Do you feel like you're going to collapse at the gym, and think that it's because you haven't had enough sleep? Perhaps you notice red patches on your face, and attribute it to stress? Or, do you always feel "bloated", yet can't seem to figure out why? Well, it could be related to your diet.

Warning Signs of An Unhealthy Diet

Now that bathing suit season is upon us, many of us turn to all kinds of diets. The truth is, some can wreak havoc on our health. Below are some warning signs that your diet may be doing damage to your health.*

Symptom: Feeling weak during a workout
Possible Cause: Too few carbohydrates

Symptom: Difficulty concentrating
Possible Cause: Not enough iron

Symptom: Red, dry, scaly skin on the face
Possible Cause: Diet is too low in fat

Symptom: Bloating and gas
Possible Cause: Too many "sugar-free" foods

Symptom: Brittle hair
Possible Cause: Inadequate intake of protein

Symptom: Insomnia
Possible Cause: Too much caffeine

Symptom: You're not any losing weight
Possible Cause: Too few calories

For a more complete understanding of these signs and symptoms please feel free to read the entire article below.

Symptom: Feeling weak during a workout
Possible Cause: Too few carbohydrates

We may feel tired and not up for a work out-or we may even feel fatigued during a workout. But a lack of energy is not necessarily because you haven't had enough shut eye. It could be because your diet is too low in carbohydrates.

While many diets strictly limit the amount of carbohydrates in the diet in order to lose weight, carbs provide a very important role in our bodies. Carbohydrates help us to maintain normal blood sugar levels, to keep us mentally awake, and they are the primary source of fuel for the muscles. Carbohydrates are actually stored in the muscles in the form of glycogen, and they are called upon during exercise. So not getting enough carbs can get you in trouble during a workout, both physically and mentally.

Symptom: Difficulty concentrating
Possible Cause: Not enough iron

If you are having difficulty concentrating or paying attention it may be because you are not getting enough iron in your diet. Research has shown that adults have lower scores for attention span and also for concentration when iron stores are low. This can occur even if you are marginally deficient; in other words, there are four stages of iron deficiency, but you can experience symptoms before you are clinically anemic.

An iron deficiency can occur if you are restrict your calories too much; it can also occur if you're following a vegetarian diet, since the iron in plant foods is not as well absorbed as the iron in animal foods. If you are only getting iron form plant foods, such as beans, and whole grains, and spinach, be sure to have a source of vitamin C with it—it helps to absorb the iron.

Symptom: Red, dry, scaly skin on the face
Possible Cause: Diet is too low in fat

If you see blotchiness on your face, this is not necessarily due to stress, or to sleeping on a dirty pillow. Dermatitis, which is characterized by red, dry scaly skin on the face, can be caused by a diet that is too low in fat—specifically a deficiency of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid found in vegetable oils like safflower oil or corn oil, also nuts and wheat germ. Fats are good for you and some, like linoleic acid, are particularly important since our bodies can't produce them on their own. So if you are strictly limiting your fat intake, and avoiding all types of oils, you may be at risk. Recent recommendations from the Institute of Medicine include 17 grams per day of linoleic acid for men and 12 grams per day for women. Just one tablespoon of safflower oil, which can be found in salad dressings, will allow you to meet your daily needs.

Symptom: Bloating and gas
Possible Cause: Too many "sugar-free" foods

If we're on a diet and watching our weight, we often choose foods that are labeled "sugar free," such as sugar free gum or candy or even low carb chocolates. While these foods may be a treat, eating too much of them can cause bloating, gas, or even diarrhea. These foods are sweetened with sugar alcohols, which are chemically altered in such a way that they do not get completely digested by the body and therefore contribute fewer calories. But, if you're eating too much of these foods, they can cause discomfort. Maltitol, mannitol and sorbitol are names of these sweeteners, and they are usually included in the ingredient lists of foods.

We're not necessarily talking about extremely large amounts; depending on your tolerance, just one pack of sugar free gum may be enough to cause trouble. So sugar free candies may sound like a dieter's delight but if you enjoy them, be sure to limit your intake.

Symptom: Brittle hair
Possible Cause: Inadequate intake of protein

If your hair that lacks shine, it is not necessarily because you're using a bad shampoo. An inadequate protein intake can cause hair to become brittle hair and possibly shed. Protein is need for the cells that make up hair; also sources of protein contain B12, iron and zinc—all which help to maintain an adequate blood supply to the hair. As a guide, if you weigh about 150 pounds, picture three decks of cards stacked up. This would be the amount of protein your body requires to function properly.

Symptom: Insomnia
Possible Cause: Too much caffeine

Inability to sleep can be due to too much caffeine in the diet. If you're drinking a lot of diet soda because it's a "free food," well, it may just keep you up at night. Now soda is an obvious source of caffeine, but caffeine is also in tea, including iced teas. For example, Crystal Light Tea contains about 12 milligrams of caffeine per serving, or 8 ounces. This may not sound like much, but if you are drinking this throughout the day and with other sources of caffeine, the amounts can add up. Caffeine is also in some non prescription weight loss aids, like Dexatrim®. A daily dose of Dexatrim® can contain 240 milligrams of caffeine—the amount in about three cups of coffee.

Symptom: You're not any losing weight
Possible Cause: Too few calories

Many times we think, "If I eat less, I'll lose more." This is not necessarily the case. When we restrict our calories too much, our bodies go into starvation mode-meaning that it holds onto every bit of food it can get—and resists burning extra fuel, which would cause weight loss. In other words, if your body is not getting the energy it needs from the diet, it's not going to burn energy efficiently, which would help to promote weight loss.