Have you ever been a victim of migraines or headaches? If yes, you can attest to how they can be debilitating and significantly impact your daily life. The throbbing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound make it challenging to stay focused and productive. While medication can help manage migraines and headaches, you should also watch what you eat. Certain foods can trigger or worsen headaches and migraines. In this blog post, we discuss foods to avoid when suffering from migraines and headaches.
1) Processed Foods: Processed foods are a no-no if you suffer from migraines or headaches. They contain high levels of sodium, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives that can trigger migraines and headaches. Instead, with migraines and headaches, you should eat foods like fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants and fiber. They also contain vital minerals such as magnesium, which can help manage migraines and headaches.
2) Caffeine: While caffeine may help relieve migraines and headaches in some people, it can trigger them in others. It is advisable to limit or avoid caffeine if you suffer from headaches and migraines. If you must take caffeine, ensure it is in low quantities and avoid taking it in late hours as it can disrupt your sleep pattern. If you need an energy boost, drink decaffeinated tea, juice, or water.
3) Alcohol: Alcohol is a common trigger for migraines and headaches. Especially red wine, beer, and whiskey contain high levels of histamine and tannins that can cause headaches. If you must take alcohol, go for drinks with less tannins like white wine, vodka, or gin. Also, ensure that you drink in moderation to avoid dehydration, which can cause headaches.
4) Aged cheese: Aged cheese, such as blue cheese, cheddar, and parmesan, contains tyramine, a compound that can trigger migraines and headaches in some people. If you want to enjoy cheese, opt for fresh cheese, which contains lower levels of tyramine. Examples are crumbled feta, ricotta, and cottage cheese.
5) Artificial sweeteners: Artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin are prevalent in diet soda and candy. They can trigger headaches and migraines in some people. If you want to enjoy something sweet, opt for natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or fruit.
In conclusion, managing migraines and headaches goes beyond taking medication alone. You should also be mindful of what you eat, as certain foods can trigger or worsen migraines and headaches. Limit or avoid processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, aged cheese, and artificial sweeteners if you suffer from migraines or headaches. Instead, go for whole foods, fresh cheese, and natural sweeteners to promote your overall health and wellbeing. Remember, consulting a registered dietitian and naturopathic doctor can also help you manage this condition and learn about the different supplements that help migraines and headaches, so don’t hesitate to seek professional help.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with a Kitchener dietitian in Waterloo or Kitchener at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
