7 Signs You Might Not Be Eating Enough Protein

Your body has subtle ways of telling you that you’re not consuming enough protein-rich foods to fuel your muscles and overall health. Here's what to watch for.

sweaty man with hands on knees, looking fatigued
iStock/RoBeDeRo

You constantly feel weak and hungry

One potential sign of protein deficiency could be that you’re feeling low energy. Terry Hope Romero noticed that her vegan diet left her unsatisfied and lacking energy throughout the day. “When you work full time and have a long commute, and you regularly work out or you have a lot of errands to run, it can be easy to fill up on processed carbs,” says Romero. “To feel full every day, especially when you’re working out to build muscle, it’s not really the best approach.” Protein takes longer to digest, which makes you feel full and energized. When Romero started consuming more protein (by adding natural protein powders like hemp protein and brown rice protein to everyday foods, as featured in the recipes of her book Protein Ninja), she started feeling stronger and more satisfied.

Get The Healthy @Reader’s Digest newsletter

woman's hand on her clavicle
iStock/IS_ImageSource

Your muscles look MIA

It takes more than daily gym visits to look and feel strong. You need to eat enough protein to fuel your body’s tissues with the necessary amount of amino acids (protein’s small subparts). If you don’t, your body will break down your muscles to get amino acids from their fibers. One key body part to watch is the clavicle, says Jessica Bihuniak, PhD, RD, assistant professor of nutrition at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. If your collarbone is becoming especially prominent, it could be time to make sure you’re eating enough protein.

woman stepping scale with measuring tape
iStock/baona

You’re struggling to lose weight

A high-protein, low-calorie diet helps people lose weight, maintain muscle mass, improve bone quality and lose “bad” fat, according to 2019 study published in the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. Researchers put 96 older adults into two groups: a low-calorie, low-protein plan, or higher-protein plan. After six months, the people in the higher protein plan lost almost 18 pounds more than the low-protein eaters. They also maintained more muscle mass, had improved bone quality, and lost more “bad” fat (belly fat).

Avoiding protein deficiency is especially important on a diet because it helps ensure that you lose fat, not metabolism-boosting muscle, as you slim down. “High-protein foods take more work to digest, metabolize, and use, which means you burn more calories processing them,” the magazine notes. “They also take longer to leave your stomach, so you feel full sooner and for a longer amount of time.”

8 Clear Signs That You’re On a Bad Diet

man looking at his hairline in a mirror
iStock/Vasileios

You’re losing your hair

Occasionally nutritionists will test the health of their clients’ diets by asking them to run their hands through their hair to see how much falls out with just a gentle tug. Hair is made primarily of protein; your hair needs adequate protein to grow and stay healthy. Protein deficiency can cause hair thinning or loss, according to a 2017 study in the journal Dermatology Practical and Conceptual.  This means you may find yourself shedding more hair than usual. Maintain a healthy mane by eating two to three servings of protein a day, like these high-protein lunches.

8 Things Your Hair Is Desperately Trying to Tell You About Your Health

woman in bed taking medicine
iStock/monkeybusinessimages

You’re always getting sick

Avoiding the sniffles often requires more than just good hygiene and good sleep; good nutrition is key, too. The immune system depends on the right fuel to function correctly. Your body uses amino acids found in dietary proteins to help build immune cells like lymphocytes, according to 2016 research in Food & Function. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cells that help fight germs; if you don’t have enough, the immune system can’t ward off bacteria or viruses as well.

12 Simple Habits to Naturally Boost Your Immune System

feet
iStock/fluxfoto

Your lower legs and feet swell up unexpectedly

If you skimp on protein, you may find yourself retaining fluids around your ankles and feet. Proteins help to hold salt and water in blood vessels; without enough protein, these fluids can seep into surrounding tissues, according to Harvard Health Publishing. The bloated sensation of one’s swollen lower legs and feet—called edema—is uncomfortable. The skin appears stretched or shiny skin, and if you press it for a moment, it will retain a fingerprint.

foot with dry skin on the heel
iStock/yingshi

Your skin gets patchy in places

A protein deficiency can sometimes result in a flaky dermatitis, or irritation of the skin. You’re most likely to notice this on the back of the thighs and on the buttocks, says Dr. Bihuniak. Lack of a certain protein in the skin’s protective barrier can make skin more vulnerable to allergens and other irritants.

For more wellness updates, follow The Healthy on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter. Keep reading:

Sources