Headaches when I don't eat

klappeh
klappeh Posts: 49 Member
in Food and Nutrition
So, I used to do intermittent fasting most days (especially during the week at work). It worked for me as I don't like eating breakfast, and when I do eat, I like to eat a lot so I liked to save up my calories for after work snack/dinner.
I was doing this for a while--almost 2 years i would guess.

Then, a couple months ago I started getting major headaches during the day. At first i thought it was caffeine, so I cut that out--still got headaches. Then I thought maybe low blood sugar so I started eating during the day. The headaches stopped. This is fine if it's what I have to do, I just wonder why would the headaches creep up so suddenly? Has anyone else experienced this?
Yes, if it bothers me more I will go to the doctor, I was just curious if anyone had any thoughts/experiences.

Replies

  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    I get head aches sometimes if I get very hungry (even if I don't realize I am hungry).

    Not sure why they'd just suddenly appear for you though.

    But you could easily fix it by going ahead and having a light snack in the morning then. Some celery sticks and carrots perhaps, or maybe a small amount of yogurt.
  • ge105
    ge105 Posts: 268 Member
    Just from personal experience, I never looked it up or anything: I used to get headaches when I skipped meal back when I ate a lot of treats as "meals" such as poptarts or muffins for breakfast. I figure it was just a sugar crash. Eating more often or less sugary food fixed it.
  • maryjay52
    maryjay52 Posts: 557 Member
    i get headaches if i dont eat right or drink enough fluids ..fasting isnt really good for you
  • powaybabe
    powaybabe Posts: 4 Member
    headaches could be from low blood sugar. you want to keep a fairly constant blood sugar level. keep things to snack on, like raw veggies, which are carbs but slower burning than fruit. caffeine should actually HELP your headache.
  • myfitnesspale3
    myfitnesspale3 Posts: 276 Member
    So many things cause headaches that it's often a mystery.

    High carb intake unbalanced with enough fat or protein, can cause a blood sugar crash later.

    LACK of caffeine to an addict, or LOW blood sugar, or HIGH blood sugar in a unknowing diabetic/pre-diabetic, or dehydration, are some common reasons. You might even be grinding your teeth at night.

    But try the easiest things first. Drink water and eat something with protein. Take some aspirin (though that may just be addressing the pain not the problem).
  • klappeh
    klappeh Posts: 49 Member
    thanks everyone for the responses! I will try all of these :) I appreciate the time you've taken to address my question :)
    Happy 4th!
  • 59gi
    59gi Posts: 307 Member
    In your situation, it's based on a plunge of blood sugar. Eat good quality of carbs and spread it out throughout the day. Also make sure you drink at least 6 glasses of water.

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