Is It Aging, Dieting or a Deficiency?

As we get older, we have more aches and pains. Some days we feel like we're in a fog. Some days we feel a little dizzy. All part of aging, right?

When we go on a diet we can have aches and pains. Mentally foggy days, and being so tired! Is it all worth it? Sure, losing weight is good for our health -- so why do we feel like something the cat dragged in?

Have you ever considered you might have a vitamin and/or mineral deficiency? That it's not just getting older or having our body stressed by shedding pounds. Maybe we're just not getting all the right nutrients in all the right amounts.

Here's something to read on the symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency. Go ahead, read it -- I'll wait.

Scary stuff. Can you imagine the heartbreak of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's, an incurable disease, rather than a simple B12 deficiency that can be easily fixed? Or what about being confined to a nursing home because we can't take care of ourselves -- when just a simple supplement could have staved almost everything off.

We're more at risk when aging and when dieting. Put the two together and we can easily fall into a snare without even realizing it.

We're losing weight for our health. Maybe it's time to focus on more than just how many pounds we've lost or how much the tape measure has shrunk. Maybe it's time we really take a look at our overall health.

Warning! Warning! Diet Foods That Aren't Diet

Do you fall into the trap of not paying much attention to the so-called "diet" foods you're eating? Like those 100-calorie snacks that call out to you at the grocery store. And at your desk. While reading. Watching TV. Just have the munchies.

If you're not paying enough attention, those low-calorie foods are adding up to be high-calorie empty calories.

Now if you're just eating one of these a day, it's not too bad. Gives you something sweet to satisfy, while not adding a ton of calories. Fine and dandy.

But are you eating just one a day? Or are you eating more? Maybe 2 or 3...or a whole box?

In general, these foods are higher carb than protein, and largely fat-free. Why is that important to mention?

Because the carbs are highly processed and go into your blood like it was sugar. And because there are little to no proteins or fats to slow down that stream of sugar, your blood sugar can spike...then drop like a rock. Then you need another snack to get you through to the next meal. It can be a vicious cycle.

The 100-calorie snacks aren't evil. But you do need to limit them to once a day, and eat them with something like a wedge of Laughing Cow low-fat cheese -- a protein source that slows down the amount of sugar released in your blood.