What are the Food Triggers for Migraine Headaches?

There are quite a few foods that are known to trigger migraines. Learn more about the food triggers for migraine headaches. So you can find yours and avoid at least some of these painful headaches.

Painful Migraine Headaches? Ouch!

Do you suffer from the occasional headache that is very annoying, but you can continue to do things around work or at home?

Do you ever get a headache so severe that you think you are going to vomit, or do you vomit? Your head hurts so badly that you cannot even open your eyes.

Have good news for you if you answered 'yes' to either one of these questions. Did your doctor ever tell you that there could be food triggers for migraines or headaches?

I went to many different doctors for several years before anyone ever mentioned to me that I could be reacting to the foods I was eating. Interestingly enough, food was one of the biggest triggers for my migraines!

The Food Triggers for Migraine

It seemed so simple: remove these foods from my diet for 6 weeks. At the end of the six weeks, add one food per week back to my diet.

I could do that, and I did. When there's a time limit, most of us can do just about anything for 6 weeks. (As a side note, it takes dairy at least 30 days to work out of your system.)

At the end of the six weeks, we discovered that tomatoes were one of the food triggers for migraine, and milk products caused me to hold on to weight; my body system didn't know how to process them.

This was nearly 10 years ago, and for us, the food trigger list is still the same. Over the years, we have learned ways to deal with migraines, which have diminished to an annoying type of headache.

Common Food Triggers for Migraine

1. Dairy products*
2. Chocolates
3. Eggs
4. Meat**
5. Wheat (bread, pasta, etc.)
6. Peanuts and nuts
7. Citrus fruits
8. Apples
9. Bananas
10. Corn
11. Tomatoes
12. Onions

* Includes skim or whole cow's milk, goat's milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.
** Includes chicken, beef, turkey, pork, fish, etc.

Certain beverages and additives are also among the worst triggers, including unnecessary beverages (especially wine), caffeinated drinks (colas, tea, and coffee), monosodium glutamate, aspartame (Nutrasweet), and nitrites (in hotdogs, and lunch meats).

This is only one of the first steps in the process of finding out the cause of the migraines and dealing with them. You can look for the food triggers for migraine in just about any search engine online.

Migraine Headaches

In the meantime, if you want to wean yourself off of the pain medications and try a more natural route for dealing with the pain, you can treat your migraine without using your prescription.

It takes a little longer, and you may need some help the first few times you do it, but by using water to soothe your head, you can get some relief from the pain. It sounds a little strange, right?

Well, we know that there is inflammation in your head, which is causing you to feel so much pain. The idea is to cause inflammation elsewhere to bring the level of the headache down.

You will Need

1.  A pot or bucket of very warm or hot water
2.  Bag of frozen peas or ice pack
3.  Dry towel
4.  Cotton socks, wet with cold water (then put in the refrigerator)
5.  Wool socks
6.  A warm, cozy bed (preferably close by)

At the onset of a migraine, it stops you in your tracks, making you unable to do anything except make a huge effort to get rid of the pain!

You will probably want to go lie down and sleep it off, especially since that’s what you’ve done in the past with pain medicines.

In reality, when you have a migraine or even a tension headache, it doesn’t go away even after 6-7 hours of sleep.

Foot Bath Hydrotherapy

This simple at-home hydrotherapy foot bath offers a soothing alternative to prescription pain medications.

1. Begin by immersing your feet in warm water for around 15 minutes, or until the water cools.
2. Applying an ice pack to your head or neck may be sufficient, sometimes negating the need for further steps.
3. Retrieve the cold, wet socks from the fridge and remove the ice pack.
4. One foot at a time, let it dry, then put on a wool sock, a cold wet sock, and continue with the other foot.
5. Slip into your warm bed for the night, and by morning, the socks should be dry and your headache alleviated.

For ongoing migraine prevention, researching and identifying trigger foods, as mentioned above, is essential for a proactive approach to maintaining long-term well-being.

Conclusion

Identifying potential headache triggers is crucial; consider situations like transitioning from a dark movie theater to bright sunlight or consuming specific foods like ice cream, Chinese, or Mexican cuisine.

Reflect on your daily nutrient intake—deficiencies in vitamins and minerals might contribute to headaches. Assess your supplement regimen to ensure it aligns with your body's needs.

Evaluate your fat consumption; fats play a role in inflammatory processes. Hydration matters too; inadequate water intake may contribute to headaches.

Prioritize self-care; consider if others consistently take precedence. When unwell, opt for rest over commitments. Explore detailed information on my website for comprehensive insights.

Taking charge of prevention is key; while doctors can prescribe pain relief, the decision to lead a healthy life rests with you.

Make informed choices for holistic well-being. Visit my website for in-depth guidance on these aspects. You may also like: Chronic Fatigue: Syndrome, Causes, and Treatment