Summer Food May Trigger Migraines

Migraines and Food

With Independence Day upon us, the National Headache Foundation (NHF) (www.headaches.org) would like to help America's 29.5 million migraine sufferers, some of whom have diet-related headaches due to their condition.

While summer cookouts are fun for most people, they can lead to migraines for some sufferers whose migraines are triggered by foods. Dietary triggers do not necessarily contribute to migraines in all sufferers, but particular foods may trigger attacks in certain individuals.

The NHF suggests that those who experience recurring migraines keep a diary of the foods eaten before migraine attacks. These suspect foods should be removed from your diet to see if you experience a reduction in the frequency and severity of your migraines.

The NHF recommends avoiding these foods, which may trigger migraine headaches:

• Dairy products. Primarily ripened cheeses such as Cheddar, Emmentaler, Stilton, Brie and Camembert. Cheeses that are permitted include American, cottage, cream cheese and Velveeta. Migraine sufferers should have no more than 1/2-cup daily of sour cream.

• Meats and fish. Herring (either pickled or dried), sausage, bologna, bacon, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage, hot dogs, lunch meats, chicken livers and p ' t ' .

• Fruits and vegetables. Broad beans, lima beans, fava beans, snow peas. No more than 1/2-cup daily of citrus fruits, figs, raisins, papayas, avocados or red plums. Less than 1/2 banana daily.

• Grains. Breads and crackers containing cheese or chocolate. Also sourdough bread.

• Other foods. Items containing monosodium glutamate (MSG) such as soy sauce, meat tenderizers or seasoned salt. Fermented, pickled or marinated foods, aspartame, chocolate, nuts, peanut butter and pizza.

• Beverages. Avoid excessive amounts of caffeinated beverages such as tea, coffee or cola drinks. Migraine sufferers should have no more than two cups daily. Limit yourself to two normal size alcoholic drinks selected from Haute Sauterne, Riesling, Seagram's VO, or Cutty Sark. Especially avoid red wine.

A list of dietary triggers and foods to avoid can be found at the educational resources section of the NHF Web site www.headaches.org under the consumer topic sheets tab. If you are experiencing headache pain on a routine basis and it impacts your quality of life, make a specific appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your headache problem and seek accurate diagnosis and treatment.

The National Headache Foundation, founded in 1970 and celebrating its 35th anniversary, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving headache sufferers, their families and the healthcare providers who treat them; promoting research into headache causes and treatments; and educating the public to the fact that headaches are a legitimate neuro-biological disease and that sufferers should receive understanding and continuity of care.

For more information on headache causes and treatments, visit www.headaches.org or call 1-888-NHF-5552 (M-F. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST). - Chicago, IL " June 27, 2005