Headache when dieting?

ediths6

Hello everyone new member have had 10 kg weight loss on my own and am now a member and going to work on 11 more hopefully. i am curious if anyone else expiriences headaches as part of their dieting ? is this normal or a bad sign?

darrensurrey

Are you drinking enough water?

redskirt

Have you cut down on caffeine. I got terrible headaches when I cut out caffeine

ediths6

omg! that could be it i quit on a terrible coffee habit i got during block exams! thank you

loumaag

omg! that could be it i quit on a terrible coffee habit i got during block exams! thank you

Sounds right. Caffein withdrawal = headaches. I'm not going to encourage you to go against your diet plan, but maybe weaning off it a little slower might work. The headache is your body reacting and let's face it, if it was no big deal, you wouldn't have asked the question. Maybe switch to hot tea for a while.

LittleMissRainey

I have the same problem, though I don't drink caffeine. Stumped as to what it can be! I feel better when I eat more, but that's not really the point of weightloss

LoraF83

I have the same problem, though I don't drink caffeine. Stumped as to what it can be! I feel better when I eat more, but that's not really the point of weightloss

How many calories are you currently eating?

ediths6

thank you everyone for your help, i should have joined a community earlier and not half way through!

I will try drinking more water and adding back in tea. Im happy its not a silly question its been keeping me awake and making me worry. Its nice how helpfull everyone is here. Have a good night everyone! Thank you for your time!

ediths6

I have the same problem, though I don't drink caffeine. Stumped as to what it can be! I feel better when I eat more, but that's not really the point of weightloss

How many calories are you currently eating?

1100- 1300

jcmartin0313

Caffeine Withdrawal
Dehydration
Hypoglycemia
Other metabolic imbalance

Your body will probably adjust, but you might need to taper things a little.

wewon

omg! that could be it i quit on a terrible coffee habit i got during block exams! thank you

A lot of people have withdrawal headaches when they stop drinking coffee.

LoraF83

I have the same problem, though I don't drink caffeine. Stumped as to what it can be! I feel better when I eat more, but that's not really the point of weightloss

How many calories are you currently eating?

1100- 1300

That might not be enough for you......you might be able to eat more and not have to suffer through headaches. You need to check this out:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

When I first started, I thought I had to suffer, starve, and be miserable to lose weight....because, hey, that's what we've always been told right? But that's not necessarily true. I eat 2100 calories a day now, and I lost 2lbs in the past 10 days. It all depends on your BMR, TDEE, and weight loss goals. Please take a look at the link!

Debbe2

Water & hydration is crucial. Good luck!

sjtreely

I agree on the water. Make sure you're getting enough. The whole caffeine adjustment will take time. Life is too short to cut it out - IMO.

Also, make sure you're getting protein throughout the day. That could definitely impact headaches.

bridgeo74

The only time I had headaches were on the days when I ONLY ate fruit..and I was super tired!!
I think it was sugar spike, then a low...watch your blood sugar.

SuffolkSally

Cutting out caffeine can be really hard - I went cold turkey and felt awful! I'd suggest weaning off.

Otherwise, as everyone else is saying - make sure you're eating enough to lose but not severely undercutting what you need, and drink a lot of water.

hazelovesfood

Hello everyone new member have had 10 kg weight loss on my own and am now a member and going to work on 11 more hopefully. i am curious if anyone else expiriences headaches as part of their dieting ? is this normal or a bad sign?

I would say its more likely low carbs, i seem to get them if its too low, not every day but it seems to add up, well i think so.

kmac524

One other thing - Are you getting enough sodium? I know it sounds contradictive, but I was on a diet very low in sodium and suffered from terrible headaches. The DR who had me on the program said to make sure and use sea salt (not a lot) on my meals. Just a thought...

Diyah13

I had a headache for four days after being on the "diet" for three weeks. It was painful. I'm not sure what I can say was the cause. There was an extreme heatwave going through the area, lots of stress at work, and even more stress at home. Then top it off with some major dental work that was unexpected. What helped? The OTC meds took some of the edge off. Major, solid sleep seemed to help. Just for good measure, drink more water. Good luck.

weeblex

Hello everyone new member have had 10 kg weight loss on my own and am now a member and going to work on 11 more hopefully. i am curious if anyone else expiriences headaches as part of their dieting ? is this normal or a bad sign?

I get headaches from dehydration and from low blood sugar.

