A migraine is a type of headache that can occur with vomiting, light sensitivity, or nausea. You may also experience a throbbing on just one side of the head. Migraines can be quite severe and disrupt your daily activities. Certain foods may trigger or aggravate the onset of a migraine or its symptoms. As food triggers can vary among individuals, it is important to be aware of foods that may trigger your migraines.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate may trigger migraine symptoms in some people. According to the University of Michigan, dark chocolate contains a chemical called tyramine to which some people may be sensitive; however, not all people may have this sensitivity or develop migraines upon eating dark chocolate. You may need to experiment with this food to see if it affects your migraine headaches.
Alcohol
Alcohol may trigger your migraine headaches. According to MedlinePlus, drinking alcohol has been shown to cause or aggravate headaches in some people and you may need to avoid these beverages. In addition, Beer and red wine also appear to be common triggers. Alternatives include healthy fruit juices and clear water.
Other Foods
Several other foods may trigger or aggravate your migraine headaches. According to MayoClinic.com, aged cheeses, caffeine, and aspartame may trigger headaches. In addition, monosodium glutamate, an ingredient found in many Asian dishes may lead to headache symptoms. You may need to limit or avoid these products if you find them worsening your headache frequency or severity of symptoms.
