Tips for Avoiding Migraines (Giveaway)

 

The first time I experienced my first migraine, the first thing my mother asked was “what have you eaten.” She knew all too well the symptoms associated with migraines, and most importantly, the triggers. My head hurt too bad to think, but I was almost certain it was the half pound of baby swiss I was munching on just hours before my first migraine episode. Since then, I have known to watch my intake of cheese.

Along with cheese, my big migraine triggers are chocolate and wine. Other known migraine triggers are citrus fruits, nuts, and MSG. Believe it or not, there is a science behind your migraines which involves certain chemicals released by the foods you eat. If you suffer from frequent migraines, you can download the My Migraine Triggers app to help you keep track of what foods you consume and what activities you participated in before your migraine started. By keeping an accurate log of these things, you can speak with your doctor about a good course of action to help avoid debilitating migraines.

Some people have to avoid trigger foods altogether, while others (like me) can have these foods in moderation. I can totally devour a pound of chocolate and cheese, then wash it down with wine, but along with a bad stomach ache my body will do bad things to me. The lights start to get too bright, sounds are unbearably loud, my head starts spinning and before I know it, I’m laid up on the couch under the covers promising to never consume those foods again. Then, there are other days that I may experience a migraine which is totally unrelated to what I ate. That’s one of the horrible things about migraines: you never know when it will hit you.

Registered dietitian Keri Gans offers valuable information about potential migraine trigger foods that every sufferer should know:

• There are many foods and drinks that can trigger migraines, like citrus fruits, nuts, and foods that contain MSG. It’s important for folks to determine which foods are potential migraine triggers for them. By tracking their triggers, people can avoid them in the future, to help prevent or minimizing migraine attacks.

• Tyramine: Tyramine is a substance found naturally in some foods, like aged cheese and red wine. It’s formed from the breakdown of protein as foods age. A good rule of thumb is that the longer a high-protein food ages, the higher the tyramine content. Some common foods that contain tyramine include: aged cheeses, red wine, alcoholic beverages and some processed meats.

• Alcohol: Alcohol increases blood flow to your brain, which can cause migraines and headaches. Red wine, beer, whiskey and champagne are the most common culprits.

• Other potential migraine triggers include: artificial sweeteners (such as aspartame), chocolate, citrus fruits, coffee or tea, tannins, (like red-skinned apples or pears) caffeinated soda, foods that contain MSG, and nuts or nut butters.

• Food For the brain: There is emerging science that suggests foods rich in magnesium, such as kale and broccoli, support healthy brain function. Try swapping kale for romaine in your salad at lunch to increase your magnesium intake.

For over the counter migraine relief, Excedrin Migraine is most recommended by neurologists.

Since eating healthy is one way to avoid migraines, the people over at Excedrin are giving away fun food-prep prize packs to two lucky readers! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter!
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Disclosure: I am a paid Excedrin® Migraine blog ambassador. Compensation has been provided by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., the makers of Excedrin® Migraine; my journey for a migraine-free experience is my own.