Migraine – Foods to Eat and Avoid
If you are a migraine patient, you will know that the headaches are easily triggered and are painful. Some people get migraines due to stress and hormonal changes. But foods can also play a major role in triggering or preventing migraines. Knowing about the foods will help you to manage migraine attacks. So avoid foods that can worsen the headache and consume those that help manage the condition.
You can know the best foods to eat for migraines and the foods to avoid in the list below.
Foods to eat for migraines
1. Fresh fruits and vegetables
A well-rounded diet is important for humans. That is why fresh plant-based foods are the best migraine diets. So you can eat a lot of fruits and vegetables to stay healthy. These contain high levels of folate that can act against the intensity of migraine headaches. Therefore, you can keep a stock of asparagus, spinach, Brussels sprouts, bananas, and avocadoes in your pantry.
2. Whole grains
Whole grains like brown rice and whole-wheat pasta are good sources of fiber. These are known to prevent migraines. It helps you to be happy as well as healthy. Further, there are no ingredients in the whole grains that can trigger migraine headaches. So you can also try eating whole grains such as barley, quinoa, and amaranth.
3. Fish
The best type of fish for migraine patients is salmon and shellfish like shrimp. It contains healthy amounts of fats and protein. There is omega-3 content in the fishes that reduce inflammation. On the whole, eating fish will keep you healthy so you can manage migraine attacks better.
4. Water and healthy drinks
If you suffer from migraines, then it is best to stay hydrated always. If you do not drink enough water, then your migraine headaches will become unbearable. So you can aim to drink enough water every day. You can also drink healthy drinks and herbal teas to add some variety to the fluid intake.
Foods to avoid for migraines
1. Fermented foods
Sourdough, pickled veggies, kombucha are fermented foods that are tasty and loved by many. But these are the worst foods for migraine patients because of their tyramine content. This compound is known to trigger migraine headaches.
2. Red wine
Mainly red wine is known to trigger migraine headaches. So it is best to drink white wine that does not contain flavonoids. Also, make sure you do not overconsume the wine; stick to one glass if required.
3. Chocolate
Most women may crave chocolates during their periods because of the drop in estrogen levels. It can be tough to avoid chocolates, but it can worsen migraine headaches. But there is a way to satisfy the cravings. They can try eating more fruits instead of chocolates. In this way, women with migraines can avoid severe headaches.
6. Aged cheese
Some aged cheese varieties such as Brie, Blue, Parmesan, Cheddar, Gruyère, and manchego are not suitable for migraine patients. These foods contain tyramine, the compound which can change the levels of specific neurotransmitters in the brain. This process can trigger headaches. So it is best to avoid aged cheese.