Everytime I start eating healthy I get really bad headaches

cschof18
cschof18 Posts: 34 Member
edited November 10 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi there,
Every time I start a new diet/healthy lifestyle, I get really bad migraines that end up making me sick and then discouraging me from wanting to continue. I thought it may be not eating enough food, but I certainly try to fill up as much as possible. Or maybe its withdrawls from bad, fatty foods? Anyone else experience this?
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Replies

  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    What exactly are you considering a diet/healthy lifestyle? Elaborate please.
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    ^Yep, that kind of info would be helpful. When you eat "healthy" do you cut out soda, or any other kind of caffeinated beverages?
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    Maybe it's not so healthy after all.
  • a_candler
    a_candler Posts: 209 Member
    I'd say headaches caused by caffeine withdrawal or from not enough food. Also make sure drinking enough water. Could be from stress from starting new "diet".
  • GiveMeCoffee
    GiveMeCoffee Posts: 3,556 Member
    Since you don't give a lot of info to help. Why not take it as a sign that you might be making some unreasonable and drastic changes that aren't necessary.

    When you could find a reasonable calorie deficit, log your food accurately and honestly, find an activity you enjoy.. and not make yourself so miserable.

  • NoelFigart1
    NoelFigart1 Posts: 1,276 Member
    If "getting healthy" means stopping the coffee or caffeinated soda cold turkey, I can suggest one issue...
  • MegBMin
    MegBMin Posts: 39 Member
    Did you eat a lot of sugar previously? My diet was really really high in sugar and the first week was a little rough for me, but it all evened out.
  • AbsoluteTara79
    AbsoluteTara79 Posts: 266 Member
    This happens to me when I go from eating stupid amounts of desserts/candy to consuming them in moderation. Goes away after a couple days. Hang in there.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    cschof18 wrote: »
    Hi there,
    Every time I start a new diet/healthy lifestyle, I get really bad migraines that end up making me sick and then discouraging me from wanting to continue. I thought it may be not eating enough food, but I certainly try to fill up as much as possible. Or maybe its withdrawls from bad, fatty foods? Anyone else experience this?

    What changes did you make?
    You might just have to let your body adjust for a couple of weeks or reduce amounts of certain foods/drinks more gradually instead of cutting them out all at once.
    If you are starting to eat or drink products with artificial sweeteners that might be a cause of your headaches. I get migraines from those. If I eat or drink things with regular sugar, honey, or naturally low sugar then I feel fine.
  • KJH_71
    KJH_71 Posts: 1
    edited January 2015
    Whenever I cut out processed sugar and caffeine I also get headaches. It usually is worst the first week.
  • Whenever I cut out processed sugar and caffeine I also get headaches. It usually is worst the first week.

    In this case, it's the caffeine that's doing it. Caffeine is addictive and when you cut it out cold turkey, it often leads to headaches.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    cschof18 wrote: »
    Hi there,
    Every time I start a new diet/healthy lifestyle, I get really bad migraines that end up making me sick and then discouraging me from wanting to continue. I thought it may be not eating enough food, but I certainly try to fill up as much as possible. Or maybe its withdrawls from bad, fatty foods? Anyone else experience this?

    Like others have said, the most likely culprits are caffeine withdrawal, eating too little, or getting dehydrated from not drinking enough fluids. Try making the changes one at a time instead of diving headfirst into the deep end.

  • G8rRay
    G8rRay Posts: 89 Member
    Why would one stop ingesting caffeine? That's not healthy!!! Caffeine is the drug of choice for most folks in the USA and elsewhere.
  • 4bettermenow
    4bettermenow Posts: 166 Member
    MegBMin wrote: »
    Did you eat a lot of sugar previously? My diet was really really high in sugar and the first week was a little rough for me, but it all evened out.

    Me too. It took me about 3 weeks to not have headaches and body aches when I cut back on sugar.
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    When I first stopped drinking caffeinated beverages, I had a minor bumper bender in my car because I was distracted and a little woozie. It took a bit (don't remember how long) for the stuff to get out of my system. Now I drink regular coffee about once or twice a week and only in the morning.

    It used to be harder to find decaf or non-caf drinks.

    Adding enough water and not getting too hungry (i.e., not skipping meals, for me) are also key.
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    edited January 2015
    Whenever I cut out processed sugar and caffeine I also get headaches. It usually is worst the first week.

    In this case, it's the caffeine that's doing it. Caffeine is addictive and when you cut it out cold turkey, it often leads to headaches.
    I agree caffeine withdrawal causes headaches, but where did the OP say anything about caffeine? Oh, by "this case" you meant the person cutting out sugar and caffeine?

    I think that going from a high calorie diet to a lower one also causes many people headaches for a few weeks. It goes away. Or there might be food allergies going on.

  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    Whenever I cut out processed sugar and caffeine I also get headaches. It usually is worst the first week.

    In this case, it's the caffeine that's doing it. Caffeine is addictive and when you cut it out cold turkey, it often leads to headaches.
    I agree caffeine withdrawal causes headaches, but where did the OP say anything about caffeine? Oh, by "this case" you meant the person cutting out sugar and caffeine?

    I think that going from a high calorie diet to a lower one also causes many people headaches for a few weeks. It goes away. Or there might be food allergies going on.

    Since the OP didn't give much information, posters are speculating as to possible causes. Caffeine withdrawal is the most common (since so many go "healthy" by cutting out soda which is often caffeinated) so, in the absence of more information, that is a highly likely cause. You are right that a significant drop in calories can cause headaches, as can dehydration if the OP hasn't been drinking enough fluids.

  • Shoechick5
    Shoechick5 Posts: 221 Member
    Probably sugar withdrawal. It will pass
  • SergeantSausage
    SergeantSausage Posts: 1,673 Member
    Any excuse to give up, right?

    Stick with it. They'll go away. I promise.
  • Whenever I cut out processed sugar and caffeine I also get headaches. It usually is worst the first week.

    In this case, it's the caffeine that's doing it. Caffeine is addictive and when you cut it out cold turkey, it often leads to headaches.
    I agree caffeine withdrawal causes headaches, but where did the OP say anything about caffeine? Oh, by "this case" you meant the person cutting out sugar and caffeine?

    I think that going from a high calorie diet to a lower one also causes many people headaches for a few weeks. It goes away. Or there might be food allergies going on.

    By "this case" I was referring to the poster who said they get headaches when they cut out caffeine and "processed sugars." All sugars are processed in some way unless you're getting them straight from the fruit or chewing sugar cane and sugar has not been proven to be physically addictive in the way that caffeine is.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Whenever I cut out processed sugar and caffeine I also get headaches. It usually is worst the first week.

    In this case, it's the caffeine that's doing it. Caffeine is addictive and when you cut it out cold turkey, it often leads to headaches.

    Most likely caffeine.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    G8rRay wrote: »
    Why would one stop ingesting caffeine? That's not healthy!!! Caffeine is the drug of choice for most folks in the USA and elsewhere.

    Just because you do fine with caffeine does not mean everybody does. Seriously, I love caffeine but every time I overload on it I ache, have increased hot flashes (which are already there due to menopause), and my mind races. Do I want those symptoms? No, therefore I tightly moderate my caffeine because I can go hog wild on it.

    I don't believe in cutting out anything unless I don't like it or am intolerant.
  • crown6652
    crown6652 Posts: 3 Member
    If you've cut or significantly reduced caffeine - yes your going thru caffeine withdraw and that will def cause headaches. Test it: Have a coffee and see if your headache goes away.

    However, the main cause for headaches when you change your eating habits to a "cleaner" version are from your body releasing toxins. When you start eating cleaner, your body takes advantage to clean house and get rid of all the crap that was in the foods you were previously eating. Consuming high doses of vit C (in citrus fruits like lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits) will aid the body in getting rid of those toxins. Vit C binds with toxins and issues them out of the body via bowels movements. Hot Lemon water 2-3 times a day will help.

    If you're not having daily bowel movements, that's another prob.
    Hope this was helpful!
  • segacs
    segacs Posts: 4,599 Member
    crown6652 wrote: »
    If you've cut or significantly reduced caffeine - yes your going thru caffeine withdraw and that will def cause headaches. Test it: Have a coffee and see if your headache goes away.

    However, the main cause for headaches when you change your eating habits to a "cleaner" version are from your body releasing toxins. When you start eating cleaner, your body takes advantage to clean house and get rid of all the crap that was in the foods you were previously eating. Consuming high doses of vit C (in citrus fruits like lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits) will aid the body in getting rid of those toxins. Vit C binds with toxins and issues them out of the body via bowels movements. Hot Lemon water 2-3 times a day will help.

    If you're not having daily bowel movements, that's another prob.
    Hope this was helpful!

    No. Just no. None of that.

    You can’t detox your body. It’s a myth.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    cschof18 wrote: »
    Hi there,
    Every time I start a new diet/healthy lifestyle, I get really bad migraines that end up making me sick and then discouraging me from wanting to continue. I thought it may be not eating enough food, but I certainly try to fill up as much as possible. Or maybe its withdrawls from bad, fatty foods? Anyone else experience this?

    Are you eating enough?

    I doubt it's withdrawal from certain foods because none are good or bad in of themselves, they are just food.

    I experienced headaches with caffeine, but they went away after I cut way back.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    crown6652 wrote: »

    However, the main cause for headaches when you change your eating habits to a "cleaner" version are from your body releasing toxins. When you start eating cleaner, your body takes advantage to clean house and get rid of all the crap that was in the foods you were previously eating. Consuming high doses of vit C (in citrus fruits like lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits) will aid the body in getting rid of those toxins. Vit C binds with toxins and issues them out of the body via bowels movements. Hot Lemon water 2-3 times a day will help.

    Hope this was helpful!

    Nope.
  • emdeesea
    emdeesea Posts: 1,823 Member
    Ugh. "Toxins." No. Just for god's sake, no.
  • mumblemagic
    mumblemagic Posts: 1,090 Member
    Go to the doctor.
  • SomeNights246
    SomeNights246 Posts: 807 Member
    Can you give us more information? I know a lot of people have asked, but they do have a point. It could be a number of things.

    Are you eating enough? Restricting calories too heavily can cause things like dizziness and headaches. Even restricting to 1,200 (the amount generally recommended by MFP) can be too much of a restriction for some people. You say you try to fill up as much as possible, though, so that's probably not it.

    Is it stress related? Some headaches can be caused by stress. If you don't want to cut out the foods that you're cutting out, I imagine that could - in theory - cause you some stress. Maybe you could work on trying to eat them in moderation instead, if that's the case.

    It could, also, be related to caffeine if you're cutting out soda (or similar beverages) as another poster suggested.

    There are a lot of possible reasons, it's hard to say without knowing what you're eating and cutting out. I doubt it's withdrawals, unless it is caffeine. I know from experience that withdrawal from caffeine can cause nasty headaches.
  • SomeNights246
    SomeNights246 Posts: 807 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    cschof18 wrote: »
    Hi there,
    Every time I start a new diet/healthy lifestyle, I get really bad migraines that end up making me sick and then discouraging me from wanting to continue. I thought it may be not eating enough food, but I certainly try to fill up as much as possible. Or maybe its withdrawls from bad, fatty foods? Anyone else experience this?

    Are you eating enough?

    I doubt it's withdrawal from certain foods because none are good or bad in of themselves, they are just food.

    I experienced headaches with caffeine, but they went away after I cut way back.

    Exactly why I doubt it, too.
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