Juice and Blood Sugar Spikes
Many changes in the body seem to have the potential to trigger a migraine attack. One of the familiar ones is changes in blood sugar levels.
For example, skipping a meal is notorious for triggering migraine attacks. But you are also asking for trouble if you eat, or drink, the wrong things.
Anything that may spike your sugar levels, causing them to plummet soon after, could cause a problem. When it comes to migraine, children and adolescents seem to be the most susceptible, but really this applies to anyone.
We’re most familiar with the food side. Avoid sugars and white flours, stick to fruits, veggies, grains, nuts – small snacks of proteins and complex carbohydrates (the ones that break down slowly, not suddenly).
 Photo courtesy of ximenacab |
But with all this talk about food, we sometimes forget drinks. You’ve probably heard before that a glass of apple juice has more calories and carbohydrates than a glass of Coke. And natural sugars can cause just as much of a sugar spike as added sugars.
So – what to do? Some ideas for you:
- Try to drink your juices and other drinks with sugar during a meal. Don’t drink them by themselves – at least include a healthy snack.
- Have half a glass of 100% juice, and half a glass of sparkling mineral water. Fun, classy, and only half the sugar!
- As much as possible, eat an actual piece of fruit instead, or a vegetable. Crazy, I know – but they come all packaged up with fibre, and are a lot better for you. Some of the best fruits for a migraineur are apples, cantaloupe, and mango.
Another reason to be cautious about juice: taking your medication with some juices could be dangerous.