Migraines are a painful and debilitating form of headache that affect millions of people worldwide.
While the cause of migraines is still not fully understood, there are certain foods and drinks that have been known to trigger migraines in some individuals. If you suffer from migraines, it’s important to be aware of these trigger foods and drinks so you can avoid them and reduce your risk of experiencing an attack.
In this article, we’ll take a look at 30 common trigger foods and drinks that you should beware of if you suffer from migraines.
1. Alcohol
Alcohol, especially red wine, has been known to trigger migraines in some individuals. This could be due to the presence of tyramine, histamine, and other chemicals in alcohol that can trigger an attack.
If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid alcohol altogether or limit your intake to small amounts and try to stick to low-histamine varieties.
2. Cheese
Cheese, especially aged cheese, contains high levels of tyramine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals.
If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid cheese altogether or limit your intake to fresh varieties that contain lower levels of tyramine.
3. Chocolate
Chocolate contains caffeine, a known trigger for migraines. In addition, it also contains tyramine, which can further increase the risk of an attack.
If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid chocolate altogether or limit your intake to small amounts of dark chocolate that contains less caffeine and tyramine.
4. Caffeine
Caffeine is a known trigger for migraines. If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid caffeine altogether or limit your intake to small amounts of coffee or tea that contain less caffeine.
Be aware that some over-the-counter pain medications and energy drinks may also contain caffeine, so read the labels carefully.
5. Citrus Fruit
Citrus fruit, such as oranges and grapefruits, contains high levels of histamine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals.
If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid citrus fruit altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
6. Processed Meats
Processed meats, such as hot dogs, bacon, and lunch meats, contain high levels of nitrates and nitrites, which can trigger migraines in some individuals.
If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid processed meats altogether or limit your intake to fresh, unprocessed meats.
7. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
MSG is a food additive that’s commonly used to enhance the flavor of processed foods. It’s also a known trigger for migraines in some individuals.
If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid foods that contain MSG or look for MSG-free alternatives.
8. Soy Products
Soy products, such as tofu and soy sauce, contain high levels of tyramine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals.
If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid soy products altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
9. Yogurt
Yogurt contains high levels of tyramine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals. If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid yogurt altogether or limit your intake to fresh, unflavored varieties.
10. Onions
Onions contain high levels of histamine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals. If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid onions altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
11. Avocado
Avocado contains high levels of tyramine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals. If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid avocado altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
12. Nuts
Nuts, such as almonds and peanuts, contain high levels of tyramine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals.
If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid nuts altogether or limit your intake to small amounts of fresh, unroasted varieties.
13. Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain high levels of histamine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals. If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid tomatoes altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
14. Figs
Figs contain high levels of histamine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals. If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid figs altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
15. Peas
Peas contain high levels of tyramine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals. If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid peas altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
16. Raisins
Raisins contain high levels of tyramine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals. If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid raisins altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
17. Anchovies
Anchovies contain high levels of tyramine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals. If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid anchovies altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
18. Red Plums
Red plums contain high levels of histamine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals. If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid red plums altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
19. Chicken Liver
Chicken liver contains high levels of tyramine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals. If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid chicken liver altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
20. Soy Milk
Soy milk contains high levels of tyramine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals. If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid soy milk altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
21. Eggplant
Eggplant contains high levels of histamine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals. If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid eggplant altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
22. Spinach
Spinach contains high levels of histamine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals. If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid spinach altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
23. Lentils
Lentils contain high levels of tyramine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals. If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid lentils altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
24. Peppers
Peppers, such as bell peppers and chili peppers, contain high levels of histamine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals.
If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid peppers altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
25. Potato Chips
Commercially available potato chips often contain high levels of salt, fat, and artificial preservatives, all of which can trigger migraines in some individuals.
If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid potato chips altogether or limit your intake to small amounts of fresh, homemade chips.
26. Fermented Foods
Fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles, contain high levels of histamine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals.
If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid fermented foods altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
27. Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and sucralose, are often used as a sugar substitute in diet beverages and foods. However, they have been known to trigger migraines in some individuals.
If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid artificial sweeteners altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
28. Shellfish
Shellfish, such as shrimp and crab, contain high levels of histamine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals.
If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid shellfish altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
29. Red Beans
Red beans contain high levels of tyramine, a naturally occurring substance that can trigger migraines in some individuals. If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid red beans altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.
30. Processed Foods
Processed foods, such as fast food, pre-packaged meals, and frozen foods, often contain high levels of salt, fat, and artificial preservatives, all of which can trigger migraines in some individuals.
If you suffer from migraines, it’s best to avoid processed foods altogether or limit your intake to small amounts.