Headaches
Headaches and Food
By tracking your headache episodes through your headache diary, you may be able to identify specific foods that trigger your headaches.
Not only can specific foods trigger a headache, but dietary habits can also play a role. Fasting, dehydration or skipping meals may cause headaches in some people.
Headache Triggers
There are many different foods and beverages that can contribute to headache episodes. Some of the most common foods, beverages and additives associated with headaches include:
Aged Cheese
Cheeses may be a trigger in a minority of patients with migraines. For people who take monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) medications, avoidance of all foods containing tyramine —including aged cheeses, red wine, alcoholic beverages and some processed meats — is essential.
Alcohol
Blood flow to your brain increases when you drink alcohol. Some scientists blame the headache on impurities in alcohol or by-products produced as your body metabolizes alcohol. Red wine, beer, whiskey, scotch and champagne are the most commonly identified headache triggers.
Caffeine
Although caffeine can help headache symptoms, for some it can also be a trigger. Caffeine is found in chocolate and cocoa, beverages such as coffee, tea and colas, and can also be found in certain medications.
Cold Foods
This condition is caused by eating cold ice cream quickly or gulping ice drinks. It's more likely to occur if you are over-heated from exercise or hot temperatures. Pain, which is felt in the forehead, peaks 25 to 60 seconds and lasts from several seconds to one or two minutes. About one-third of people experience “head rushes," and more than 90 percent of migraine sufferers report sensitivity to ice cream.
Food Additives
Food preservatives (or additives) contained in certain foods can trigger headaches. Nitrates and nitrites are additives in food items like hot dogs, sausage and other meat products. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer/food additive included in several packaged foods, especially those labeled with “all natural preservatives.” Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners are also linked to headaches in some people.
Other “Problem” Foods
These foods have also been identified as triggers by some headache sufferers:
- Avocados
- Bread
- Buttermilk
- Certain fresh fruits including:
- Citrus Fruits
- Kiwi
- Papaya
- Pineapple
- Raspberries
- Red plums
- Ripe bananas
- Chicken liver and other organ meats
- Crackers
- Cultured dairy products
- Desserts containing cheese
- Dried fruits
- Figs
- Dates
- Raisins
- Fresh baked yeast goods
- Cakes
- Donuts
- Homemade breads
- Rolls
- Most beans including:
- Broad
- Dried beans and peas
- Fava
- Garbanzo
- Italian
- Lentils
- Lima
- Navy
- Pinto
- Pole
- Snow Peas
- Nuts and seeds
- Onions
- Paté
- Peanut butter
- Peanuts
- Pickled foods
- Olives
- Pickles
- Sauerkraut
- Pizza
- Potato chip products
- Smoked or dried fish
- Soups made from meat extracts or bouillon (not homemade broth)
- Sour cream
- Sourdough bread
- Yogurt
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