4 Signs You’re Eating Too Many Processed Foods

A bad diet can make a person feel sluggish and lethargic. Most people consume unhealthy foods because they are cheap and tasty. If you are tired of dealing with the negative effects of a bad diet, it is time to do something about it. While eating healthy will take some getting used to, it is the best way to get your body back on track.

Processed foods make up over 70 percent of the American diet. The Department of Agriculture defines processed foods as any agricultural commodities that are canned, cooked, frozen, dehydrated or mixed. Basically, these foods have been altered from their natural state for mass production.

If you are consuming too many processed foods, you might start to notice the problems below. 

1. Thinning Hair Can Be Caused By Processed Foods

Most people work extremely hard to maintain an appealing physical appearance. If you notice your hair is starting to lose its shine, then you might be experiencing a problem caused by the consumption of processed foods. Ingesting too many processed foods will rob your body of vital nutrients. If your body is vitamin deficient, then you will start to notice issues involving thinning hair.

Making a few diet changes can help you overcome these issues. Eating foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids is a great way to improve hair health. Foods like walnuts can provide your body with these much-needed fatty acids. You can eat these nuts by themselves or use them as a salad topper.

2. You Always Feel Thirsty

One of the main ingredients most processed foods share is a ton of sodium. This sodium is added to prolong the life of processed foods and make them taste better. Having too much salt in your diet can have a negative effect on your body. You need to realize that sodium draws water out of your body.

If you are consuming too many processed foods, you might start to notice that you’re constantly thirsty. This is your body’s way of telling you that it has too much sodium. Reducing the number of processed foods you consume can help you remedy this issue in no time.

3. Ongoing Headaches

Headaches are another problem caused by having too much sodium in your diet. When your body is dehydrated, you will start to experience headaches on a regular basis. Additives in many processed foods, like amino acid tyramine, can also cause headaches. These additives are commonly found in processed foods that are aged or fermented to enhance their shelf lives.

4. You Constantly Feel Bloated

Consuming too many processed foods can also leave you feeling bloated. Remedying this problem will require you to ingest more potassium and electrolytes. These substances can be found in things like plain yogurt, bananas and sweet potatoes. By consuming more of these foods, you can combat the increased amount of sodium in your body.

If you are currently dealing with one or more of the issues mentioned here, it is time to put down processed foods.