Salad isn’t a full meal. Learn how chronic undereating disrupts hormones, metabolism, and fertility, and what to eat instead.
You can’t heal on half a plate. For many women, “healthy eating” has quietly turned into chronic undereating—salads for lunch, coffee for breakfast, and wondering why they feel cold, anxious, and tired.
The Science
Your metabolism is not a calorie calculator—it’s an orchestra of hormones and enzymes that depend on nourishment. When food intake drops below what your body needs, cortisol rises to keep you alert. Over time, elevated cortisol suppresses thyroid function, reduces progesterone, and disrupts ovulation.
Undereating also signals scarcity to your body. When the brain senses low energy availability, it down-regulates non-essential functions like reproduction and slows metabolism to conserve resources. That’s why restrictive eating often leads to fatigue, missed periods, and poor digestion, even when you’re eating “clean.”
The Root Cause
The obsession with being “light” or “clean” has pushed women into chronic stress states disguised as discipline. Many are unknowingly in a caloric deficit for years. Add caffeine (which masks hunger) and intermittent fasting, and the body enters survival mode—burning muscle instead of fat, producing more cortisol, and lowering estrogen.
How to Support It
· Eat enough. Most women need at least 1,800–2,200 calories daily for hormonal balance.
· Prioritize protein. Include 25–30g per meal to stabilize blood sugar and support thyroid function.
· Add carbohydrates. Root vegetables, fruit, and whole grains provide glucose for energy.
· Include healthy fats. Olive oil, ghee, and avocado support hormone synthesis.
· Stop fearing salt. Minerals maintain adrenal health and energy production.
Takeaway
Restriction is not resilience. You don’t need less food—you need better fuel. Balanced nourishment is the foundation of hormone health, not punishment.
Book a free consult to rebuild your metabolism through nourishment, not deprivation.
