5 Foods to Avoid in Preventing Migraines

by | Feb 19, 2016 | Stress

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Five Foods to Avoid in Preventing Migraines. As I am sure you are aware, the causes of migraines are varied. You should also be aware that some headaches (which may even trigger a migraine) can be a symptom of an underlying problem, such as vision problems, sinusitis or high blood pressure, and as such, you should consider seeking the help of a healthcare provider if you are concerned. Of course, migraines can be caused by our daily habits such as our diet. If you suffer from migraines or frequent headaches, watching your diet is essential because many foods greatly increase the chances of getting a headache or migraine. Pay attention to what you are eating and which foods trigger a migraine and moderate your intake of those foods.

To help you with migraine prevention, here are some of the foods that can trigger a migraine.

Aged cheeses

Aged cheese has a very high content of tyramine  — an amino acid which causes the dilation of blood vessels. Aged cheeses are one of the main foods that trigger migraines. This is certainly the case in my own life, and I have unfortunately had to learn not to eat cheese, even though I love it! If you find that aged cheese is a trigger for your migraines, you should limit your intake, especially if there are period where you are more likely to suffer from migraines, such as during times of high stress, insomnia or during your menstrual cycle, in the case of women.Cheeses such as cheddar, manchego, blue, gorgonzola or parmesan are especially high in tyramine and it is better to avoid them altogether.

Alcohol

Alcohol is known to be a vasodilator, but alcohol such as wine, beer or vermouth also contain tyramine which, as we discussed in the aged cheese section, can trigger migraines. If you suffer from any type of aura or can tell when you are in the pre-migraine phase, alcoholic beverages should be avoided. Not only does the alcohol itself trigger a migraine, but it also causes dehydration, which is another migraine trigger and will also increase the pain of the migraine if you are dehydrated.

Caffeinated foods

As well as being a powerful stimulant, caffeine, like alcohol, is also a vasodilator. If you are prone to migraines, products containing this ingredient will only worsen the pain.

Because of this it is recommended that you moderate your intake of:

  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Caffeinated sodas
  • Chocolate
  • Energy drinks
With that said, while most of the time these products should be avoided, I must also make a note here that if you have a migraine, very often one cup of coffee or caffeinated beverage can help relieve the pain of migraine.

Soy products

Soybeans and products derived from the soy plant are also included in the list of foods that cause headaches and migraines due to the nitrite found in soy — another substance that promotes pain. If you are susceptible to soy and have found it to be a trigger for you, I would recommend limiting your use of it. If you have not even thought of soy as being a trigger, take note of what happens when you eat soy and see if it triggers a migraine for you.  Soy products would include the following:

  • Soy sauce
  • Soy beverages
  • Tofu
  • Dried or fresh soybeans

Sausage

Sausage has a high content of preservatives and salt, and just as with cheeses, sausage is not recommended when suffering from migraines and headaches. As with the other foods above, it is best to limit your intake.

  • Tip:  Other foods which can trigger a migraine

    As well as those foods mentioned above, there are others which can trigger a migraine because of the amount of additives that these foods contain. These are just a few additional foods:

    • Canned food and pickles
    • Ready meals
    • Condiments and canned soups
    • Sweeteners

    For more information on migraine triggers and some natural solutions, ==>CLICK HERE<==.