
Foods to Eat and Avoid With Migraine
Migraine is a severe headache, and it’s much more than your usual bad headache. It’s primarily a neurological disease. Migraines typically cause debilitating throbbing headaches with physical activity, lights, sounds, or smells. The strong headache of migraines can often accompany nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. The migraine episodes can last from hours to days. The symptoms of migraines are unique for everyone and can happen in various stages.
Food and migraines
Food and migraines have both a good and a bad relationship. There are foods out there that help in managing and preventing migraines, and in the same way, some foods can trigger or initiate migraine symptoms. Keep scrolling to know more.
Best foods for migraines
Foods cannot prevent migraines 100%, but they help to a large extent.
1. Vegetables
Green and fresh veggies are always good for your overall health and are particularly helpful in preventing migraines. The plenty of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in vegetables contribute to overall health. The high water content available in vegetables keeps your body balanced and prevents it from losing too much water.
2. Water
Dehydration is one of the many causes of migraines. Drinking adequate water helps in the prevention of migraine episodes. You can add fresh fruits and herbs to it too.
3. Whole grains
Whole-grain foods are good sources of fiber. Fiber-rich foods are good for overall health and wellbeing. Regular consumption of whole-grain foods also helps in the prevention of migraine episodes.
4. Fruit
Similar to vegetables, fruits too are rich in minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. Thus, they fulfill your daily requirements of healthy nutrients. In addition, fruits are rich in natural water and are an excellent way to prevent migraines.
5. Fish
Fish contains healthy fat and protein. Especially shellfish are good for migraines. The high omega-3 acid content in fish can help reduce inflammation and lower your risk of various diseases.
Worst foods for migraines
In some cases, food also gets blamed for your migraines. However, all migraine episodes are not linked with food. In some cases, stress, light, sleep, or hormones are responsible.
1. Aged cheese
Some of the aged cheese such as Cheddar, Gruyère, and Manchego are likely to trigger the symptoms of migraines. Mainly a compound called tyramine, found in aged cheese, is bad for migraines.
2. Fermented foods
They are bad for your migraines too. The bad boy tyramine is also found in fermented foods.
3. Smoked or processed meats
If you love eating smoked and processed foods, cut down or say goodbye to them. Along with the additives such as nitrates and nitrites, tyramine is also available in foods that are bad for migraines.
Also, do not forget to consult your dietician or doctor for your tailored migraine management tips.