Are you under eating without realizing it?

In today’s fast-paced world, undereating is more common than we realize. Whether it’s skipping meals because you’re not hungry, too busy, or sticking to a strict diet for too long, undereating places a significant stress on the body. And when that stress is ongoing, it can lead to more health issues than we might expect.

The stress of under eating

We often associate stress with external factors like financial issues, relationship problems, or chronic illness. But your body doesn’t differentiate between emotional stress and physical stress—such as undereating or overeating. All stress triggers the same biological response: the body goes into protection mode, which slows down digestion and metabolism to conserve energy. Over time, this stress not only impacts digestion but also affects how your body absorbs nutrients.

When you’re not eating enough, you’re not getting the nutrients your body needs to function properly. At the same time, the stress of undereating makes it harder for your body to effectively use the nutrients you are consuming. This combination creates a nutrient deficit, which can lead to symptoms like fatigue, poor immune function, and even weight gain—especially when your body senses that it’s in survival mode.

Why weight loss resistance happens

It’s important to stop and ask: Is my approach working? Is the weight actually coming off? If not, there may be a reason. Many people believe their bodies are working against them when they struggle to lose weight. In reality, the body is always working to protect us.

When you’re under stress; whether from undereating or other factors, your body may hold onto fat for survival. This can happen for a variety of reasons:

• Toxins: Your body stores toxins in fat cells to keep them away from vital organs. If you’ve accumulated too many toxins, your body may resist losing fat to avoid releasing these toxins into your bloodstream.

• Cortisol and Insulin: Stress raises cortisol levels, which can lead to increased insulin levels. Insulin is a storage hormone, meaning elevated levels signal your body to store fat rather than burn it for energy.

This isn’t your body working against you; it’s trying to protect you from further stress or harm.

The importance of rest and recovery

Dieting, rushing, and skipping meals all contribute to stress. Your body needs periods of rest and recovery, not just in terms of sleep, but also in how you approach food and health. Taking breaks from restrictive dieting, eating regular, balanced meals, and reducing stress are crucial to allowing your body to function properly.

So, before pushing harder or cutting more calories, ask yourself: Is my body protecting me? It might be time to support your body by giving it the nutrients and rest it needs to thrive.

What about cancer?

It’s natural to wonder how conditions like cancer fit into the idea of the body trying to protect itself. While cancer is a complex disease with many contributing factors, it’s important to understand that many cancers develop when the body’s cells are responding to prolonged stress, toxins, or damage. In some ways, this abnormal cell growth can be seen as the body’s attempt to adapt or survive in a challenging environment.

However, this process goes awry when the cells no longer function as they should. So while cancer isn’t a “protective” mechanism in the traditional sense, it is a reminder that the body is constantly reacting to its environment, sometimes in harmful ways. That’s why it’s essential to reduce stress, toxins, and inflammation as much as possible to support long-term health.

The coffee-only breakfast problem

For many people, a cup of coffee is breakfast. But while coffee can give you a quick energy boost, it also spikes cortisol levels. Cortisol is already naturally high in the morning to help wake you up, so adding coffee on top of that can increase cortisol even more, putting your body into a stress state right from the start of your day.

This can have two major effects:

1. Appetite Suppression: The caffeine in coffee can suppress your appetite, making you less likely to eat a proper breakfast. Skipping meals, especially in the morning, can slow down your metabolism and leave you feeling fatigued later in the day.

2. Blood Sugar Roller Coaster: Starting your day with just coffee can also lead to blood sugar crashes, leaving you craving sugar or refined carbs by mid-morning.

Instead of relying on coffee alone, try pairing it with a balanced breakfast that includes protein, healthy fats, and fiber to help stabilize your energy levels and reduce the stress response.

How to support your body

If you’re experiencing weight loss resistance, here are a few practical steps you can take:

1. Take a Break from Dieting: Give your body time to recover and reset.

2. Balance Your Meals: Ensure you’re eating enough to support digestion and metabolism, with a focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods.

3. Support Your Liver: If toxins are an issue, consider incorporating liver-supporting foods like leafy greens, beets, and cruciferous vegetables.

4. Reduce Stress: Practice stress-reducing activities like meditation, walking, or breathing exercises to help lower cortisol and insulin levels.

5. Listen to Your Body: Rather than forcing a rigid approach, tune into your body’s signals. It’s always working to keep you healthy.

Weight loss resistance isn’t a sign of failure, t’s often your body’s way of saying it needs a break, more nutrients, or less stress. By understanding the stress response and supporting your body with the right tools, you can create a more sustainable approach to health and weight management.

If you’re ready to dig deeper into personalized strategies for overcoming stress and weight loss resistance, I offer 1:1 coaching services to help you create a tailored plan for your health. Click here to learn more about working with me and how we can support your body together.