Visual sensations accompanying a migraine headache such as flashes of light, blind spots or zigzagging patterns characterize the condition known as migraine with aura. Speech problems, tingling sensations or numbness can also occur. Certain foods may trigger the condition, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center, although scientific evidence linking specific foods to migraine with aura is lacking. These foods include alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, aged cheese, nuts and peanut butter.
Alcohol
Any list of food triggers for migraine with auras is dependent on subjective reports from migraine sufferers, since scientific evidence linking these triggers to migraines is lacking. Alcohol consumption is the most commonly reported migraine trigger, cited by a third of migraine sufferers, according to Merle L. Diamond, M.D., and Dawn A. Marcus, M.D., of the American Headache Society. Beer and especially red wine appear to be the strongest alcoholic triggers.
Caffeine and Foods Rich in Tannins
Caffeine in coffee, teas, soft drinks, candy and baking chocolate have been reported by migraine sufferers to spark a migraine with aura. Foods rich in tannins are also frequently cited. Tannins are found in coffee, tea, red wine and chocolate, but also in apple juice and blackberries. If you suspect these are your migraine triggers, adjust your diet to avoid these foods.
Tyramine Foods
Foods containing tyramine, an amino acid present in foods such as smoked fish, may trigger migraines, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, although most studies fail to support this. Tyramine is also found in red wine, aged cheese, nuts, beans, yogurt, citrus fruits, bananas, figs and chicken liver. Eliminating these from your diet for long periods of time can adversely affect your health, so always check with your doctor or registered dietitian for which foods you can, or should, eliminate from your diet. Keeping a food diary helps identify your migraine triggers.
Excess Salt
Excessive salt consumption has been reported by migraine sufferers to trigger attacks. Monitor your salt intake and check to see if too much salt in your food triggers a migraine with aura.
Monosodium Glutamate and Nitrates
An important migraine trigger may be foods containing monosodium glutamate, according to the Mayo Clinic. MSG is found in many Chinese restaurant foods and is often included under other names in commercial soups and other processed foods. Meats preserved with nitrates, such as sausages, ham, bacon, salami and hot dogs, have also been known to initiate migraine with aura. Cook your own foods as much as possible, avoid processed meats and check food ingredient labels for MSG.
Nuts and Fermented and Pickled Foods
Nuts, including peanut butter, may be migraine triggers, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Fermented or pickled foods, such as pickled herrings, some cheeses and pickles may also cause migraine with aura. Onions and avocados are other foods reported as triggers. Avoiding foods such as these is not a cure for migraines. Food avoidance should always be coupled with a doctor's care, stress management and regular exercise.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Migraine Headache
- American Headache Society: Controversies in Headache Medicine: Migraine Prevention Diets
- Healthier You: Natural Headache Remedies - Butterbur, Coenzyme Q10
- University of Michigan Health System: Migraine Headache
- MayoClinic.com: Migraine with Aura
