Eating what you please might not seem problematic until you develop health symptoms, weight changes or chronic diseases that need medical management. Any of these consequences can result from a dietary imbalance. Your body needs the dozens of nutrients contained in a variety of foods. By not following a diet that comes from each of the vegetable, grain, fruit, dairy and protein food groups, your risk for malnutrition, overweight complications, and potentially fatal illness grows.
Low Energy
The foods you eat generate your daily physical energy and mental alertness. Skipping meals or going too long between meals can make you weak or light-headed, as your cells are deprived of the elements they need. If you tend to eat a lot of the same foods, such as cereal and milk, then switch to another limited food source, your energy level might plummet. A break in the supply of nutrients such as iron and B vitamins can cause fatigue and additional symptoms of anemia.
Nutrient Deficiency
Anemia and other signs of nutritional imbalance arise over time. If you don't follow a diet that includes dairy products for their calcium and vitamin D, for instance, you might not see symptoms until irreversible health problems such as osteoporosis or cancer develop. The USDA reports that while dietary fiber is not an essential nutrient, a low intake of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables might carry increased risk for heart disease and cancer. Without a basic diet plan, you might not get enough of the types of carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and protein that encourage long-term health.
Weight Gain
The lack of a diet plan might instead cause you to get too much of certain nutrients that make you gain weight and otherwise adversely affect your health. Foods with a lot of fat and sugar, in particular, have relatively higher calories and less beneficial fiber, a nutrient that satisfies your appetite to help control your weight. Becoming overweight is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, an incurable medical condition that can have serious complications.
Premature Death
Overweight conditions alone raise the likelihood of premature death, according to the Office of the Surgeon General. Poor dietary habits that include a lot of fast foods and otherwise fatty and salty foods contribute to weight problems, and to high blood pressure and clogged arteries, raising your risk for heart attacks and strokes. Contracting diabetes or cancer might result in complications that include nerve damage, hemorrhage, organ failure and death.
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