5 Signs You May Not Be Getting Enough Nutrients

Feeling flat, run down, or just not quite yourself?

Your body might just be asking for a little more nutritional help.

Your body runs on a constant stream of nutrients to keep you going. This includes carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fluids.

Most of us do not think about our diet when something feels off, but that can sometimes be the reason. Let’s go through some signs that you may need some extra help with getting more nutrients.

1.  You feel tired all the time

Most of us feel tired, especially after a busy week or a late night. But ongoing fatigue is not normal. Not eating enough overall can leave you feeling low on energy. A lack of certain nutrients may also contribute to tiredness. Iron, vitamin B12, and folate are prime examples.

Instead of resorting to coffee, a Dietitian can look at your usual eating pattern, and identify whether you may be missing out on important nutrients. They can also help you build meals that provide energy to get you through the day, and have a restful night.

2.  Your hair, skin or nails feel different

Your hair, skin and nails can sometimes provide some clues about your nutrition state. Hair thinning or increased hair loss can happen for a number of reasons, as well as with your nails and skin.

Not getting enough protein, iron, zinc or other nutrients can play a role in some cases. But instead of jumping straight to the supplement aisle at the chemist, consider seeing a Dietitian to review what may be missing in your diet.

3.  You are getting sick more often, or taking longer to recover

Your immune system needs the right cocktail of nutrients for it to function properly and effectively. If you are not eating enough, or your diet lacks variety, you may not be getting all the nutrients your body needs to support normal immune function.

Protein, zinc, vitamins A, C, and D, and other nutrients all have roles in keeping your body functioning well. Getting sick does not automatically mean you have a nutrient deficiency, there are also plenty of other reasons you might catch the bug going around.

4.  Your wounds are taking longer to heal

Your body needs energy to firstly sustain itself, and then extra energy and nutrients if it needs to repair itself. Protein is particularly important for tissue repair. Various vitamins and minerals are also important.

If you have noticed that cuts or wounds are taking longer than usual to heal, it is worth speaking to your GP. A Dietitian can also assess if your food intake has enough energy, protein, and key nutrients to support any wound healing processes.

5.  Your appetite has changed, or you are unintentionally losing/gaining weight

There are often a variety of reasons for fluctuations in weight and/or appetite. You might find yourself skipping meals, or unintentionally overeating. You may find that your weight is either going up or down without trying.

This can happen for many reasons. Stress, illness, medications, changes in mood, or digestive problems can all affect appetite and weight, but it shouldn’t be the norm.

If you need help with understanding what may be going on, and how to manage this, a Dietitian can help. They can support you with finding ways to eat just enough for your body’s needs.

Who may be more at risk?

Anyone can have difficulty meeting their nutritional needs, but some people have a higher risk. This includes people who have a limited or restrictive diet, have a low appetite, follow dietary restrictions due to intolerances or personal choices, have digestive problems, or maybe increased nutritional needs due to health conditions.

What should you do if you are concerned?

First of all, don’t panic. A symptom on its own does not tell you which nutrient you might be missing. It could also have nothing to do with nutrition.

If you have ongoing or concerning symptoms, speak with your GP. They can investigate possible causes and arrange the appropriate blood tests. Then, a Dietitian can help you look at the bigger picture by assessing your usual food intake and identify potential gaps.

Importantly, avoid starting any high-dose supplements without professional advice. More is not better.

An OSCAR Accredited Practising Dietitian can help you understand your nutritional needs and make practical changes, without any complicated food rules.

If you are seeking personalised support, feel free to reach out.