Migraine Trigger Foods

This is a comprehensive list of the most common migraine trigger foods.  Not everyone is sensitive to everything on the list, but this list is a good place to start investigating which ones you are sensitive to.

Aged cheeses (cheddar, blue, brie, hard and moldy)

Alcohol

Apple juice and cider

Artificial sweeteners - Aspartame, Sucralose

Avocados

Bacon

Balsamic vinegar

Beans - string, navy, kidney, lima

Beer

Caffeine - although used to enhance some pain medicines, too much caffeine will trigger a migraine

Chili peppers - sometimes used in research to trigger migraines

Chocolate

Chocolate

Chocolate

Citrus fruits Aged cheeses (cheddar, blue, brie, hard and moldy) Alcohol Apple juice and cider Artificial sweeteners - Aspartame, Sucralose Avocados Bacon Balsamic vinegar Beans - string, navy, kidney, lima Beer Caffeine - although used to enhance some pain medicines, too much caffeine will trigger a migraine Chili peppers - sometimes used in research to trigger migraines Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Citrus fruits Cocoa Coffee Corned beef Cured meats Cured, smoked, pickled, canned foods Deli meat Dried fruit - prunes, figs, apricots Ham Hot dogs Hydrolyzed or autolyzed yeast Hydrolyzed plant protein (HPP) Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) Jerky Kombu extract (often used in Japanese foods) Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Nitrates Nitrites Nuts Olives Overripe bananas Pepperoni Phenylethylamine Pickled foods Pork Processed meats Red plums Red skinned apples and pears Red vinegar Red wine Red wine Salami Sausages Sausages Sherry Sodium caseinate Soy based foods Sulfite containing foods Tannin containing foods Tea Tyramine containing foods Vermouth Yeast breads Yeast extract

Cocoa

Coffee

Corned beef

Cured meats

Cured, smoked, pickled, canned foods

Deli meat

Dried fruit - prunes, figs, apricots

Ham

Hot dogs

Hydrolyzed or autolyzed yeast

Hydrolyzed plant protein (HPP)

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP)

Jerky

Kombu extract (often used in Japanese foods)

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Nitrates

Nitrites

Nuts

Olives

Overripe bananas

Pepperoni

Phenylethylamine

Pickled foods

Pork

Processed meats

Red plums

Red skinned apples and pears

Red vinegar

Red wine

Red wine

Salami

Sausages

Sausages

Sherry

Sodium caseinate

Soy based foods

Sulfite containing foods

Tannin containing foods

Tea

Tyramine containing foods

Vermouth

Yeast breads

Yeast extract

Sneaky Migraine Triggers by Yahoo Health

This clip has some great suggestions that were all true in my case.  One of the best things I did to help reduce my migraines was to stop eating foods that I was allergic or had a sensitivity to.

Click Here to View Clip

Magnesium and Migraine Prevention

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Yahoo Health Clip Suggesting Taking 400mg of Magnesium Daily to Prevent Migraines

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Peppermint Essential Oil - A must have for migraine/headache relief.

Peppermint is one of my all time favorite essential oils.  I use it almost daily to help with migraine and tension headache relief.  (I have been fighting migraine, cluster and tension headaches for over 26 years.)  I also use it to help settle my stomach when I have nausea or an upset stomach.


Peppermint -  "is one of the oldest and most highly regarded herbs for supporting normal digestion, including promoting healthy intestinal function and gastrointestinal system comfort.*" 







Add one drop of it to the site of migraine/headache pain and massage in (which for me is usually above my left eye on my forehead and sometimes my temples). Make sure not to get it too close to your eyes, as it will irritate them. Since I am applying it so close to my eyes, I have to close them for about 5-10 minutes or they water quite a bit.  At that point, I typically have light sensitivity anyway so closing my eyes is a relief. If I apply it across the top of my forehead though, my eyes don't water.  Sometimes, I get a "cluster migraine" and my pain is at the top of my head near the crown (it feels like an ice pick being driven into your head).  I have applied the peppermint oil there as well with much success. The application all depends on where the site of your pain is. Shortly thereafter you will begin to feel a soothing cool tingling sensation as it begins to work.

Also, add 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil to hot water to make a stomach soothing drink.  I get a lot of nausea with my migraines and this really helps settle my stomach.  Plus, I always find it relaxing to sip something warm. Make sure to use a glass or ceramic mug.  Essential oils do not react well with Styrofoam or plastic.  I do not like to use plastic anything since it has been linked to potentially causing breast cancer.

Using Essential Oils to Help Relieve Headaches

I have been suffering migraine headaches for over 26 years. Recently, I have started to supplement my prescription medication with essential oils to battle all of my symptoms. Here a a few that have really helped me:


Peppermint -  "is one of the oldest and most highly regarded herbs for supporting normal digestion, including promoting healthy intestinal function and gastrointestinal system comfort.*" 






I add 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil to hot water to make a soothing drink.  I also add one drop of it to the site of pain which for me is usually above my left eye on my forehead or on my temples. Make sure not to get it too close to your eyes, as it will irritate them.

Eucalyptus Globulus -  "has a fresh, penetrating scent. It contains a high percentage of the constituent eucalyptol, a key ingredient in many mouth rinses. Applied topically, it is often used to support the respiratory system* and to soothe muscles after exercise.*" 



One of the migraine medications I take always causes my nose to become stuffed up.  Using 1-2 drops Eucalyptus Globulus essential oil (aplied to my upper chest in the center under my collarbones) really helps to relieve that feeling.



Lavender - "has a sweet, floral aroma that is soothing and refreshing. It's aroma is great for relaxing & winding down before bedtime; add to bath or diffuse to create a calming & comforting environment. It also may compliment your favorite shampoos, lotions & skin care products.*"



I find Lavender essential oil to be very comforting and soothing.  I apply 1-2 drops across my forehead along the hairline and gently massage in.  

After applying these three essential oils, I go lie down in a quiet, dark room if possible.   This whole process really helps me to relax and compliments my prescription medication(s) to work better in my humble opinion.


*Information taken from the Young Living website.  This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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