Yes, the caffeine will do it too. Had a guy in the office cut down from about 4 pots a coffee a day to cold turkey. They actually took him to the hospital after two days and put him on a caffeinated drip. The doctor told him to step it down, don't go cold turkey. It has taken him a few months but now he is down to two cups a day and can still stand up

Don't just watch the calories, keep an eye on the overall nutritional value of what you are eating.

Phaedra2014

I have the same problem, though I don't drink caffeine. Stumped as to what it can be! I feel better when I eat more, but that's not really the point of weightloss

Just a thought - you may be eating new foods and something is causing you to have an allergic reaction.

Rotate your foods and keep a closer look out. I added more citrus fruits and discovered those were giving me major headaches.

emnk5308

It is because you're 'dieting' make it a lifestyle change Make sure you eat enough, and enough good stuff, take vitamins and DRINK WATER. Lots of it Headaches mean your body isn't getting what it needs..

shannonmaria

Just a thought...are you eating more foods that have artificial sweeteners in them like fat free puddings and such? I have a friend who gets horrible headaches if she eats too much of it. Alot of the fat free foods contain it. Could or could not be related. Next time you get one (hopefully they stop) see if you can pin point it. Good luck and feel better!!!

ediths6

I have the same problem, though I don't drink caffeine. Stumped as to what it can be! I feel better when I eat more, but that's not really the point of weightloss

How many calories are you currently eating?

i went to that website and did the calculations my goal weight is way too low! i feel silly and my calories im eating are too low ...i dont think i have a good idea of what is normal/healthy ..
1100- 1300

That might not be enough for you......you might be able to eat more and not have to suffer through headaches. You need to check this out:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

When I first started, I thought I had to suffer, starve, and be miserable to lose weight....because, hey, that's what we've always been told right? But that's not necessarily true. I eat 2100 calories a day now, and I lost 2lbs in the past 10 days. It all depends on your BMR, TDEE, and weight loss goals. Please take a look at the link!

LittleMissRainey

I have the same problem, though I don't drink caffeine. Stumped as to what it can be! I feel better when I eat more, but that's not really the point of weightloss

How many calories are you currently eating?

More than I should be, lol. I average about 1800-2000 a day.

Helloitsdan

Probably dont eat enough.
Open the diary.

Spartan_Maker

It's often a result of losing too much sodium in the urine and sweat during the early stages of diet and exercise. This is especially true if your carbohydrate intake has been dramatically reduced. Many experts in the field recommend a bullion cube in hot water to replace lost sodium.

This may or may not be your situation. I did notice in another post that you mentioned that your boyfriend, at least, was cutting carbs. Low carb diets are especially diuretic, and sodium is excreted, leading to headaches.

In the book, "The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living," by Volek and Phinney, this is discussed in some detail.

Helloitsdan

If you are significantly overweight but dont have any allergies to any types of carbs, dont cut them.
You dont need to!
Just stay at a deficit and youll lose the weight.

Spartan_Maker

If you are significantly overweight but dont have any allergies to any types of carbs, dont cut them.
You dont need to!
Just stay at a deficit and youll lose the weight.

_______________________________________________________

The overwhelming majority of people who are "significantly overweight" are insulin resistant and suffer from metabolic syndrome. Being hypocaloric without cutting carbs won't be effective for reducing body fat, could make matters even worse, and possibly put them in their grave. There is an enormous amount of biochemical, endocrinological, and physiological individuality among people and you'd do well to know this before advising someone not to cut their carbs.

LoveisLove682

I'm having a terrible headache too. It's like in the front of my head.

AnnaMarieDinVa

There are three reasons I get headaches (in general):
1) Caffeine withdrawal. I just drink one cup per day of coffee, nothing else caffeinated, but if I don't get that one cup, I get a horrible headache.
2) Junk food withdrawal -- when I started eating healthier a couple of years ago I was sick for over a week. I am not sure if it was the salt, the sugar, or extra carbs that my body was missing, but it was not fun. Now I eat fairly healthy, I just eat too much sometimes. And when I cut back on the amount I am eating, it is no big deal, because I am not withdrawing from junk food now.
3) Dehydration -- rarely a problem because I drink water all day, but especially in the summer if I don't drink a lot, I get a headache.

Based on what you have said, I am voting for caffeine withdrawal as the cause of your headaches. If I were you, I would tackle one beast at a time. Once you are happy with your weight and eating plan, slowly get off of caffeine. And make sure you get at least 8 cups of water in you each day. I hope this helps! Good luck to you!!