Many people find that certain foods and drinks trigger their migraines. It can be hard to know which ones, so try eliminating them from your diet one at a time.
Avoid nitrates (such as those found in hot dogs, bacon, deli meat and pepperoni) and sulfates (used as preservatives in pickled, fermented or smoked foods). Caffeine may be both a trigger and relief for some migraine sufferers.
1. Sugar
Migraines are often associated with low blood sugar, and excessive consumption of simple sugars can increase your risk of headache. This is because our bodies turn simple carbohydrates into glucose for energy, which can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar that triggers migraine pain.
Avoid consuming beverages high in sugar, such as candy, soda, and processed juices. Instead, choose drinks that are nourishing and low in added sugars, such as water, unsweetened tea or coffee, green or black tea, and milk. Snack on fruits and vegetables throughout the day to keep your blood sugar stable.
Some migraine sufferers find that consuming aspartame, an artificial sweetener found in diet sodas and sugar-free products, increases their headache risk. In addition, cured and processed meats such as hot dogs, bacon, and deli meats often contain nitrates and nitrites, known migraine triggers. These additives are used to preserve color and flavor and can dilate blood vessels, leading to a migraine attack.
2. Alcohol
The ethanol in alcohol converts to another chemical that triggers migraine headaches: histamine. In addition, drinking too much alcohol can cause dehydration. The combination sets the stage for a migraine attack, which can happen immediately or hours later.
Some migraine sufferers find that alcohol is a consistent trigger, while others experience it infrequently or not at all. The best way to figure out if alcohol is a trigger is to keep track of your symptoms in a migraine diary. This can help you identify patterns and make better choices about food and drink.
Stick to one or two drinks per day, and limit how many drinks you consume in a single sitting. A 12-ounce glass of wine or beer and a 1.5-fluid-ounce shot count as one drink. Also, be sure to have hangover hats accessible anytime and eat regularly instead of skipping meals. Eating small, regular meals helps to prevent hunger-related headaches and keep blood sugar stable.
3. Cured Meats
Many migraine sufferers are aware that alcohol can be a trigger, but many may not realize certain types of cured meats, like pancetta and prosciutto, are also a headache-inducing culprit. This is because they contain tyramine, a compound that stimulates the production of histamine, which leads to the onset of migraines.
Cured meats are also often high in sodium, making them another food that should be avoided to reduce your risk of migraines. The American Heart Association recommends that adults consume less than 2300 mg of sodium daily (that’s equal to about a 3-ounce serving of cured meat).
One more thing to keep in mind is that some deli and prepared foods, such as marinades, salad dressings, packaged noodles, chips, and seasonings, contain MSG, which is also known to be a migraine trigger for many people. MSG can be found under a variety of names, including natural flavoring, hydrolyzed plant protein, and komu extract.
4. Aged Cheeses
For migraine sufferers, cheese can be a big trigger. Aged cheeses like brie, gruyere, cheddar, gorgonzola and parmesan can contain tyramine, which can cause blood vessels to constrict and expand, triggering an attack. Other foods that can contain high levels of tyramine include olives, pickles and processed meats like sausage or hot dogs.
The good news is that not everyone will get triggered by these food items. But if you think certain foods are a problem for you, try keeping a headache diary and eliminating them one at a time to see if your symptoms improve.
Other migraine triggers to watch out for are monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is used in many fast-food products as a flavor enhancer. It goes by a variety of names including natural flavoring, hydrolyzed plant protein, komu extract and more. Also, avoid any food item that contains peanuts or nut butters.
5. Frozen Foods
While a well-balanced diet is key to alleviating most migraine symptoms, it’s also important to identify and avoid food triggers. Certain foods can increase sinus pressure, cause bloating or contain chemicals that intensify pain.
Cured meats like bacon, ham and salami are migraine-favorites for many people but they can be high in histamine and nitrates, which can trigger headaches. Avoid deli meats and stick to fresh cuts of meat or poultry.
Avoid aged cheeses like brie, cheddar and Swiss because they can lead to a migraine for some people due to their tyramine content. Instead, opt for whole, 2 percent or skim milk and other dairy options including cottage, farmer and ricotta cheeses. Adding other high-potassium foods, such as bananas and figs, can help balance out histamine in the body. You can also try making a simple banana and berry nice cream as an easy frozen treat.
6. Nitrites
Migraine sufferers should be wary of eating foods that contain nitrates and nitrites. Processed meats such as hot dogs, ham and bacon, as well as canned tuna, salmon and bologna, often contain these preservatives. These additives have been shown to cause migraines in some migraineurs.
These additives are known to increase blood pressure and trigger early changes in the blood vessels that lead to a migraine. They also can lead to heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular disease in susceptible individuals.
Nitrates are found in some cured and fermented foods including sausages, cold cuts, bacon, deli meats, pickles, smoked fish, garlic, sour pickles and pepperoni. Leftovers, especially if refrigerated for long periods of time may also have high levels of tyramine, which is another potential migraine trigger. Avoiding these foods and drinking plenty of water can help prevent migraines. Also, make sure to eat enough starchy foods such as bread, rice and pasta.
7. Sulfates
Migraine is a complex condition, and many factors can trigger it. But, for many people, what they eat is also a factor. Here are a few common migraine food triggers to avoid:
Cured meats (like ham, sausage, and bacon) contain preservatives like nitrates that are known migraine triggers. These additives are used to preserve the color and flavor of these foods, but they can also cause a release of nitric oxide in the blood, which can narrow the arteries and contribute to headaches.
Another common migraine trigger is tyramine, which is found in some aged cheeses (like bleu, cheddar, and brie), certain soy foods, and dried fruits. Some migraine sufferers are sensitive to histamine, as well, which is found in eggs, citrus fruits, and vinegar (both red and white). Keep a food diary to help you find patterns.
8. Nuts
The most common migraine triggers are alcohol, cured meats and aged cheeses, but some experts think that some fruits and vegetables can also cause headaches. Avoid papayas, plums, bananas and figs, as well as avocados. Legumes (lima, garbanzo, navy and pinto beans) are another food to watch out for, because they may contain tyramine, a compound that can interact with neurotransmitters.
Other foods that can be migraine triggers include MSG (monosodium glutamate), a flavor enhancer, found in Chinese food and other packaged and restaurant foods, as well as in some medications and dietary supplements. Aspartame, an artificial sweetener, has also been linked to migraines in some studies.
While eliminating all of these ‘problem foods’ at once isn’t feasible, it is important to cut down on them as much as possible. Most people don’t consume enough omega-3 fatty acids, which is necessary for healthy brain function. A diet high in omega-6 fatty acids can lead to inflammation and increase the risk of developing migraines.
9. Low-Glycemic Foods
Many migraine sufferers find that changing the foods they eat can help reduce their symptoms. While there is no definitive diet that works for everyone, there are several important things to keep in mind.
Start a food diary and write down what you eat, how much sleep you get and when your headaches occur. Then, look for patterns in the data. Migraine triggers can be cumulative and it may take time to figure out whether a particular food is causing your headaches.
The glycemic index is a system for ranking carbohydrates based on how much they boost insulin and blood sugar (also known as blood glucose). Low-glycemic foods, such as vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts, are better than those with a moderate glycemic rating, which include white and sweet potatoes, rye bread, couscous and breakfast cereals like cream of wheat or mini wheats. Try to consume carbohydrates with a low-glycemic index at every meal.