If you are experiencing migraine headaches, you might benefit from modifying your diet. Migraines can be triggered by foods. Common food-related headache triggers include: chocolate, caffeine, nitrite-preserved meats (processed lunch meat), aged cheese, dried fruits that contain sulfites, broad beans (such as soybeans, peas, lentils, chickpeas and lupins), monosodium glutamate (MSG), and excessive salt. Avoiding these foods might lead to fewer or less painful headaches. Keep a headache diary and track your meals to identify patterns and triggers.
These foods have been known to trigger migraine headaches:
Chocolate | Candy, foods, drinks, syrup |
Sugar (in excess) | Candy, cookies, cake, sweets, pop |
| Ripened Cheeses | Cheddar, brick, mozzarella, Gruyere, Emmentaler, Stilton, Brie, Camembert, Boursalt |
Dairy products | Milk, ice cream, cheese |
Alcoholic beverages | Beer, red wine, sherry, liquor |
| Fruits and their juices | Bananas, plantain, avocado, figs, passion fruit, raisins, pineapple, oranges, and other citrus fruits |
Vegetables | Onions, broad bean pods (lima, navy, pea), nuts, peanut butter |
Fermented, pickled, | Herring, sour cream, yogurt, vinegar |
Yeast products | Yeast extracts, hot fresh breads, raised coffee cakes, donuts |
Meats with nitrites | Bologna, hot dogs, pepperoni, salami, pastrami, bacon, sausage, canned ham, corned beef, smoked fish |
Sulfites | Salad bars, shrimp, soft drinks |
Monosodium glutamate | Chinese foods, Lawry’s Seasoned Salt, instant foods (canned soup, TV dinners), processed meats, roasted nuts, potato chips |
NutraSweet® | Soft drinks, diet foods |
Caffeine | Coffee, tea, cola |
Stay Hydrated
Drink a lot of water, juice or milk. You will know you are drinking enough when your urine is pale yellow or clear in color. Limit the number of carbonated and/or caffeinated beverages you drink.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your health care providers. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or others on your health care team. If you are a Gillette patient with urgent questions or concerns, please contact Telehealth Nursing at 651-229-3890.