Vertigo is the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving. It may derive from problems within your ears or brain. Inner-ear vertigo may be caused by certain antibiotics, head injuries, inflammation, Meniere's disease or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Migraines, multiple sclerosis, aspiration, alcohol and blood vessel diseases may trigger brain-related vertigo. If you're prone to vertigo, certain foods may trigger or worsen your symptoms.
Salty Foods
Sodium-rich foods can offset fluid balance in your body, according to the Vestibular Disorders Association, increasing your risk for vertigo associated with Meniere's disease. Foods particularly high in sodium include table salt, canned beans and soups, homemade and store-bought biscuits, prepared bread crumbs, low-fat cottage cheese and pretzels. Salty meats, such as bacon, salami, smoked sausage and hot dogs, may trigger migraine-related vertigo. To cut back on sodium, choose natural herbs as seasoning instead of table salt and fresh produce, grains and meats more often than processed foods.
Dairy Products
Dairy products are common migraine triggers, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If your are sensitive to the amino acid tyramine, aged cheeses, such as blue, cheddar, brie, mozzarella and Romano cheese, may trigger migraine and related vertigo symptoms. All types of cheese or dairy products cause problems for some migraine sufferers. If this is the case for you, avoid foods and beverages that list milk, milk powder, cream, lactose, caseinate or other dairy-derived foods as ingredients. Calcium and protein-rich alternatives to milk, yogurt and cheese include fortified soy, rice and almond milk, tofu, steamed soybeans, canned salmon and tuna, leafy green vegetables and almonds.
Added Sugars
Added sugars, such as cane sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and honey, add flavor, texture and shelf-life, but few nutrients, to many prepared foods and beverages. The VDA recommends replacing concentrated sugars in your diet with complex carbohydrate sources, such as whole grains, for improved fluid balance. Common sources of added sugars include regular soft drinks, candy, pancake syrup, jellies, jam, frozen desserts, sweetened cereals, milk chocolate and commercially prepared cakes, cookies, pastries and pies.
Certain Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are vital components of most healthy diets. If you struggle with recurrent migraines and vertigo, however, bananas, citrus fruits and avocados may trigger your symptoms. Prunes, sauerkraut and pickles contain rich amounts of tyramine. Canned vegetables are high in sodium. Because hydration is particularly important for vertigo sufferers, according to the VDA, incorporate a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that do not contribute to your symptoms into your diet routinely. Varieties unlikely to cause problems include berries, melon, leafy greens, bell peppers and carrots.
