11-migraine-triggering-foods-to-avoidIf you suffer from regular migraines, you may have identified some triggers that set off your pain. Strong perfumes, bright light, and even changes in the weather can all trigger migraines. Did you know your diet can also affect how often you get headaches? If you don’t know which foods you’re sensitive to, you could unwittingly be triggering severe headaches every time you eat them. Here are the top 11 most common migraine-triggering foods to avoid.

Chocolate

This well-known headache trigger could be responsible for as many as one-third of your migraines. Many people feel hungry before a migraine attack, and since candy cravings are likely, it’s no wonder chocolate is a popular but poor choice. Steer clear of chocolate and you just might find your migraines become few and far between.

Cheese

Tyramine, a substance known to trigger migraines, forms naturally during the aging process of high-protein food. This makes tyramine content quite high in many kinds of cheese, especially those that age the longest before you eat them.

Fruits and Vegetables

While they’re generally considered healthy, not all fruits and vegetables are created equal. If you suffer from migraines, avoid papayas, plums, bananas, figs, avocados, and raisins. Then, steer clear of vegetable triggers as well, including snow peas, string beans, garlic, and onions. Some legumes can also trigger migraines, including lima, garbanzo, navy, pinto, and pole beans.

Bread

Yeast bread can be terrible for migraine sufferers. Even pizza can be problematic, primarily because it contains cheese.

Alcohol

Consuming alcohol increases blood flow to the brain, which can cause a migraine. For better health and fewer headaches, avoid wine, beer, whiskey, and champagne in particular.

Caffeine

Some people can’t start the day without a cup of joe, but it could be the reason for your morning headaches. If you simply can’t function without a dose of caffeine, have no more than one or two cups. If you want to cut back, do so gradually since suddenly stopping your caffeine intake could also trigger a migraine.

Tannins in Tea, Cider, and Wine

Tannins are a plant compound known for giving certain drinks a bitter, astringent taste. You can find tannins in apple juice, cider, red wine, and many types of tea. Their dominant nature makes tannins a migraine trigger for many people.

Cold Food

It might start as just an ordinary brain freeze, but eating cold food too quickly can easily turn into a full-fledged migraine. Take your time when eating frozen treats to prevent them from becoming headache triggers.

Nitrite Preservatives

Nitrites are a type of preservative used to improve the flavor of food and help it last longer. The most common foods containing nitrites include sausages, hot dogs, deli meat, pepperoni, and corned beef, along with smoked, pickled, and canned food.

Sulfates in Dried Fruit

Sulfates act as preservatives in many types of dried fruit, including prunes, apricots, figs, and many others. Processed foods can also contain sulfates. Check food labels for sulfates, sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, and sarcosinates.

Food Additives

Several types of additives are known to trigger migraines, including monosodium glutamate (MSG), hydrolyzed or autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), hydrolyzed plant protein (HPP), yeast extract, and sodium caseinate. Avoid food with these ingredients to help you avoid migraines.

Visit Spine Correction Center for Migraine Treatment

Even completely avoiding these common migraine-triggering foods may not eliminate your headaches altogether. For extra help combating your pain, come to Spine Correction Center for migraine treatment. We use a combination of effective, non-invasive treatment methods, including spinal manipulation, disc decompression, and vibrational traction to help tackle the root cause of your migraines.

When you’re ready, please contact Spine Correction Center in Fort Collins at (970) 658-5115 and schedule your free consultation.