Migraines can disrupt your daily activities and quality of life. Although the trigger of a migraine can vary from one person to another and from one day to another, food is often blamed. Take note of the foods you eat and your symptoms can help you identify which foods are problematic for you. Gluten-containing grains can cause migraines in some people, although it not always the case for all migraine sufferers.
Gluten
With the rise of gluten-free products, more people are aware of the potential symptoms caused by this protein that is mostly found in grains. Wheat, barley and rye are the grain containing the problematic gluten, but oat is often considered a gluten-containing grain because it is often contaminated with wheat during its processing. The most commonly consumed gluten-containing foods in the standard American diet include breads, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, pancakes, waffles, muffins, pasta, couscous, cookies, cakes, breaded fish, chicken nuggets, crackers and baked goods. Gluten can cause different symptoms in sensitive people, including gastrointestinal distress, autoimmune diseases as well as migraines.
Gluten Intolerance
Rates of celiac disease are increasing. Only 3 percent of people with celiac disease are aware of their condition. Experts from the Center for Celiac Research estimate that the prevalence of gluten intolerance is even higher than that of celiac disease. Many people are unaware that their health problems are related to gluten. If you frequently experience migraines, gluten may be the culprit, but you will need to experiment with your diet to determine whether it is the case for you. There is no data to indicate how many migraine sufferers can attribute their problems to gluten.
Other Triggers
Some foods, other than gluten-containing foods, have been associated with migraines. For examples, the sulfites found in wines, the amines found in cheese, chocolate, vinegars, bacon, ham and some fruits and vegetables, the salicylates found in some other fruits and vegetables, colorings, preservatives and other food chemicals can be migraine trigger for some people. Meet with a registered dietitian for help undergoing an elimination diet that will help you find out what compounds trigger your migraines.
Elimination Diet
It is safe to eliminate gluten out of your diet for a few weeks to see if your migraines go away. Do your gluten-elimination diet properly and read ingredient lists to prevent introducing gluten in your diet. Base your meals on gluten-free foods. Get your carbohydrates from potatoes, rice, quinoa, fruits, milk and yogurt and complete your meals with nonstarchy vegetables, olive oil, raw nuts, natural nut butters, fish, poultry, chicken and eggs. After three to four weeks, start eating gluten again and notice if the frequency of your migraines changes.
