While gaining weight in general is often unpleasant, inexplicable, unwanted weight gain can be downright devastating. There are the simple explanations: eating too many sugary treats, not getting enough exercise or recovering from an injury or illness.
However, if none of these are the case, make sure that you rule out the following possibilities.
Are you eating processed foods?
Even if you’re staying away from donuts and candy bars, packaged, processed foods can still take a toll on your body, and your waistline. Even savory, healthy-seeming items often contain loads of sugar, especially in the form of fat-forming high fructose corn syrup.
Many also contain trans fats, dangerous hydrogenated fats which have no place in your body, and other chemical preservatives and anti-nutrients which can mess with your metabolism.
Are you eating a lot of wheat?
Wheat, found in many processed foods, and a dietary staple of many Americans, may be causing you to gain weight fast. Modern wheat is linked to inflammation, and may also cause spikes in blood sugar, insulin resistance and weight gain. It has also been found to be highly addictive, causing you to eat more and more wheat, which compounds its ill effects.
Are you taking in enough nutrients?
If you are deficient in certain nutrients, for example, iron, magnesium or vitamin D, it can affect your metabolism, causing you to pile on excess pounds even if you are exercising and not eating more than before. Nutritional deficiency can also zap your energy, leaving you too tired to exercise.
Luckily, this is easy to correct: just make sure you are eating plenty of whole, nutritious foods each day, including a rainbow of fruits and vegetables. If there is a color you’ve been missing, make sure to get it onto your plate.
Talking to a nutritionist can also help you set your diet back on track – but make sure to talk to one who rejects the principles of the food pyramid – read why in our article titled, The Food Pyramid is DEAD Wrong.
Are you taking medications?
Many medications have weight gain as a side effect. If this is the case for you, you may wish to talk to your doctor about other options for your condition that do not have this side effect.
Better yet, exploring natural options with your doctor or natural health professional may allow you to deal with certain health issues without medications, which often have other harmful side effects besides a little extra weight.
Are you feeling depressed or stressed out?
Depression, especially if it becomes chronic, can sometimes lead to weight gain. If you are self-soothing with unhealthy junk foods, or do not have the motivation to exercise, it can be especially problematic. Likewise, chronic stress may make you neglect healthy choices, can interfere with sleep, and can also lead to inflammation which can cause unsightly belly fat.
If either of these are the case, tackling the problem head-on is key. Talking to a counselor to develop a depression relief or stress-relief plan can do a world of good.
If you have ruled out the above-listed scenarios, are eating a healthy diet and are exercising and still continue to see the pounds pile on, it may be time for a visit to the health professional of your choice to rule out a health condition which may be responsible.
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-tips/health-problems-make-you-gain-weight?s=1&?
https://www.thealternativedaily.com/8-reasons-never-eat-wheat
https://www.thealternativedaily.com/5-ways-bypass-industrial-diet
