The Case for Eating Enough — Especially if You’re Tired, Cold, or Losing Hair
If you’re feeling exhausted…
Cold all the time…
Hair thinning or falling out…
Brain fog creeping in…
And you’re wondering:
“Am I doing something wrong with my diet?”
You might be undereating.
Not “junk food” eating.
Not eating too much.
Not eating enough.
Let’s break down why that matters, and what it’s doing to your hormones, thyroid, and metabolism.
Diet Culture Has Lied to You
For years, you were told:
“Just eat less and move more”
“Try intermittent fasting”
“Cut carbs, cut fat, cut calories”
But what if that advice is exactly what’s wrecking your metabolism?
Because chronically under-eating sends your body one message:
“We’re in danger. Slow everything down.”
What Happens When You Undereat?
1. Your Metabolism Slows Down
Your thyroid gets the memo: “We’re not safe. Conserve energy.”
So it lowers Free T3 and raises Reverse T3, making you colder, more tired, and more prone to weight gain.
2. Your Hair Stops Growing
Hair is non-essential in survival mode.
Your body will pull nutrients like zinc, biotin, and iron for more critical systems.
So if you’re shedding like crazy?
It’s not always a shampoo problem. It might be a fuel problem.
3. Your Nervous System Stays in Freeze
No food = no fuel = no safety.
This keeps your cortisol rhythm off, your brain foggy, and your emotions fried.
4. Your Hormones Shut Down
Undereating = low cholesterol = low hormone precursors.
That can lead to low progesterone, low testosterone, and period problems (even in your 20s or 30s).
How to Know If You’re Undereating
Ask yourself:
Am I eating 2 meals a day… but skipping breakfast?
Am I afraid to eat carbs or fat?
Am I still stuck in the “eat as little as possible” mindset?
Do I feel worse after starting a new diet?
Am I exercising hard but not recovering?
If yes, your body might be begging for more, not less.
What to Do Instead
You don’t have to count calories.
But you do need to nourish like you mean it.
My basics:
Eat within 60 minutes of waking (especially if fatigued)
Include protein, fat, and fiber in each meal
Don’t skip meals (especially if you’re wired/tired or inflamed)
Support digestion and blood sugar with real food, not restriction
Your Body Isn’t Broken. It’s Trying to Survive.
And when you start feeding it consistently and adequately?
Energy comes back
Periods regulate
Hair regrows
Mood stabilizes
Weight shifts, not because you punished it into submission, but because you rebuilt safety
Ready to Rebuild (Not Restrict)?
If you’re tired, cold, foggy, and stuck, and you suspect under-eating might be part of the story:
