Headaches
 

Since I've been back on the dieting wagon for the last week and a half, I've noticed that every afternoon/evening I seem to be getting head aches. They vary in their pain, from mild to searing, but it's starting to concern me a little. I rarely drank soda before I started dieting, so I don't think it's a caffeine thing. I've checked several calorie calculators, and all of them suggest I should between 1,700 and 1,800 calories a day to lose weight at a healthy rate. I've been sticking to that, so I don't think it's a problem of deprivation. Could it just my body getting used to this new diet? I didn't have this problem last time, so I'm a little stumped.

Has anyone else had this issue, and if they have, what was the underlying problem?

Make sure to keep hydrated; drink plenty of fluids and keep your electrolytes in check (steer clear of carbonated beverages). At least that's what my dietitian tells me. Surprisingly, a brisk walk usually does the trick for me when it comes to curbing afternoon headaches. Hope that helps :)

Have you cut out a lot of sugar? I'm just wondering if it could be part of some kind of withdrawal

What Iconised Ghost said, I get headaches if I cut out a bunch of sugar all at once. It also happens if I do it with carbs.

I can get headaches from just about anything - dehydration, too low of a protien intake, too much sun, too little sleep, stress, etc. check your water intake and protein intake first.

Well, I don't think it's an issue with hydration. I was worried about that at first, so I started upping my water intake a lot, and it hasn't done anything.

I haven't purposely reduced sugar or carbs, but in the process of dieting, I'm sure I have. I don't know, though. I had quite a few carbs yesterday (actually a little too much, really), and I still had a head ache. I'm probably cutting down on the sugar, but I still give myself a little sweet, low calorie reward every day. I think it's a possibility that I'm not getting enough protein, especially early in the day.

I guess I'll try to keep better track of it. Another one is starting to creep in again today. :(

Weight loss aside, have you gotten your eyes checked? Perhaps you're putting too much strain on them without even noticing?

I wear contact lenses, but I'm due for a new eye exam soon. That could be it as well, I suppose, though it's curious that it started right when I started dieting again. As they say, though: Correlation does not imply causation. That's a good suggestion. Thanks.

Could be that you need to check and see that you are having a little protein in each meal. How are your carbs spread out? I know that if I have all my carbs in the morning, by the afternoon i feel pretty rubbish, so its better for me to have them spread out. Checking eyes is also a good idea. Anything else changed? Have you added anything into your diet that you are having every day now that you didnt before?

Also, sometimes our bodies just bork and do things like this, maybe it will pass of its own accord and its not due to your diet :) Caffeine can also sometimes help with a headache, so if you are struggling to find something to take the edge off them, painkillers with caffeine added or taking your panadol with a bit of caffeine might help (just dont wash them down with a hot cup of something caffeinated- the drugs disolve faster in your mouth and it is disgusting. Trust me)