Share Your Migraine Recipes for Trigger Free Eating (2024)

FAQs

What is the most common food trigger for migraines? ›

Common migraine trigger foods include chocolate, caffeine, and red wine. Many things can trigger a migraine attack, including what we eat and drink. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, foods that trigger migraine may only do so when combined with other triggers.

In other words there is more to diet and migraine than simply excluding the 5 Cs (cheese, chocolate, coffee, co*ke, and citrus fruits).

Acceptable purchases—Fresh chicken, beef, veal, lamb, fish, turkey or pork. (Some sausage is made without MSG, natural flavor or onion). Be sure the meat is not injected with a tenderizer (like Hatfield's Simple Tender pork products) or with broth (some turkey and chicken).

Alcoholic drinks such as red wine, caffeinated beverages, foods that contain MSG, and sweeteners can all trigger migraine headaches. However, more common food items that have been associated with headaches and migraines often include: Dairy. Eggs.

Nuts — including peanuts and peanut butter — as well as dried fruits naturally contain high levels of a chemical called phenylalanine that can be a migraine trigger, according to the Association of Migraine Disorders. The same is true for dried fruits like raisins, dates, figs, and apricots.

Eat a carbohydrate with a protein or a good fat to stay full longer. Don't eat or drink anything that you KNOW triggers your migraine. Some common food “triggers” are alcohol, aged cheeses, caffeine, and chocolate. Drink water throughout the day instead of sugary drinks like soda or juice.

“Bananas are a great food for quick energy recovery, and they're high in magnesium, which can be helpful when people have headaches,” she says. Bananas are about 74 percent water, so there are hydration benefits as well, Brown says.

While there are many great recipes and diets for migraine, the ingredients in Overnight Oats and Berries have several benefits as an all-star migraine breakfast: Oatmeal has a low glycemic index, which helps keep blood sugar levels stable throughout the day. It is also rich in antioxidants and can reduce inflammation.

What is the root of migraines? ›

Migraines are likely caused by a nerve that inflames the dura, spreading pain and changing local blood flow. There may also be genetic causes of migraine. There are multiple triggers that may lead to a migraine attack.

Magnesium-rich foods: Research on mostly white females shows that magnesium may offer migraine relief. Foods rich in magnesium include dark leafy greens, avocado, and tuna. Omega-3 fatty acids: Research indicates that increasing omega-3 fatty acids may help people with migraine.

The deficiency of many nutrients including magnesium, niacin, riboflavin, cobalamin, coenzymes Q10, carnitine, α-lipoic acid and vitamin D is associated with migraine.

Some common foods to eliminate include highly processed foods, caffeine, chocolate, aged cheeses, processed meats high in nitrates, high-sugar foods, gluten and alcohol. Some people find that moving their diet away from processed foods to whole, made-from-scratch foods has made a big difference in their headaches.

Vitamin deficiency and migraine: What to know. Scientists suggest there are links between deficiencies vitamin D, riboflavin, magnesium and migraine. They also indicate that supplementing these nutrients may ease symptoms.

And even certain fruits, like bananas and avocados, can have high levels of tyramine once they've become overripe. Alcohol. Alcohol increases blood flow to your brain, which can cause a migraine – regardless of the tyramine content mentioned above.

Have a headache after eating? You're not the only one. Your head may hurt after eating because of the changes in blood sugar levels, the effect certain foods and compounds have on your blood vessels, and your specific reaction to these foods due to an allergy, food poisoning, or a health condition.