A migraine can creep in with faint pressure or strike suddenly, without warning.
The pounding in your head grows sharper, and everyday sights, sounds and even the smallest noise become suddenly unbearable. However long it lingers, the pain takes over, demanding your full attention — at times crippling. People who are impacted by migraines try their best to avoid triggers, but sometimes a reminder is needed because certain foods can trigger migraine.
In addition to alcohol and chocolate, a cross-sectional study conducted at multiple university hospitals in Egypt, including Cairo and Alexandria, found that unhealthy dietary habits were significantly linked to increased migraine severity. Specific foods such as fried meats, aged cheeses — like Cheddar and Swiss, citrus fruits, coffee, pickles and smoked herring were more frequently associated with chronic migraines.
Furthermore, the American Migraine Foundation listed other dietary triggers, including:
- Aspartame (found in diet sodas, sugar-free products)
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG) in processed or restaurant foods
- Yogurt
- Energy drinks
- Alcohol (red wine, beer, spirits)
- Bananas
- Certain vitamins or herbal supplements
The Grenada Food and Nutrition Council (GFNC) notes that while the lists above were extracted from various studies, whether self-reporting or cross-sectional, what may trigger one person to experience a migraine might not affect another. Therefore, GFNC recommends that each person keep a food journal to self-track.
In addition to noting the foods consumed before a migraine, other potential triggers should be considered, including weather, stress, menstrual cycle, sleep patterns and duration.
To learn more about the GFNC visit https://gfnc.gov.gd/about-us/. To follow us on social media, visit https://linktr.ee/473GFNC. To schedule a nutrition counselling session, call 473-440-2126 or send an email to [email protected].
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