For as long as I can remember I had frequent (at least one a week) headaches. I kept Excedrin in my drawer at work as a necessity.

Almost 5 months ago I made the change to paleo from SAD.

I haven't had even one little headache since.

Edit: you might wanna find out what's in the BBQ sauce at that Memphis Blues place.

Headaches from meat???? Never heard that one before. I can't actually remember having a headache since going Paleo, over two years now. I often go a week or two eating nothing but meat. If it's often or a concern better see a doctor just to play it safe.

Some people report headaches and migraines from foods high in amines. Smoked or aged meats or wild game, for example. Basically the further the food is from fresh, the more amines it will have. Some meats seem fresh, but they've actually been in those vacu-seal packages for a rather long time. So the amine level of the meat can vary from meal to meal, and the overall amine load of a meal can vary depending on all the courses, beverages, etc.

Here's some info re: amines. http://www.plantpoisonsandrottenstuff.info/content/elimination-diet/amines.aspx

You might want to find out if Memphis Blues is using MSG in any of their spice rubs. Often MSG is included as a flavor enhancer. MSG is a severe excitotoxin linked to migraine headaches. Although I go to great lengths to avoid MSG, I can always tell when I have inadvertently consumed some. Within about 30 minutes after eating, MSG always gives me a migraine.

The only headache Ive gotten while Paleo is when I first got into ketosis. Went away after a day or so. I eat between 1.5-3 pounds of meat a day since meat is my only protein source and I feel pretty darn good. Are you eating meat that was pre-marinated? Maybe something that is being put on the meat is the problem not the meat itself? A bunch of sauces and marinades have wheat in them and some have a lot of preservatives or even high fructose corn syrup.

Are you actively losing weight? I'm finding as I lose weight eating paleo (about 70% fat, 20% protein--I try to get at least 100 g a day, and 10% carbs), I occasionally get headaches as I lose fat and some folks attribute this to toxins from the SAD that get stored in your body fat being released. I know that these mysterious "toxins" get a bad rap in the paleo community as woowoo folks go around "cleansing" (heck I did it too), but it appears there may be some truth to the toxins thing, according to this article: http://www.ironmagazine.com/viewarticle-930.html I don't know if he is a reliable source but he does warn not to fall for "detoxification" schemes. I've only heard anecdotal evidence about fat loss=headaches, but I see and hear it mentioned quite a bit--but I don't know how one would test this scientifically.

Sometimes I get headaches from eating too much protein with not enough fat and water at the same time. Big doses of protein have a diuretic effect. I usually just hammer down some good fats and drink a big dose of water to offset it. Then I usually feel fine a short time later.

It really depends on the kind of headache you have - Migraine, tension, or cluster headache. Headaches can be caused by your blood pressure. You can go to Rite Aid or some other kind of drugstore and ask them where the blood pressure machine is, you can measure for yourself then to see if that's possibly the cause.

Are these ribs you eating smothered in BBQ sauce? (ALA sugar, maltodextrins, msg, yellow #5, etc??) As long as you aren't on grains and sugars, and making sure you are getting enough sleep and trying to not stress yourself out, you should be ok.

Like others mentioned, the only info I've come across regarding paleo & headaches is noted as being part of the adaptation process. How long have you been sugar & grain-free? Are you consuming caffeine at all (since that's the link to my own headaches)? I've never heard of any association between meat eating and headaches, and since I'm a carnivore, I'd be able to tell if there were any truth in the claim for my body! Here's hoping it's just a passing phase for you.

I got headaches in Ketosis, when I stepped out and ramped up my veggies, it alleviated. I eat mostly meat, twice what I used to, but eat enough carbs now to replenish my stores and stay out of ketosis, because the transition is uncomfortable

You ate at a restaraunt, there's no telling WHAT was in the food.

MSG, soy ect.

Never eat at restaraunts, they are in the MSG business and you also risk cross contamination.

Also the restaraunt might be using meat that has "2% solution added" which is MSG.

I've not noticed any headaches with greater meat consumption on my side (nor with the bacon, although I haven't looked to see if nitrates are in it).

I have been full Paleo for about 9 months and recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's. So, in response to that diagnosis, I took out all nightshades, eggs, nuts,..etc. I decided to eat only meat products and one (or two) cooked squashes each day. But, after a couple weeks on that diet, I learned I would be best off to eliminate everything except meat/fat products for a few weeks. Low in behold, I came down with a headache after two days with practically zero carbs and I was quite thirsty. Today, I ate my regular breakfast of meat, still had headache and decided to eat 3.25 oz. beef jerky at (11 am) that contained about 18 grams of sugar and it cut the headache immediately. Do you think I messed up ketosis by eating that amount of sugar? And, will that sugar hinder healing of my gut/Hashimotos? Do you think it is worth while to go about healing with this meat diet/ketosis for a few weeks in a fashion of a couple days all meat and one day with a bit of sugar or one cooked squash? Or, should I deal with the headache in hopes it will go away as by brain/body adjust to all meat/ketosis?

For more Paleo hacks: http://paleohacks.com/questions/5608/headaches-and-paleo-anyone-else-getting-meat-headaches#ixzz1LJaKNZGI

I've also been getting headaches! I went low carb for a week, and started getting afternoon headaches then, switched to the Paleo diet and have been Paleo for about two weeks now. I think the headaches are diminishing in frequency, but I've got one now (right after eating lunch of fish/almond meal/coconut oil/grilled asparagus). They're not migraines, so I'm not associating them with caffeine, and there doesn't seem to be any link between my morning tea and the headaches. I'm hoping it's just sugar withdrawals and they will disappear completely in two more weeks or so, but I'd love to hear any other advice or ideas anyone has!

Thanks!

I am with you on the headaches right after eating (grassfed lean beef and salad with oil and some vinegar) I felt amazing the first week of paleo, and we still did some lean dairy like yogurt and mozzarella. Week two was no great improvement and week three has been TERRIBLE! constant all day headaches, major weakness and feel pretty tired after all meals? Is this ketosis and sugar withdrawal? I really want to stay on the paleo kick but how long will I go on feeling this crappy?