Eat This, Not That Migraine Edition

Do you notice you get a migraine after eating a slice of pepperoni pizza or having a few too many glasses of red wine? While some foods trigger migraines, others may prevent head pain. Find out what to eat and what not to eat with migraines.

Migraines aren’t just any headache. They cause such intense pain it can put you out of commission for hours or days.

Prevention is part of our migraine treatment plans at Addison Pain + Regenerative Medicine in Addison, Texas. Our pain specialist, Dr. John East, takes a comprehensive approach to managing migraines, offering many solutions that help minimize the number of days you spend locked up in a dark room, nursing your migraine.

Nutrition is part of our migraine treatment plan. In this month’s blog, we talk about the foods you should eat to reduce migraines and foods to avoid.

Migraines and triggers

Migraines are a chronic pain condition causing throbbing head pain that may last a few hours or a few days. Some people only have a handful of migraines a year, while others have several migraines a month.

No matter where you fall on the frequency spectrum, you may do anything possible to avoid this head pain. One of the things we do to help our patients manage their migraines is identifying triggers.

Stress, weather changes, and not getting enough sleep are common migraine triggers. Figuring out what triggers your pain condition can help you avoid the headaches that come with it, or at least take action early to reduce the intensity or length of your pain.

Food is a common migraine trigger.

Eat less of this

Though researchers are still trying to understand the connection between food and migraines, it seems certain types of food or ingredients in food are more likely to trigger migraines. However, not everyone with migraines is sensitive to food.

Foods that may trigger migraines include:

Aged cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, or gouda
Chocolate
Alcohol
Processed and cured meats like hot dogs and pepperoni
Fermented foods like kimchi
Pickled foods

Some people also experience migraines after consuming foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG) or aspartame.

Keeping a headache journal can help you identify any foods that may play a role in the development of your migraines.

Eat more of this

More recently, researchers have identified foods that may reduce the severity and frequency of migraine headaches.

If you have migraines, eating more of the following foods may help:

Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, or mackerel
Walnuts and flaxseeds
Whole grains like brown rice, oats, and quinoa
Fruits and vegetables
Beans, peas, and lentils

The anti-inflammatory properties in the above foods may play a role in helping control migraines. One study found that eating more fatty fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids decreased the frequency and severity of headaches.

Consuming small amounts of caffeine from coffee or tea may also help decrease the severity and length of a migraine. However, caffeine isn’t a cure-all for everyone with migraines. Getting too much caffeine may affect your sleep and worsen your pain.

Nutrition can support your migraine management plan. If you want to learn more about what to eat and not eat with migraines, call our office today at 972-380-0000 or use the book online button to schedule an appointment. We can devise a plan that puts you back in control of your life and health.