What to Eat on a Migraine Diet

Those who experience migraine headaches know the pain can be excruciating and debilitating. It may be both comforting and exciting to know that food has been linked to migraines. According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, some foods can trigger migraines, some neither make migraines better or worse, and others can help relieve migraine pain. Knowing which foods do which can help a migraine sufferer develop a migraine diet.

Testing

• To determine which foods will work for your migraine diet, start with an elimination diet. This diet starts with safe foods only. After you are free of symptoms for a week or so, you can slowly add other foods at a rate of one every other day. If symptoms do not occur within two days, you can add another food.

Safe Foods

• Safe foods, which are used to start an elimination diet, neither make migraines better or worse. These include rice, cooked green vegetables, cooked yellow vegetables, cooked orange vegetables, cooked or dried fruits that are not citrus, water (plain or carbonated), salt, maple syrup and vanilla extract.

Trigger Foods

• Some foods are known to trigger migraines. Trigger foods usually cause migraines within three to six hours of eating them. Some patients' trigger foods change over time. Common trigger foods include all dairy products, chocolate, eggs, citrus fruits, all meat, all wheat, all nuts, tomatoes, onions, corn, apples and bananas.

Supplements

• When eliminating possible triggers has failed to work, your doctor may recommend supplements. Some supplements have been shown to help rid patients of migraines. These include feverfew, ginger, magnesium and calcium. You should only use these after talking with your physician. Be sure to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding types of supplements and dosages.

Additional Factors

• Migraine diets can be complex. In some patients, a small amount of a trigger food may not be bothersome. But large doses of a certain food over several days could trigger migraines. Finding out which foods help and which trigger headaches can bring great relief to migraine headache sufferers.

  Contact your doctor immediately if you experience a migraine headache with symptoms such as fever, a change in coordination or strength, difficulty concentrating, sensory changes, neck or back pain, tired or aching muscles or joints, or drowsiness. You should also seek medical attention immediately if your headache wakes you from sleep or if a headache follows head trauma. If your migraines worsen over time, contact your doctor.