A lot of people get headache after eating. Many people go through it, but not many know why it happens. The headache you get after eating, also known as a “postprandial headache,” can range from a mild annoyance to a full-blown migraine. It makes you think about what’s going on.
Reasons Headaches After Eating
Everyone has a different reason for getting headaches after eating, and it might even depend on what you ate. There are many things that can give you a headache after you eat, and knowing what they are is the first step toward feeling better.
1.Food Triggers
Some foods are more likely to cause headaches than others. Some of the most common causes are:
Processed meats: Foods like bacon, hot dogs, and deli meats that have nitrates in them. These can make blood vessels wider and give you headaches.
Aged cheeses: These have tyramine, a natural substance that can cause headaches in some people.
Chocolate: A lot of people love it, but it has caffeine and a chemical called phenylethylamine in it, which can give some people headaches.
Caffeinated drinks: Coffee, soda, and energy drinks are some of the most common ones. Caffeine might help with some kinds of headaches, but if you don’t get enough caffeine, get too much, or get it at the wrong times, you could get withdrawal headaches.
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): MSG is in a lot of Asian foods, as well as snacks and processed foods. Some people still get headaches from eating MSG, and they may call it “Chinese restaurant syndrome.”
Alcohol: Drinking wine, beer, or hard alcohol in particular can also give you headaches. Alcohol is a dehydrating substance that usually has sugar in it and changes how your blood vessels work.
Sugary foods: Eating too much sugar at once can cause your blood sugar levels to rise and fall, which can also give you headaches.
2.Levels of Blood Sugar
One of the most common reasons for having a headache and eating is that your blood sugar level drops. After you eat, the food you eat turns into glucose, which is a quick source of energy. The amount of sugars or carbs in the food can make blood sugar go up or down. Headaches can also happen when your blood sugar goes up and down, whether or not you have another condition like diabetes or insulin resistance. But if you don’t eat enough, your blood sugar levels may drop too low, which can give you hunger headaches that feel a lot like a headache after eating. The best way to avoid these changes is to eat a balanced diet.
3.Not drinking enough water
Not drinking enough water can sometimes make you feel bad. People often get headaches because they don’t drink enough water. You are more likely to get a headache after eating if you don’t drink enough water or if you drink caffeinated or alcoholic drinks that make you dehydrated. Drinking water throughout the day, especially with meals, is a good way to stay hydrated.
4.Allergies or Sensitivities to Food
Food allergies and intolerances can cause a lot of different symptoms, such as headaches. If you have headaches shortly after consuming certain foods, you may be allergic or intolerant to those foods; for instance, lactose intolerant. Common allergens like dairy, gluten, and others can cause pain to radiate from your head making you feel miserable too.
5.Troubles with digestion
If you have stomach issues like acid reflux, poor digestion, or bloating, you may experience headaches after eating. Once in a while, stomach pain can switch to a headache. Certain digestive issues like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) can cause headaches. These issues can also make you feel sick and cause stomach pain after eating.
6.Things that can trigger migraines
For someone who suffers from frequent migraines, eating some foods or a shift in one’s eating pattern can certainly trigger migraines. It’s not entirely unheard of for migraines to occur or worsen from eating; some potential triggers could include the following:
- Not eating enough
- Eating limited or excessive amounts in general
- Consuming meals with very strong odors
- Getting too much or not enough caffeine
If you already have migraines, it is useful to track your eating habits, as well as other triggers, that could lead to or aggravate your headaches after eating.
7. Hormonal changes
Hormonal fluctuations may also induce postprandial headaches. Changes in estrogen levels can cause headaches in women, especially during their periods or when they are pregnant. Sometimes just dealing with food and hunger can give you a headache.
8. High Blood Pressure
Having a headache after eating can sometimes mean you have high blood pressure, but this is not very common. Eating a lot of salty foods, like chips or mostly processed foods, can raise your blood pressure, which can then give you a headache. If you often get headaches after eating, you should probably check your blood pressure and eat less salt.
9.Eating too much
Eating too much food, especially fatty or rich foods, can give you a headache at times. This could be because your body is working harder to digest the food, which means that blood is going to your stomach instead of other parts of your body. This can make you feel bad. You can eat smaller meals more often to stop this from happening.
When Should You Be Concerned?
Most headaches that happen after eating are mild and can be handled, but there are times when you should see a doctor. You should see a doctor right away if you have any of the following:
Severe or long-lasting headaches that don’t go away with over-the-counter painkillers. Headaches that come with neurological symptoms like changes in vision, dizziness, or weakness.
Sudden, severe pain that feels different from your usual headaches. Nausea or vomiting that seems unrelated to anything you ate. For example, if you frequently have headaches after eating, a food allergy or intolerance could be the underlying problem.
What You Can Do To Prevent Headaches After Meals
Now that you know of some reasons you may experience headache after eating, let us talk about some ways for treatments after meals.
1.Consume smaller meals more frequently
Rather than having a large meal that could put too much of a strain on your digestive system or result in blood sugar peaks and valleys, try eating more small meals. This will stabilize your blood sugar level and reduce any post-meal headache burden
2.Stay Away from Trigger Foods
If you know that certain foods will make you sick, try to stay away from them as much as you can. You can keep a food diary to write down what you eat and any symptoms you have. This will help you see patterns and get rid of foods that make your diet hard to follow.
3.Make sure you drink enough water
Many people get headaches when they don’t drink enough water. Drink a lot of water before, during, and after meals. You might also want to drink less coffee and soda, which can make you dehydrated.
4.Watch your portions
Eating too much can give you a headache, so practice portion control. You won’t feel bad later if you eat slowly and stop when you’re full.
5.Make sure your meals are balanced
Eat meals that have a variety of proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. This will help keep your blood sugar levels steady and give you energy that lasts. Don’t eat meals that are high in sugar or refined carbs.
6.Manage Stress
It is important to find ways to cope with stress before and after meals, because it can exacerbate headaches. Take a couple of minutes to unwind before you eat. You can practice deep breathing or mindfulness.
7. Consult with Your Doctor
If your headache does not go away, or worsens, or is associated with other concerning symptoms, do not hesitate to call your doctor. They can help determine whether there are any problems responsible for your symptoms and suggest the appropriate treatment.
Conclusion
Headaches from eating may be annoying, but they often are simple to be managed when you know how! You can make these headaches less frequent and less severe by finding out what causes them and changing your diet and lifestyle. If your head hurts all the time, you should see a doctor to make sure nothing else is wrong.
Now you know what might be causing your headache after eating and what to do about it.
