People who suffer from migraine headaches know that they can be extremely painful. Not only do you experience one of the worst headaches you have ever felt, but also it comes along with other symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, as well as blurred and distorted vision. If people experience migraines frequently, they will want to know if there is any way that they can avoid them. They should educate themselves on the triggers that can cause migraines. Some of some of those triggers are food and drink. There are many foods and beverages that have properties that can trigger migraines in people. Although, not every single food that has been proven to trigger migraines, so it is important to keep a list of the ones that do trigger, and share them with your doctor. It is prudent to try and avoid these foods and drinks if you know they trigger the onset of a migraine.
1.) Alcohol
You will want to watch your alcohol consumption if you are prone to migraines. Alcohol contains large amounts of tyramine, which is one of the most powerful migraine triggers. Alcohol also causes dehydration, which can also cause a headache that can lead to a migraine. If you are going to drink alcohol, make sure to alternate each drink with water. If you know that alcohol triggers your migraines, it is best to stay away from it altogether.
2.) Hot Dogs
This fun barbecue item, along with deli meats and beef jerky, contains nitrites. Nitrites are a common trigger for migraines. Nitrites are used to add flavor and as a preservative in a lot of different meats, so it is important to avoid them. Look for the nitrite free brand of these products, which are available at most grocery and health food stores.
3.) Dried Fruit
Dried fruit contains a lot of sulphites, which is also a preservative, like nitrites are. Many processed foods and wine also contain sulphites, and they are a huge migraine trigger. Look at the label to see if the food you want contains sulphites. Luckily, many food items that contain sulphites have an organic option that will not contain sulphites. If you want dried fruit, but are prone to migraines, try going for fresh fruit instead. They will not cause a migraine, and they will also be better for you overall.
4.) Caffeine
Although certain amounts of caffeine can help patients, too much caffeine can hinder them. Caffeine does improve the body’s absorption of some pain medications. But too much caffeine can trigger a migraine. You should only have about 200 milligrams a day, which is about the amount in 8 ounces of coffee. If you want to quit caffeine, reduce your amount a little each day, because quitting all at once will cause rebound headaches.
5.) Aspartame
There has been a lot of negative things said about aspartame, and for the most part they are true. Aspartame is a common artificial sweetener, which is a huge migraine trigger. Aspartame is found in a lot of diet foods, like diet soda, low-calorie desires and sugar-free candies. It is best to avoid this product altogether in order to be healthy, and avoid migraines.