If you’re like millions of frustrated dieters, you may be jumping from diet-to-diet each month looking for the ‘final solution’ to your weight loss woes. Unfortunately, many people get stuck in a cycle of yo-yo dieting that can lead to a number of health problems and make it even more difficult to keep off the weight for good. BBC News reports on how ‘Yo-yo Madness’ can take its toll on health and lead to serious medical issues beyond obesity. If you’re stuck in a diet trap and thinking about starting a new one, here are five signs you need to stop dieting and move into an entirely different routine.

• Stop dieting when your cravings for sweet and fattening foods are only getting worse.

The American Society for Nutritional Sciences has published findings on the link between excessive food cravings and binge-eating disorder. If you’re stuck in a cycle of overeating and undereating, you could be paving the way for a full-blown eating disorder. Reduce your risk by eating a balanced diet of wholesome and nutritious foods whenever possible, and you’ll have far less cravings for extra sugar and fat in your diet.

• Stop dieting when if you’ve become constantly irritated or angry.

Irritability is a surefire sign that you’re not getting enough nutrition, and this can be linked to low blood sugar, malnutrition, and poor health overall. If this goes on for an extended period of time, you can quickly spiral down into a negative mood and even depression. The Guardian reports on the link between violence and what we eat after a study of food and nutrition in juvenile detention centers.

• Stop dieting when you can’t sleep properly.

A pattern of insomnia is closely linked to a poor diet. Most dieters miss out on essential nutrients when they cut back on food, and this can lead to poor sleeping patterns that keep you up late at night. Extreme hunger can also lead to poor sleep, and this will take its toll day after day. Make sure you’ve eaten a nourishing meal before hitting the pillow and avoid extreme diets that encourage you to eliminate food after a certain time; just follow your hunger cues!

• Stop dieting when you have difficulty concentrating.

Mental fog and an inability to concentrate can take their toll on your performance at work and day-to-day living. Eating the right types of food will help you keep your brain sharp, but cutting back on essential nutrients can take its toll on your ability to think straight. Therapy World explains that healthy whole grains are essential for staying focused and being able to concentrate better. Your top choices? Pasta, oatmeal, kasha, and corn.

• Stop dieting when you experience muscle fatigue, aches, and pains.

Muscle fatigue is a sign of malnutrition, and is especially prevalent in dieters who are cutting back on important food groups. If this goes on for an extended period of time, it can lead to dangerous health problems including muscle wasting and an inability to build health muscle. Avoid the energy slump of dieting by choosing to eat healthy and wholesome foods that provide steady energy and strength. This means a balance of proteins and high quality carbohydrates, as well as healthy fats such as Omega-3 and Omega-6.

Getting off the diet track can be challenging, especially if you’re often convinced by the latest fad or program. However, there are ways to reduce your risk for illness and poor health by skipping the diet altogether and simply following a balanced and healthy eating plan.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 25th, 2008 at 8:31 am and is filed under Diet, Health tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.