Do not stop at watching your weight alone; check your nails, feet and hair for signs that the weight loss diets need to be altered.

Weight loss diets can lead to deficiencies in essential minerals if not monitored properly. It is necessary to include different foods in your daily food routine to ensure that your intake is properly balanced. Though diets focus mainly on carbohydrates, proteins and fats, it is essential to know the visual signals that your body provides and take immediate action. Nails that break easily, increased hair fall are just pointers to a need for correction. Do not panic since these symptoms are usually alleviated once you have made the requisite changes. It is better to avoid treating symptoms without professional help.

Your nails

Are your nails growing normally? Nails that have a pink hue are healthy. They should be able to grow without turning brittle and cracking. Check your nails for ridges since this could be a sign of hypothyroidism and requires immediate attention. If you find that you feel tired a lot more and are not losing weight despite low food intake, this could be the problem. Weight loss diets need to keep balanced intake as the priority and include the right types of fats.

What is your hair saying?

Hair loss, bald patches, hair breakage are some of the signs that weight loss diets need a relook. Consumption of increased doses of Vitamin A is found to quickly resolve the situation. However, this is a fat soluble vitamin and demands the right amount of fat in your body for effective ingestion. Start sautéing red, yellow and orange vegetables and consuming them at regular intervals. Eat fruits of a similar colour set to ensure that you are treating your body wisely. Another check is for haemoglobin, these iron containing cells require the consumption of fish oils and dry fruits and meats like chicken and fish to achieve the required level.

And those feet

If you have chosen to follow a high protein diet, you might find yourself with excessive foot odour. The reason for this is that your sweat is discarding body toxins and bacteria are feeding on them. High protein weight loss diets lead to high toxins being removed through your sweat glands. Do you find that your feet swell and are painful at the end of the day? This is oedema and needs urgent medical attention. Immediately curtail your salt intake by substituting your meals with milk and milk based salt free foods. Oedema is symptomatic of an ailment and warrants a physical check to ascertain the cause.

Mental reactions

Mood swings are another symptom that tells you that the weight loss diets are not giving you the right amount of food. If you feel depressed, it could mean that your blood sugar levels are not being maintained. Up your consumption of complex carbohydrates in the long run and if you are feeling weak, have a cup of sweetened tea. Are you feeling worried or anxious or unable to concentrate a lot of the time? Remember, your brain has a high composition of fat and requires regular doses to remain healthy.