Migraine – Is Your Food a Trigger?

The answer is ‘YES’.

Migraine is a type of headache which may occur without any trigger or due to stress, insufficient sleep or anything that you eat. What works as a migraine trigger may differ from person to person.

What it feels to have migraine?

Symptoms of migraine is moderate to intense throbbing headache on one or both part of the head. It makes it difficult for a person to carry out daily activities. A person with migraine feels sick, is sensitive to light and sound, may sweat, symptoms of aura, may feel very hot or cold.

Migraine trigger foods

Eating a healthy diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins can help you prevent episodes of migraine. However, there is no evidence that proves a particular food causing headache in all migraine sufferers.

There are certain foods that triggers migraine. Given below are some of the foods that can trigger migraine –

Coffee

Excessive consumption of coffee may cause migraine attack. Cutting your coffee intake can help reduce the episodes of migraine.

Citrus fruits

In some people citrus fruits can prevent migraine attack but some people complain of headache after eating citrus fruits.

Yeast

Foods containing yeast such as cakes, breads, donuts, are a common trigger for migraine.

Nuts and some seeds

Certain nuts such as almonds, peanuts contain tyramine. This can trigger migraine attack but not all are sensitive to it.

Monosodium glutamate

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used to enhance flavor, commonly used in soup, canned foods, snacks, etc. MSG is a common trigger in most of the people suffering from migraine.

Chocolate

Chocolates trigger the migraine attacks.

Aged cheese

The nitrates in aged cheese is said to cause migraine headaches.

Spices

Chili peppers is the most common spices known to trigger migraines.

Aspartame

It is an artificial sweetener that is known to cause headache in some people.

Nitrates and nitrites

Avoid foods containing these chemicals. It causes the blood vessels to swell and this may result in throbbing headache.

How to identify which food is a trigger?

Keeping a food journal helps you track which food is causing migraine. Some people have immediate reaction to certain foods while in some headache may occur in 24 hours after eating.

Once you recognize the trigger, eliminate it from your diet and see if you still have migraine.

Conclusion

One never knows when you get the migraine attack. What causes migraine can be figured out and this helps in preventing the episodes. Figuring out the trigger factor can help you cope with migraine and prevent further migraine attacks.