Rid Your Headaches during Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting is not simply addressing your eating patterns. While fasting, you may also experience headaches but it will not always occur.  It is a kind of headache usually diffused or located in the frontal region, and can have mild or moderate pain. 

Expect to have fasting headaches if you have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level). Although, you will still experience fasting headaches even if your blood sugar level is normal.

Thankfully! Here are remedies you can do even if you’re at home. Learn how to relieve your headache through this blog.

How to Relieve Fasting Headaches?

1. Stay hydrated.

Drinking enough water may lower the risk or prevent headaches. It may also reduce the severity of headaches. Staying hydrated is crucial for many reasons. It helps regulate your body temperature, keep organs functioning properly, and it improves your mood while you are fasting. 

When we are hydrated, our brain returns to its usual state, thus relieving the headaches. 

2. Get at least six hours of sleep. 

Six hours of sleep helps to regulate your hormones, which is important for body functions and processes. Insufficient sleep can lead to hormone imbalance which can have negative effects. More sleep, more energy; the better concentration and focus.

3. Eat nutrient-dense foods. 

Eat foods that contain vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and healthy fats. Foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free milk products, seafood, lean meats, eggs, peas, beans, and nuts are nutrient-dense foods.

Avoid consuming processed foods, aged cheeses, smoked or dried fish, cultured dairy products, high sodium foods (like potato chips), and foods high in carbohydrates and sugar. 

There is no specific mealtime that can give you the full energy and full nutrients you need, not even breakfast. The perfect meal of the day is at any time but you should choose nutrient-dense foods. Sometimes, headache relief comes from knowing what not to eat.

When you experience headaches again while doing intermittent fasting, you know now what action to take. Stay hydrated, get at least 6 hours of sleep, and eat nutrient-dense foods. Remember these tips not only to relieve but also to prevent fasting headaches.

If these remedies do not seem effective to you, try to identify what triggers your headache. Then, consult your doctor. 

Again, it is normal to experience headaches while doing intermittent fasting. Develop a healthy lifestyle to manage your headaches.