Migraines are a type of headache that can cause pain so severe it can take you out of commission for hours or even days. Different things can trigger migraines, and what causes a migraine for you, may not cause one for someone else. Foods are a migraine culprit for many people and there are wide varieties of foods that are known headache triggers. Migraines can occur up to 48 hours after eating the food that triggered the headache, so it is a good idea to wait that long before introducing a new potential trigger food into your diet. You may also find it necessary to keep a headache diary to help you identify problematic foods.
Meats and Seafood
Foods that are preserved, cured or processed can initiate a migraine headache. Examples of meats that fall into this category include ham, bacon, hot dogs, sausage, cold cuts, sardines and salted dried fish.
Dairy Products
Dairy products that may be migraine triggers include cultured products, such as sour cream and buttermilk. Also, do not eat aged cheeses, including Gouda, Parmesan, mozzarella, Gruyere, provolone, cheddar Swiss, Romano, Roquefort, Stilton or Brie.
Fruits and Vegetables
Do not eat overripe bananas or avocados, red plums, dried fruits, papayas, passion fruit, figs or raisins. In addition, consume citrus fruits in limited amounts until you have eliminated them as a trigger food. Do not eat vegetables, such as chili peppers, garlic, onions or olives and avoid beans, including fava, garbanzo, Italian, string, navy, pinto pole and lima.
Breads
Avoid all freshly baked yeast breads, suggests Teri Robert of the Help for Headaches & Migraine website. Do not eat coffee cake, doughnuts, sourdough bread or other fresh yeast products, such as pizza and soft pretzels.
Beverages
Beverages that can trigger a migraine include caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea and energy drinks. Do not consume alcoholic beverages, particularly red wine and beer, and avoid all products that contain chocolate.
Miscellaneous
Stay away from products containing any type of yeast or yeast extract, seasoned salt, monosodium glutamate or artificial sweetener. Do not eat any foods containing vinegar, such as pickled foods, and do not eat soy sauce or meat tenderizers. Avoid nuts, nut butters and pumpkin, sunflower and sesame seeds. Also, avoid all foods containing nitrates, nitrites or tyramine and frozen processed foods, such as TV dinners. Inspect food labels carefully as product ingredients can change. Avoid excessive use of vitamin A and niacin, recommends the University of California, Berkeley, and discuss medications that contain caffeine with your doctor to see if there is an alternative.
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