Managing Migraine - Migraine Trigger Foods
Triggeridentification andmanagement is an essential part of Migraine disease management.Migraine triggersare physical things that bring on a Migraine attack when a Migraineur is exposed to them.
There are a wide range of Migraine triggers--some avoidable, others not. Once triggers are identified, it's sometimes possible to reduce the frequency ofMigraine attacksby avoiding those triggers.
One type of trigger that can be identified and avoided is food triggers. Not everyone has food triggers, but it's well worth checking into. Some Migraineurs will identify food triggers fairly easily by noticing that every time they eat something, they have a Migraine. Other Migraineurs employ an elimination diet to investigate food triggers. To do an elimination diet, you eliminate all the potential trigger foods from your diet, then add them back in one at a time, with a week between adding each food.It's important to note that a Migraine can occur up to 48 hours after eating a trigger food. Keeping an accurateMigraine diaryis essential to identifying trigger foods.
Potential trigger foods
Foods that can be Migraine triggers include:
Vegetables
beans
pickles
chili peppers
olives
Fruits
dried fruits
avocados
red plums
bananas
citrus fruits
Breads
any fresh yeast product straight from the oven
yeast breads
pizza
soft pretzels
Meats and seafood
any preserved or processed meat
bacon
hot dogs
sausage
Dairy products
aged cheeses
sour cream
whole milk
Beverages
alcoholic beverages, especially red wine
chocolate beverages
caffeinated beverages
Miscellaneous
anything with MSG
artificial sweeteners
vinegar
It can be frustrating to manage food triggers. It can seem especially difficult to eat in a restaurant or go to parties. When managing food triggers means fewer Migraines, it's well worth it. Most Migraineurs with food triggers find that only a few foods are a problem. If you're going to a party with food, offer to make a dish or two that you know you can safely eat.
To make things easier for you, I've prepared a workbook of sorts with a complete check list of potential trigger foods. You can use this to check off safe foods and foods you find to be a trigger for you.Download the workbook.
