sure you don't want some?" Often, these questions are asked by family and friends who are impressed by your will power and are interested in testing it.

However, if your loved ones begin to express concern about your diet, you should pay attention. If their questions begin to call into question whether you're eating enough to maintain your good health or if they are constantly talking about how skinny you are, your diet may have gone overboard. Speak with your physician or a dietitian to get it back on track.