There are some foods and drinks that headache and migraine sufferers should avoid. However the sad truth for people who suffer from severe headaches is that only around 20% see any benefit to a change in their diet.

There are some foods and drinks that headache and migraine sufferers should avoid. However the sad truth for people who suffer from severe headaches is that only around 20% see any benefit to a change in their diet.

The things that are best left alone are the six C’s:

* Coffee
* Cola
* Chocolate
* Cheese
* Citrus
* Congeners

Other foods that contain headache triggers are:

Nuts and cheeses that have been aged, such as parmesan, cheddar and brie. These all contain Tyramine, an amino acid which can trigger headaches.

Beer and red wine which both contain Histamines.

Hotdogs, luncheon meats, cured ham, sausages and other processed meats which all contain nitrates as preservatives.

Monosodium glutamate, or MSG which is in a lot of Chinese food.

The ‘vaso-active’ amines in some foods are what are believed to bring on a headache or migraine. These amines enlarge the blood vessels, which press on nerves and cause pain.

There is hope for chocolate lovers though. Although chocolate contains amines and was long thought to be a trigger, research is showing that it’s not necessarily so. Although it’s good news, we don’t suggest that you go off and have a massive chocolate binge. As with all of these foods, it really is a case of what works, or doesn’t, for you. Try them out one at a time, so that you know what your own personal triggers are.

So if I avoid these triggers I won’t get headaches?

It’s true that avoiding these will help. But other aspects of your diet can bring on headaches too. Dehydration is probably the most common reason for headaches but happily, the easiest to remedy. That sort of headache can be quickly relieved by just drinking. Children often come home from school complaining of a headache. For a start, they don’t have the time or opportunity to drink as much as they would at home. And it’s common for kids to limit their fluid intake at school as they embarrassed to ask to go to the bathroom. These headaches can easily be avoided by giving your child a small bottle of water to carry around so that they can have a drink between classes.

Whether you’re at home all day or go out to work, it’s often easy to get engrossed in what you’re doing and forget to drink enough. So plan regular breaks, or drink while you work. You’ll be surprised what a difference it makes. Drinking a lot of water is good for your whole body and will help to give you clear, glowing skin. Need any more persuasion?

The afternoon slump

Low blood sugar can also bring on a nasty headache. A lunch of chips, sweet drinks and candy is high in sugar and carbohydrates that are refined and can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar. That is what gives you the high and makes this sort of meal so appealing. But then there is a sudden drop – leaving you feeling dopey and drowsy and often with a headache. Try to choose meals with complex carbohydrates that take longer to digest, like whole meal bread, cheese, turkey and fruit. This kind of diet will help to prevent headaches, give you longer-lasting energy and improve your digestive system. Can’t be bad!

Labels: Diet Food, Headache

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