|
Migraine Headaches and Food: The "Trigger Factor"
Up to 20 percent of the 23 million migraine sufferers in this country experience painful,
debilitating migraine headaches that are initiated by eating a particular food or
combination of foods. Migraine headaches can affect anyone, but women are three
times more likely to suffer from them than men. If you think your headaches may be
migraines, you need to see a physician for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. If
your migraine attacks seem to be initiated by food, you need to identify and avoid
foods that "trigger" them by substituting other foods and planning meals carefully.
What is migraine?
Migraine is a disease characterized by severe head pain, plus one or more of a range
of symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light, sound, and
smells. A migraine attack can last from 4 to 72 hours, often causing sufferers to
virtually put their lives on hold.
What may cause a migraine attack?
Though the actual cause of migraines remains uncertain, a wide range of factors can
"trigger" an attack, such as:
- Certain foods
- Hunger or missed meals
- Changes in weather
- Some physical activities
- Emotions and stress
- Medications
- Hormonal changes
What foods can trigger a migraine attack?
The most commonly suspected trigger food categories are listed below. Although the
list contains numerous foods, susceptible individuals may be affected by only one or a
few items. Many common food additives, seasonings, and flavorings are suspected
migraine triggers, but there is no clear scientific evidence yet that food additives initiate
migraines. One suspected trigger, monosodium glutamate (MSG), is a food additive
and flavor enhancer often found in restaurant foods and in many processed foods,
including canned and dry soups, barbecue sauce, and potato chips. Sodium nitrite,
another suspected trigger, is commonly found in hot dogs and luncheon meats.
Seasonings and flavorings, such as soy sauce, marinades, and meat tenderizers, are
also possible migraine triggers.
How do you identify food triggers?
There are a number of ways to determine which foods, if any, trigger your migraine
attacks. Keep a diary of what you eat. Depending on how often your attacks occur,
you may need to keep the diary for a few weeks.
Some Foods and Beverages That May Trigger Migraine Headache:
- Alcohol: Red wine, vermouth, champagne, and beer
- Beverages with caffeine: Coffee, tea, soft drinks
- Dairy products: Aged cheeses, such as cheddar
- Breads: Sourdough, fresh yeast, homemade
- Vegetables and fruits: Some types of beans (broad, Italian, lima, lentil, fava, soy), sauerkraut, peas, avocados, and overripe bananas
- Snacks: Peanuts, peanut butter
- Meats: Salted and cured meats (ham, corned beef, sausage, bacon, lunch meats), dried meats, pickled herring, chicken livers
- Soups: Canned or from mixes
- Desserts: Chocolate-based
If you are diagnosed with migraine and are susceptible to food triggers, a registered
dietitian (RD) can recommend appropriate substitutes for suspected food triggers.
Carefully planned menus may reduce the incidence of migraine attacks. Working with
an RD may help you manage your migraines and continue to enjoy a healthful eating
pattern. However, managing dietary triggers is only one part of overall migraine
management. Remember to first see your physician for proper diagnosis and
treatment.
For more information
The American Dietetic Association/National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics Consumer Nutrition Hotline. For food and nutrition information or for a referral to a registered dietitian in your area,
call 800/366-1655.
Charte Your Route to Relief, A Personal Migraine Management Program
For a free copy of this booklet from Glaxo Wellcome Inc., which includes a
comprehensive headache diary, write to Chart Your Route to Relief, P.O. Box 800,
Wendell, NC 27591, or call 800-377-0302.
Copyright © 1995. ADAF. Reprinted with permission. My ParenTime and the ADA do not endorse the products or services of any company.
|
