Warning Signs Your Diet May Not Be as Balanced as You Think

You eat three meals a day and try not to skip breakfast. There’s usually something green on your plate. It sounds okay, but eating regularly doesn’t always mean you’re eating well. Sometimes, your body sends quiet signals that something’s missing before any serious problem shows up.

These signs aren’t always obvious. Often, it’s the tiredness that sticks around, the skin that’s lost its glow, or getting sick more than usual. Here are a few clues your diet might need a closer look.

You Eat, but You’re Still Hungry

If you finish a plate of pap, white bread, or noodles and still feel like reaching for more, your meal might not be balanced. Meals made mostly of starch, with little protein or fibre, fill you quickly but don’t satisfy for long. Adding beans, chicken, eggs, tinned fish, or leafy greens like morogo can keep you full longer and help your energy last.

You Wake Up Feeling Tired, Even After a Good Night’s Sleep

If you’re dragging yourself out of bed and find it hard to get moving, it might be because you’re low on iron or B vitamins. Simple, everyday foods like spinach, beans, eggs, liver, or wholegrain bread can help boost your energy without any fuss.

Your Skin Looks Dull or Feels Rough

Dry or patchy skin isn’t just about the weather or lotions. It can mean you’re not getting enough vitamin A, zinc, or healthy fats. Try including more oily fish like pilchards, peanuts, butternut, and remember to drink enough water throughout the day.

You’re Often Catching Something

If colds and sniffles seem to find you easily, your immune system might need more support. You don’t always need supplements—foods like oranges, guavas, mangoes, eggs, and lentils can strengthen your natural defences.

Your Mood Feels Up and Down

Skipping meals or eating mostly white bread, sugary snacks, or sweetened drinks can cause your energy to spike and drop quickly, leaving you moody or tired. Eating regular meals that include protein, fats, and fibre helps keep your mood steady.

Your Hair Breaks or Nails Feel Weak

When hair thins or nails break easily, it’s often a sign your diet is low in protein or iron. Your body prioritises vital organs first, so these signs appear early. It’s worth paying attention.

What to Keep in Mind

Eating well doesn’t mean being perfect. It’s more about paying attention to how your body responds and making small changes you can keep up with. Something as simple as switching white bread for brown, picking fresh fruit instead of sweets, or adding a boiled egg to your breakfast can really add up.

If you’re feeling off, a good first step is to take a closer look at what you’re eating. It’s an easy way to start feeling better.