Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Hi- I've been eating paleo for about a year now.I wasn't shy around fruit, but after last week, I noticed that I was relying too heavily dried fruit as a carbohydrate source. I cut out all fruit five days ago and developed the most bizarre headache three days ago that refuses to go away, no matter how much I sleep. I do crossfit 3-4 times a week, some kickboxing, and always a good three mile walk every two days. I'm beginning to think I depleted all of my glycogen stores and the heavy amounts of fat I've been eating just aren't cutting it. I'm beginning to think this was a bad idea. Thoughts?

flag	asked Feb 26 2012 at 5:14 Bri 151●2

	yeas carbs (sugar) can cause headaches... – JayJay Feb 26 2012 at 6:00
	Option 2...what is your day to day like... chiropractic has helped many structural issues of the cervical spine that contribute to headaches.....conservative estimate says 80% of headaches are structural and alleviated by adjustments and postural/ergonomical advice. – JayJay Feb 26 2012 at 6:07
	"yeas carbs (sugar) can cause headaches.." Jayjay, the op states that he has cut out carbs and is getting headaches. – peter Feb 26 2012 at 6:15
	I have been seeing a chiropractor for shoulder issues but this is more of a lightheaded nausea feeling type headache. Thank you for the response, though, I really appreciate it! – Bri Feb 26 2012 at 6:21
	another guess: carbs bind water -> you've cut out your main source of carbs -> water loss -> if you don't up you water intake -> headaches – Thomy Feb 26 2012 at 8:31

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Eric · Answer 1 · 2012-02-26 05:17:34Z UTC

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You might need to add back in the fruit until your headache goes away and then take a more gradual method to reducing fruit...

answered Feb 26 2012 at 5:17

Eric
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daz · Answer 2 · 2012-02-26 06:33:20Z UTC

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aside from carbs, the headache thing makes me think you may be reacting to changes to your electrolytes/minerals.

try plugging your fruit/dried fruit in to something like nutritiondata.com & seeing how much you may have cut your minerals.
fruit & dried fruit are a good source of a lot of minerals, the nutritiondata database has info on 11 minerals.
& this site has info on 12 minerals, if you want to check out sulphur (sulfur) content as well, http://www.foodstandards.gov.au Shortcut to search function: http://bit.ly/rBSsTX

edited Feb 26 2012 at 6:33

answered Feb 26 2012 at 6:17

daz
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I never thought of that. Perhaps dehydration too. Thank you! – Bri Feb 26 2012 at 6:23

doesn't answer the original question, but this page has a great nutritional database spreadsheet outlining the data for a lot of foods thepaleopremise.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/… – peter Feb 26 2012 at 6:24

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yep, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances etc. for some reason, i always think potassium when headaches are mentioned....not sure why – daz Feb 26 2012 at 6:32

EXACTLY!! I did the same thing a year ago. I felt sluggish/nauseated/not quite full, and got so low I got shaky. If you are constantly thirsty, it is too much fat and protein. When you feel like this, DRINK A COCONUT WATER. See how you feel in, no joke, 5 min. That will be your answer to carbs/electrolytes. I absolutely need a little fruit in my diet when I lift heavy or do high intensity. Your muscles will feel warm/worked out, not heavy, tired, or overly sore. – camila Feb 26 2012 at 13:14

rated_zero_hero · Answer 3 · 2012-02-26 06:16:49Z UTC

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could be a sign of Candida overgrowth. that is what I am facing at the moment. going to start my detox this week. it gets really pissy when I stop feeding it sugar... headaches and the worst sugar cravings ever...

answered Feb 26 2012 at 6:16

rated_zero_hero
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peter · Answer 4 · 2012-02-26 06:17:50Z UTC

Dried fruit can be heavy in preservatives and nitrites (nitrates? i never know which). Maybe this has caused the headaches?

I wouldn't worry too much about the carb intake with the amount of exercising that you are doing. Real fruit is probably better than dried though.

Carbs and headaches.

4 Answers