There are some foods and drinks that people with headaches and migraines should avoid. However, the sad truth for people who suffer from severe headaches is that only around 20% see any benefit from a change in their diet.
The things that are best left alone are the six C’s:
- Coffee
- Salary readjustment
- Chocolate
- Cheese
- Citrus
- Like-minded people
Other foods that contain headache triggers are:
- Nuts and aged cheeses, such as Parmesan, Cheddar, and Brie. All of these contain tyramine, an amino acid that can trigger headaches.
- Beer and red wine that contain histamines.
- Hot dogs, luncheon meats, cured ham, sausage, and other processed meats that contain nitrates as preservatives.
- Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, which is found in a lot of Chinese food.
‘Vasoactive’ amines in some foods are thought to cause headaches or migraines. These amines enlarge the blood vessels, which puts pressure on the nerves and causes pain.
However, there is hope for chocolate lovers. Although chocolate contains amines and was long thought to be a trigger, research shows that this is not necessarily the case. While that’s good news, we don’t suggest you go off and go on a massive chocolate binge. As with all of these foods, it really is a case of what works or doesn’t work for you. Try them one at a time, so you know what your personal triggers are.
So if I avoid these triggers, I won’t get headaches?
It is true that avoiding these will help. But other aspects of your diet can also trigger headaches. Dehydration is probably the most common reason for headaches, but happily the easiest to remedy. That kind of headache can be quickly relieved just by drinking. Children often come home from school complaining of a headache. For starters, they don’t have the time or opportunity to drink as much as they would at home. And it’s common for kids to limit their fluid intake at school because they’re embarrassed to ask permission to go to the bathroom. These headaches can be easily avoided by giving your child a small bottle of water so that he can have a drink between classes.
Whether you’re home all day or heading out to work, it’s often easy to focus on what you’re doing and forget to drink enough. So plan regular breaks or drink while you work. You will be surprised at the difference it makes. Drinking plenty of water is good for the entire body and will help you have clear and glowing skin. Do you need more persuasion?
the afternoon slump
Low blood sugar can also cause a nasty headache. A lunch of chips, sugary drinks, and candy is high in sugar and carbohydrates that are refined and can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar. That’s what gets you high and makes this kind of food so appealing. But then there’s a sudden drop, leaving you feeling groggy and drowsy and often with a headache. Try to choose foods with complex carbohydrates that take longer to digest, such as whole wheat bread, cheese, turkey, and fruit. This type of diet will help prevent headaches, give you longer-lasting energy, and improve your digestive system. It can’t be bad!