'Tis The Season For A Migraine -- A List Of Food Triggers
For a lot of people, myself included, it's usually a combination of things that trigger a head-splitting migraine: stress, lack of sleep, not enough exercise, too much computer time, and eating the "wrong" foods.
When I stop and look at that laundry list of triggers -- I realize that I can control most, if not all of them.
The biggie for me, this time of year, is food. Nibble here, nibble there -- I have less control over what I eat compared to the rest of the year when I can make sure I bring a sack lunch that has head-friendly food.
Most people don't get a headache from one food—usually it's a combination of lifestyle, or a of lack of sleep, then some foods that make the head want to explode when its combined with other risk factors.
When I have patients with nasty and frequent headaches, I usually tell them to keep a food diary so we can see if there's anything in particular that are troublemakers.
If you're one of these food diary folks, you know the dietary potholes that will make your head pound.
But if you're not a writer, well, that makes the snack and meal table a headache minefield.
So, here's a list of the dozens and dozens of foods that can nail you. Just because a food is on this list doesn't mean eating it means you'll pay a price -- but perhaps some caution is in order.
Remember, everyone and every headache is different. But think before you eat, if you're prone.
Fruits:
Dried fruits
Avocados
Red plums
Citrus fruits
Meats and seafood
Any preserved or processed meat
Bacon
Hot dogs
Shellfish
Sausage
Dairy products
Aged cheeses
Sour cream
Beverages
Alcoholic beverages, especially red wine
Chocolate beverages
Caffeinated beverages -- too much or too little
Miscellaneous
Anything with MSG
Artificial sweeteners
Nuts
(And I'm sure you have your own personalized special list.)
Finally, try to eat on a regular schedule. Skipping or delaying meals can send you sliding down the migraine trail quickly.
