Nutrition, calories, avoiding hypoglycemia and migraines
Former Member
I had a low blood sugar induced migraine last week after a typical master's workout. I've been swimming with the master's (in the fast lane) for almost a year, and I have not had any issues with migraines. I am 32, have had 5 migraines in the past 8 years, and all of them can be associated with exercise, and I am thinking nutrition. I followed up with a doctor's visit, and he said, "yep, this is a classic migraine."
Long story, I am freaked out. I am off to practice in one hour (during my work lunch hour) and I am nervous about having a migraine again. I know it is ridiculous, but I am not sure what caused it, other than perhaps not getting enough food in me prior to the workout. I want to be able to swim open water distance events from 2 miles to 6, but this "set back" has me battling mental games now.
Questions:
How many calories should I be consuming a day if I swim 2-4 times a week, 2,800 - 3,600 yards each time? Sometimes I run on off days.
What should I be eating/drinking prior to my workout to avoid sugar lows and maintain good health?
What should I be eating/drinking during my workout?
What should I be eating/drinking after my workout?
I have less than one hour until I am in the pool today, and I think I will start with chocolate milk and a PB&J sandwich, gatorade during the workout, banana immediately after, then lunch.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Parents
Former Member
I had a low blood sugar induced migraine last week after a typical master's workout. I've been swimming with the master's (in the fast lane) for almost a year, and I have not had any issues with migraines. I am 32, have had 5 migraines in the past 8 years, and all of them can be associated with exercise, and I am thinking nutrition. I followed up with a doctor's visit, and he said, "yep, this is a classic migraine."
My first thought is, are you sure that low blood sugar is the culprit? Five migraines in eight years is approximately one migraine every 18 months. It seems like you'd be having them a lot more frequently (especially during the past year) if low blood sugar caused by exercise was the cause.
That said, if you really think it's blood sugar, then generate some data to back up your theory. That's what I did. Buy a blood glucose monitor (you can get the One-Touch Ultra Mini for $20.00). Then you can start testing your blood sugar before you swim and after you swim. Pretty soon you'll have an idea of how high it needs to be at the beginning of your workout so that you still feel good by the end of the workout.
Oh, and a tip about the blood glucose monitor. The monitors are cheap; the strips are expensive - about $1.00 per strip. I found that my diabetic co-workers were a great source of strips. Their health insurance paid for them and they always seemed to have more strips than they could ever use (or would ever use). They'd give me their strips that were past the expiration date. For my purposes I didn't care if they were that accurate.
Anna Lea
I had a low blood sugar induced migraine last week after a typical master's workout. I've been swimming with the master's (in the fast lane) for almost a year, and I have not had any issues with migraines. I am 32, have had 5 migraines in the past 8 years, and all of them can be associated with exercise, and I am thinking nutrition. I followed up with a doctor's visit, and he said, "yep, this is a classic migraine."
My first thought is, are you sure that low blood sugar is the culprit? Five migraines in eight years is approximately one migraine every 18 months. It seems like you'd be having them a lot more frequently (especially during the past year) if low blood sugar caused by exercise was the cause.
That said, if you really think it's blood sugar, then generate some data to back up your theory. That's what I did. Buy a blood glucose monitor (you can get the One-Touch Ultra Mini for $20.00). Then you can start testing your blood sugar before you swim and after you swim. Pretty soon you'll have an idea of how high it needs to be at the beginning of your workout so that you still feel good by the end of the workout.
Oh, and a tip about the blood glucose monitor. The monitors are cheap; the strips are expensive - about $1.00 per strip. I found that my diabetic co-workers were a great source of strips. Their health insurance paid for them and they always seemed to have more strips than they could ever use (or would ever use). They'd give me their strips that were past the expiration date. For my purposes I didn't care if they were that accurate.
Anna Lea
