Going on the migraine diet is a wise choice if you regularly suffer from these debilitating headaches.
What is the Migraine Diet?
The migraine diet is a type of elimination diet that can help to identify some of your trigger foods that bring on painful migraines. Our health is closely connected to our diet, and the same holds true for the regularity of migraines. Some foods can trigger migraines, while others can help to alleviate or prevent them. Knowing the difference between the two can lead to major relief from this challenging condition. [1]
As is true of any elimination diet, this diet plan seeks to eliminate common trigger foods and then slowly reintroduce them over time to determine whether they increase your likelihood of a migraine. As you slowly reintroduce potential trigger foods every 2-4 days, pay attention to whether you detect any common migraine symptoms.
If you do detect any of these symptoms, eliminate that dietary item and continue with elimination/reintroduction of other potential foods. Remember, there could be more than one trigger food in your diet that you need to avoid. [2]
Migraine does not have a cure, but it can be controlled and treated through a healthy diet and certain over-the-counter medicines. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Migraine Diet Plan
There are a number of foods that you should eat that are known to reduce inflammation and lower your risk of developing a migraine. [3]
Foods to Eat
- Vegetables
- Dairy
- Nuts and seeds
- Grains
- Additives
- Ginger
- Eggs
- Sauces
- Herbs
- Spices
- Seasonings
- Brown rice
- Condiments
- Legumes
- Fruits
- Baked goods
- Healthy fats
- Oils
- Fish
- Cereals
- Water
Foods to Avoid
- Caffeinated drinks, such as coffee and black tea
- Chocolate
- Gluten rich foods
- Pickled foods
- Pizza
- Peanut butter
- High-fat meats
- Smoked and dried fish
- Potato chips and junk food
- Tomatoes
- Corn
- Apples
- Alcohol
- Sucralose
- Aspartame
- Monosodium glutamate
- Almonds
- Citrus fruits
- Fast-food
Primarily stick to the safe list for the first 2-3 weeks, and then begin reintroducing foods from the avoid list over time.
