Healthy behavior leaves you feeling exhausted

A “healthy” lifestyle can be rewarding, but it can also be downright stressful. In order to live life optimally, it is important that we find the right balance, give ourselves breaks and don’t obsessively hold on to things.

Even though you may be doing everything right – exercising regularly, sleeping eight hours every night, eating lots of vegetables and healthy foods – you may still be exhausted. CNN has compiled a list of healthy behaviors that can be stressful and even harmful if approached too harshly. Here are the 5 most important ones:

Reduce all carbohydrates

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Carbohydrates are often associated with high calories and are usually the first thing you eat when dieting. While some carbohydrates are high in calories, they are also helpful in keeping you hydrated and energized. “For every gram of carbohydrate stored in the body, about 2 to 3 grams of water is retained,” explains nutritionist Elizabeth DeRobertis. Water retention is crucial to staying energized. That’s why it’s important to continue consuming fiber-rich carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables and grains. And in case you didn’t know, refined carbohydrates like pizza crust, white bread, and chips are not the same as oatmeal, quinoa, and whole-wheat pasta. One carbohydrate deprives you of energy while the other nourishes you. Can you guess which is which?

Eating too many carbohydrates

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The opposite is also true: Eating too many carbohydrates can make people feel lethargic and sluggish, even when it comes to the healthy option. These elements tend to convert into sugar after digestion, causing our body to produce more insulin, causing you to feel tired even after eating a mix of fruits, beans and other healthy carbohydrates.

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Eating is a trial and error process; When you eat new foods or new combinations, pay attention to how you feel afterward.

Eating an incomplete diet

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Whether you are vegan, vegetarian or carnivore, you may not be getting enough vitamins and minerals. While many people think that vegans and vegetarians in particular are deficient in iron and B12, the truth is that many people have problems absorbing these nutrients. Since B12 occurs naturally in soil (not meat), it’s a good idea to supplement if you think you may be deficient. Likewise, iron deficiency can still occur in people who eat a diet rich in meat. If you are not feeling well, take a blood test to find out if you are deficient in any vitamins and take supplements if necessary.

Exercising too much

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RELATED: Here’s How Exercising Too Much Can Cause Weight Gain

As you adopt a new lifestyle that includes tons of exercise, you may also feel exhausted for a variety of reasons. Maybe you’re exercising too much or you’re not consuming the necessary amount of calories to support your daily activities. Keep an eye on how you’re feeling and consider cutting back on your workouts or consuming more carbohydrates if you feel like your body isn’t feeling rested and comfortable.

Eliminate too many calories

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Fasting and reducing meals and snacks can impact how you feel on a daily basis. Instead of feeling hungry, you may also experience severe sleepiness and fatigue. If you tend to feel sluggish at a certain time of day, try eating a healthy snack with enough carbohydrates, protein, and fiber and see how you feel afterward. This close monitoring of your body may be stressful at first, but it will help you better understand how your body works and how you can develop a diet and lifestyle that is tailored to you and will give you the results you want. It’s still important to eat when you’re hungry to boost your metabolism.