Someone recently asked about possible food triggers for Migraines. It took me so long to find my list that I forgot where the question was. But I guess there are others who might want some info, too, so here it is.
I have a book that says "Anyone with migraines should: stay away from chocolate, sandwich cheese, dairy, MSG, citrus, processed meats (such as bacon, baloney and salami), nuts, alcohol, coffee and tea. Say good-bye to aged cheses and smoked or pickled foods because they contain a migraine-inducing chemical called tyramine. The National Headache Foundation also recommends avoiding herring, sour cream, sourdough bread, lima and fava beans, and pizza."
I wonder why the sourdough bread, in particular? And What's a fava bean? 
Also, I'd temper this info with the knowledge that not all migraine sufferers can trace their headaches to food. I've never been able to.
But I wonder, if anyone HAS experimented and found a particular trigger, how have you done it? How long would you say you should go without eating any of these known triggers before you start to reintroduce them, one at a time, into your diet. And then, how long do you wait to see if you get a migraine from that food?
I also learned, that certain smells can trigger a migraine for some people. Like perfumes, cleaners, insecticides.
~~Pegasis 
Hi there. I am new to the forum. Your post prompted me to join the discussion...and the fact that my headaches are getting worse and I need some help.
I think the reason figuring out ones food trigger is almost impossible is because it is not just one food or one thing. I have a book that says that it is the gradual "stacking"of ones triggers , and then there will be one food that sends you over your "headache threshold", but it may be a different food or thing each time, which makes it impossible to figure out "the one". Everyone has a threshold , and everyones is different hence why some people are headache people and some people aren't. We all tolerate pain, noise, stress at different levels too.
My headaches have been getting worse. I used to think they were sinus headaches bit could never figure out why if it were my sinuses, why my neck shoulders and back hurt so much too. Up to this year I could funtion as it was 'just a headache" (I think headache people are incredibly resiliant) but for the last 6 have months I have been getting nausea and vomiting and I am in bed.They usually last 3days almost to the minute. I'm thinking that there might be a hormone factor in here as I am 49 years old.
So I am off red wine and am really lowering my coffee intake but it may have to go too. I think its a good idea not to ever overeat any of those favorite foods that are triggers. I think one can eventually reintroduce triggers but slowly and never over indulge. But I don't know yet as I am too busy eliminating things from my diet.
Perfume and smoke gets me too, especially old smoke, all which are hard to avoid. anyway i don't think i've answered your questions rather just added some more thoughts on the topic.
Looking forward to future discussion!
Bandgirl
PS idon't know what a fava bean is either.
I think the reason figuring out ones food trigger is almost impossible is because it is not just one food or one thing. I have a book that says that it is the gradual "stacking"of ones triggers , and then there will be one food that sends you over your "headache threshold", but it may be a different food or thing each time, which makes it impossible to figure out "the one". Everyone has a threshold , and everyones is different hence why some people are headache people and some people aren't. We all tolerate pain, noise, stress at different levels too.
My headaches have been getting worse. I used to think they were sinus headaches bit could never figure out why if it were my sinuses, why my neck shoulders and back hurt so much too. Up to this year I could funtion as it was 'just a headache" (I think headache people are incredibly resiliant) but for the last 6 have months I have been getting nausea and vomiting and I am in bed.They usually last 3days almost to the minute. I'm thinking that there might be a hormone factor in here as I am 49 years old.
So I am off red wine and am really lowering my coffee intake but it may have to go too. I think its a good idea not to ever overeat any of those favorite foods that are triggers. I think one can eventually reintroduce triggers but slowly and never over indulge. But I don't know yet as I am too busy eliminating things from my diet.
Perfume and smoke gets me too, especially old smoke, all which are hard to avoid. anyway i don't think i've answered your questions rather just added some more thoughts on the topic.
Looking forward to future discussion!
Bandgirl
PS idon't know what a fava bean is either.
Just popping in here because I saw the title of this post. When my children were small we had a very tight budget. Consequently they got a glass of Tang every morning because I couldn't afford real orange juice. about the time our finances improved my pre-teens developed migraines. I did research until I was blue in the face... and eventually started on an elimination diet for the kids. It's not difficult to do and very helpful if you are trying to rule out food triggers. When we found the culprit we were blown away... It was orange juice. Further research explained the rationale. Commercial orange juice is squeezed with the skin on the oranges. Orange skins are full of synephrine, a vasoconstrictor. My kids overreacted to this synephrine and voila! Headaches! At the time we discovered this, citrus was considered a very obscure cause of migraines. Recently it has been shown to be more prevalent but is still often overlooked. Both of my migraine kids are in their 30's now and still have migraines, but not nearly as often as our old orange juice days.
Fava beans are similar to butter beans or lima beans. Hannible Lechter used them in some of his 'gourmet' cooking.
~ Jeannie
"As one goes through life one learns if you don't paddle your own canoe you don't move."
-Katherine Hepburn
"Madness takes its toll.
Please have exact change."
Fava beans are similar to butter beans or lima beans. Hannible Lechter used them in some of his 'gourmet' cooking.
~ Jeannie
"As one goes through life one learns if you don't paddle your own canoe you don't move."
-Katherine Hepburn
"Madness takes its toll.
Please have exact change."
I have been working on finding certain foods that effect my migraines. i know there is a lot of types of food that has been known to trigger migraines but everyone is different. some triggers effect my headaches more then orthers for instance if i eat chocolate it will give me a headache but if there are other triggers involved like if i miss a dose of my medication i take to prevent my migraine i am more likely to get a flow blown migraine rather then just a headache
Melissa
Melissa
Hello,
I recently bought a book called "Heal Your Headache". It's written by a neurologist, though his name escapes me at the moment. He describes a program he calls 1-2-3 to relieve Migraines and step 2 is a diet. His Migraine Diet consists mostly of eliminating chemicals (i.e. nitrites, nitrates, msg, and other packaged food chemicals). I was amazed at how many forms MSG can take. The book lists a multitude of different names for MSG. The diet also lists foods that commonly trigger migraines and explains why sometimes foods do and don't trigger them.
I found it very helpful and have been following the diet. It definitely has helped with getting rid of migraines and reducing the ease in which they are triggered.
Coquitlam55
"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."
Mother Teresa
Coquitlam55
I have read probably 60 some odd books on Migraines and Headaches and I think I would rank that somewhere in the top 5. That is a great book with wonderful suggestions, are you trying the Magnesium, Feverfew and B Vitamin Combo?? MigraHealth?
Sara
Sara-Migraine/Headache Forum Moderator
Thanks for Visiting HealingWell.com
Hello,
No, I haven't tried that combo, but will investigate further.
Thanks!
Coquitlam55
"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."
Mother Teresa
ok I noticed how everyone here is responding to the food and i will too. I really don't react to chocolate very well any more which is a shame becasue its so good. And i can't drink/eat anythink diet/sugar free that has Aspertame in it.
But the Poll shows that everyone voted for Smells too. Perfumes are my big thing. I can't wear any perfumes and I have to walk away from anyone that has strong perfume on too. Although candles don't bother me.
But the Poll shows that everyone voted for Smells too. Perfumes are my big thing. I can't wear any perfumes and I have to walk away from anyone that has strong perfume on too. Although candles don't bother me.
oh wait a minute i just looked at the poll again and just noticed that i am the only one that voted!!!!!!!!!!
NEVER MIND
NEVER MIND