Migraine headache causes are varied and can range from how you handle stress to how you react to the foods you eat. Identifying and eliminating certain trigger foods can bring immediate and long-term relief to those suffering from migraines headaches. Although the list of foods that trigger migraines may be long and include some of your favorite eats, the good news is they can be replaced with a cornucopia of fresh, tasty alternatives.
Vegetables
According to University Health Services at University of California, Berkeley, legumes (beans) such as navy, pinto, broad, fava, lima, pole, garbanzo and Italian green beans trigger migraines. In addition, string beans, sauerkraut, raw garlic, snow peas, pickles, onions and olives are also migraine triggers.
Fruits
University Health Services at University of California also mentions figs, raisins, red plums, overripe bananas, papayas and avocados as foods that can cause migraines.
Breads and Grains
Freshly baked yeast bread, yeast coffee cake, doughnuts and sourdough bread can trigger headaches, as well as breads and crackers containing cheese, including pizza, say the reports from University Health Services.
Alcoholic Beverages
The Mayo Clinic identifies red wine, beer and sherry as three of the top offenders causing migraine headaches.
Caffeine
Other top migraine offenders are coffee, tea, carbonated beverages with caffeine, chocolate and other foods and drinks containing caffeine.
Aged Cheeses
Some of the top foods to be avoided if you suffer from migraine headaches are aged cheeses, explains Relieve-migraine-headache.com. Steer clear of all aged cheeses, most which contain tyramine, a substance formed by the breakdown of protein as foods age. The longer the food has aged, the higher the tyramine content. If you take MAO inhibitors, it is important to remove all foods containing tyramine from your diet. Not only do these foods contribute to migraine headache causes, but also to high blood pressure. The list of cheeses is long, including blue, brick (natural), Gouda, Stilton, Brie types and Camembert types, Gruyere, provolone, Romano, mozzarella, Parmesan, Roquefort, cheddar, Swiss (Emmentaler), Muenster, feta and especially processed cheese slices which are also laden with monosodium glutamate (MSG), a food additive and migraine trigger.
Processed Meats and Fish
University Health Services continues the list of trigger foods for migraines including all aged, canned, cured or processed meat, salami, summer sausage, ham or game, sausage, bologna, pepperoni, pickled herring, salted dried fish, chicken livers, sardines, anchovies, hot dogs, pâté and caviar.
Cold Foods and Drinks
Some people report that cold foods and icy drinks are migraine headache triggers says Relieve-migraine-headache.com. Consume foods and drinks at room temperature or warmed to ward off migraine attacks. It is much more likely that cold foods and drinks will aggravate your migraine condition if you are overheated before eating. Relieve-migraine-headache.com goes on to mention that more than 90 percent of migraine sufferers have found that icy cold foods like ice cream are a problem.
Sweets
Chocolate, cocoa, chocolate ice cream, pudding, cookies and cakes, especially those containing chocolate are offenders, says the Mayo Clinic.
Miscellaneous and Mixed Foods
Yeast and yeast extract, meat tenderizer, macaroni and cheese, beef stroganoff, seasoned salt, mixed dishes, frozen TV dinners, cheese sauce, cheese blintzes and lasagna are on the list of foods causing migraines. Nuts and nut butters, especially peanuts, and known culprits. Pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds may also trigger a migraine headache. Any fermented, pickled or marinated foods, plus most packaged foods, high in chemical additives, are trigger foods. Add any food prepared with meat tenderizer, soy sauce or brewer's yeast to the list also, say the University Health Services.
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
Asian foods, especially Chinese, contain high levels of MSG, a known trigger for migraines. Soy sauce and tamari sauce should also be eliminated from the diet due to a high concentration of MSG, says the Mayo Clinic.
Artificial Sweeteners
All artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, also known as Nutrasweet or Equal, saccarrin and Splenda have been reported as migraine headache triggers, says Relieve-migraine-headache.com.
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