I hate junk food detox headaches. What causes them?

I've started eating healthy and watching my calories through this site and the Calorie King book. I'm on my second day, and like in times past, the headache is kicking in. I think I'm detoxing from all the chips and Halloween candy I've been eating. I know it will get better in a few days, but it sucks.

ANybody know what's going on in my body that causes these headaches when I go through junk food withdrawel?

I really don't know what causes them but I definitely know what you're talking about. I've found that drinking a LOT of water helps.

If you eat a lot of sugary/starchy/fatty/salty/chemical-laden junk the body will compensate in all kinds of ways to deal with it and be slightly under stress as a result.   Many people spend their whole lives feeling just 'a bit crap' because of their contrinuously poor diet.  Stable but crap.  

I think 'detox' is a bit too fancy a word for what happens when you swap a poor diet for a better one.   Your blood-sugars are trying to get back to normal.  You're probably dehydrated.  Your liver and kidneys will be dealing with the residual rubbish.   Drink plenty of fluids and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.... I'm sure you'll feel OK very quickly.

Well, I had to leave work early, got home, and crashed in bed for 4 hours. I ate very healthy that evening, and drank water, and feel a lot better today. Just read your response now, so I'm glad I did the right thing :)

When will I learn to stick with this type of eating so I stop feeling like stable crap, and then go through this when I try to eat better?

GI Jane, you seem very knowledgable about all of this, and usually answer a lot of my posts (I used to go under mrt2k5 until I lost my password and started over). Are you a nutritionist? I'd like to learn more about nutrition and how my body works, without reading more fad diet books.

I responded via the mailbox but the answer to 'when will I learn?' is 'how long is a piece of string'?   Some people are cured by getting older & wiser, others never learn.

You don't have to stick with healthy eating 24/7.... In fact, I'd suggest that if you don't want to overdo it on the Christmas chocolates and cakes it would help to include the occasional sweet treat into your diet a little more frequently from now on.  Bodies can cope with one or two sweets  or a few crisps without any ill-effects whatsoever.... it's eating them by the bucket because you've deprived yourself for so long that causes the problems.

Hmmmm... I think I needed to hear that. I can see myself going cold turkey on yummy snacks, and then going nuts again with half bags of chips.

Maybe I'll start with one sugary snack and one salty snack a day, and make sure it's only one portion.

Original Post by trustymutsi:

Hmmmm... I think I needed to hear that. I can see myself going cold turkey on yummy snacks, and then going nuts again with half bags of chips.

Maybe I'll start with one sugary snack and one salty snack a day, and make sure it's only one portion.

^^ Yes!  It is a good idea to incorporate the poorer nutrition food in a predominantly healthy diet.  That way your body is used to everything and you won't set yourself up to be tempted to mondo junk eating.  I myself can be happy with one oreo.  I eat a doughnut with my breakfast break every morning shift I work (3 days/week).  My diet is very healthy otherwise (whole grains, lean meats, low fat dairy, tons of veggies and fruits), but my junk quota gets filled so I remain at an ideal weight and very happy. ;) You'll find your balance!

Original Post by gi-jane:

.. it's eating them by the bucket because you've deprived yourself for so long that causes the problems.

 

that is what is happening to me now. totally agree with this. I have deprived myself for 2 years and here is the results : 3 chocolate bars a day + cakes and bread:(

to the OP: don't deprive yourself too much. 

Had a cup of rainbow sherbert with whipped cream last night as a treat, and it didn't kill me! Imagine that! I actually lost 2 more pounds this morning :)

Original Post by trustymutsi:

Had a cup of rainbow sherbert with whipped cream last night as a treat, and it didn't kill me! Imagine that! I actually lost 2 more pounds this morning :)

I know, right?  I think people would be so much better off if they realized gi_jane's mantra of "no bad foods, only bad diets."  Eating lesser nutritious foods every so often in an otherwise healthful diet is hella good, fun and I would wager better in the long run.