FOOD AND MIGRAINES

The holiday season brings friends and families together and is celebrated with food which can trigger HEADACHES and MIGRAINES. Food is a trigger for migraines and avoiding some of the triggers can cut back on the frequency of the attacks.

FOODS THAT CAN TRIGGER MIGRAINES:

• Aged cheese and meats : The nitrites or nitrates in salami or other aged meat can cause headaches/ migraines.  Aged cheese is very salty and can cause dehydration which can trigger a migraine.

• Alcohol:  The effect of dehydration and it’s withdrawal the next day can trigger migraines

• Chocolate: Darker chocolate tends to be more of a trigger than others.

• Monosodium Glutamate or MSG: Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter found in Chinese food, barbecue sauce and some salad dressing that can trigger migraines.

• Spicy foods: Spicy food containing chili peppers which interacts with TRP receptors in the brain can trigger migraines.

• Diet Sodas: They contain aspartame which in turn can trigger migraines.

• Citrus Fruits: There are high-acid foods that can cause gastric irritation which in turn can trigger a migraine.

TIPS:

• Keep hydrated, drink plenty of water.

• Eliminate or minimize food triggers

• Start a headache/migraine journal

• Discuss the triggers with your neurologist or dietitian.