If You Get Headaches…

“Many people who begin the Paleo diet aren’t aware that they’re suffering from allergic symptoms until they notice the symptoms have disappeared. Some symptoms include frequent headaches, stuffy nose, nausea, swelling of the hands and feet, or general bloating and puffiness. These are common immune responses and may go away when you stop exposing your body to the wheat, flours, additives, and other ingredients that could be causing them.”

― John Chatham, Paleo for Beginners: Essentials to Get Started with the Paleo Diet

Now, as you may or may not know, I interchange the words “Paleo” and “Primal” with the ultimate expression (s), “Real Food.”

They all mean the same thing to me, but Real Food is their holy grail. I have no interest in disputing over what comprises Paleo or Primal or even Vegan or Vegetarian. They are all (or should be) based on Real Food.

And for that statement, I will argue. This nutrition, health, Paleo, and Primal stuff must be based on real Food for it to work.

It’s as simple as that.

You can eat raw, cooked, more carbs, fewer carbs, more fat, less fat, more protein, and less protein as long as it is all real freaking Food.

That said, I still want to make a point about the above at the top of this article.

First, headaches are the classic symptom of eating things that are not good for you. I remember growing up thinking that headaches were just “a part of life,” and everyone got them. Nope. That’s not even close to the case.

If you get regular headaches, you probably eat various inflammatory foods, specifically sugar, gluten, and dairy.

Nowadays, when I get a headache, it’s usually after I eat out somewhere less than stellar.

The rare cases when I get an “eye strain” headache from staring at my lovely 17inch Macbook pro screen for too long have a weird knack of also coming around times when I’ve eaten not so stellar.*

The same concept applies to stomach issues, allergies, and so on. Most problems with how your body feels stem from the Food and drink you put in your body.

It’s as simple as that.

-Colin Stuckert

P.S. There are times when I need to explain and explain some more to get my point across, but now is not one of those times. It’s so freaking simple: Eat real Food and feel good.

*When I use the phrase “not so stellar,” which I will often be doing when writing for the Wild Foods blog, you can equate it to eating out.