Sometimes our bodies just start acting up for seemingly no reason, and we're left to puzzle out what's behind the symptoms.
But other times, these annoying and uncomfortable problems are your body's way of talking to you.
A problem with your diet is the most likely cause. Not eating enough, eating the wrong stuff, or not getting enough nutrients can all make your body act strangely.
If you can't put your finger on what's wrong, check if these diet tips have the solution:
1. Nasty mouth health
Did you know an unhealthy diet can cause bad breath?
Under-eating makes your body burn its reserve of fat in a process called ketosis. That gives your breath a "nail polish remover" smell.
Regulating your blood sugar levels with healthy snacks will control the smell.
If you brush or floss regularly, but still notice your gums are bleeding, that could also be because of your diet.
Even with daily brushing, added sugar can wreck your teeth. Cut back on soda and sweets, then see if you notice a difference.
Finally, "puffy" sore gums are often caused by a vitamin C deficiency, so treat them by eating fresh fruit.
2. Bloating and indigestion
Tummy trouble is almost always connected to your eating habits, whether you feel stuffed up or find yourself running to the toilet.
Usually, the prescription is a steady supply of fiber. It helps your body absorb nutrients and keeps your digestive system regular.
Adding more rice, oats, seeds, and vegetables to your meals is simple enough.
But also take care to avoid foods that irritate IBS patients.
If all else fails, check if you have Coeliac disease, and make sure you're drinking plenty of water.
3. Getting sick constantly
Some people insist they're "prone" to getting sick, but a weakened immune system is probably to blame.
Fighting off infections takes nutrients, just like anything else your body does.
In particular, vitamins C, A, E, zinc, selenium, and iron are the most important. So is folic acid, which you'll find in green and yellow bananas.
Eating more vegetables and whole grains will make a difference next flu season.
Antioxidant-rich foods, like blueberries, can also help fend off bugs.
4. Acid reflux and heartburn
There are a lot of natural ways to deal with heartburn symptoms, including losing weight and getting more sleep.
Unfortunately, there are also plenty of foods that can trigger heartburn, from chocolate to citrus fruits, and even some vegetables.
Your best bet to ease heartburn symptoms through a diet change involves your drink of choice.
Coffee and alcohol are both known to weaken the ring of muscles that keeps stomach acid from passing back into the esophagus.
Try cutting back on these while drinking more water to control your heartburn symptoms.
5. Thinning hair
In a lot of ways, your hair is like the canary in the coal mine for your overall health.
It depends on vitamins and nutrients just like your muscles and bones do.
When your body's iron level is low, less oxygen is carried through your bloodstream, causing hair loss and fatigue.
Striped hair is a particularly bad sign of iron deficiency.
Make sure your diet contains enough protein, fatty acids, and vitamins like C, zinc, and iron to keep your body strong.
Get them from green vegetables and legumes like chickpeas.
6. Signs of aging
Have clerks stopped asking to see your ID at the liquor store?
We all get old eventually, but if your skin is showing your age all of a sudden, changes to your diet could be the cause.
Vitamins like A, C, D, and E work with antioxidants to keep your skin looking youthful.
You can back up these vitamins by eating five daily servings of fruit or vegetables.
On the flipside, if you're experience acne flare-ups your diet could also be to blame.
Dairy and sugar-rich foods contain glycemic sugar, which can trigger a breakout.
7. Foggy brain
We all have "off days," but if you're consistently noticing your concentration slipping, you might need more brain food.
What you eat has a noticeable impact on your memory and concentration.
The best nutrients for the brain are Omega-3 fatty acids, which you can easily get from fish or fish oil.
They reduce inflammation that can hurt your memory and concentration.
Eating right also helps to regulate your mood: extra carbs can keep "hangry" feelings of anger, depression and tension at bay.
8. Slow-healing wounds
Patching up scrapes and cuts is not as easy as it looks.
Your body needs the right combination of vitamins and nutrients to get the job done.
Cuts that seem to linger on your skin for a long time are a sure sign that your diet is out of wack.
This puts you at risk of developing an infection, so start to improve your eating habits right away.
Start by adding more calories, protein, and a mix of fresh produce to your meals.
9. Chronic fatigue
It sounds simple: if you feel tired, you probably need a healthy snack.
But it's actually a little more complicated than that.
Carb and protein-heavy diets can leave you feeling exhausted. On the other hand, whole grains and lean protein give you energy.
You could also be eating too much sugar, causing a "crash" when your blood sugar level dips.
The key is to balance your energy and blood sugar levels through the day with healthy snacks.
Try adding a serving of fruit or veggies to fight hunger between meals.
On the flipside, if you eat too close to bedtime you might be giving yourself insomnia.
10. Headaches
One explanation for chronic headaches is that you're dining too often on takeout and frozen meals.
These unhealthy foods are packed with sodium, and even chemicals like MSG that may cause headaches.
Dehydration also causes headaches, so fill your water bottle and eat water-filled veggies and fruit.
Finally, if you suffer from migraines, look out for these foods that are migraine triggers.
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