Migraine headaches can be caused by what a person eats. The following foods should be avoided on a trial basis to observe their effects.

MEATS - Nitrate and nitrate-preserved foods such as cold cuts (bologna, salami), hot dogs, pastrami, canned meats, pepperoni, sausage, ham and bacon.

MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE - A seasoning - flavor enhancer - used in many processed foods and restaurant dishes (Chinese foods, Accent, Lawry's Seasoned Salt, canned soups, TV dinners, potato chips).

Glutamate (of which MSG is a salt) occurs naturally in most protein-containing foods and is especially prevalent in mushrooms, peas, and other vegetables. Any food (a dry soup mix, for example) that lists hydrolyzed vegetable protein as an ingredient will be high in glutamate.

Check labels for MSG at the grocery store, or ask a waiter in a restaurant.

PORK - Do not eat pork more than two times per week.

CHICKEN LIVER

VEGETABLES - Onions, pods of broad beans such as lima and navy, pea pods, nuts, peanut butter, spinach, beets, radishes, lettuce.

FRUITS - Bananas, avocados, pineapple, citrus fruits and juices (orange, lemon, grapefruit), raisins, figs, tomatoes, plums.

CHEESES - Aged or fermented (Cheddar, Brie, Camembert, Gruyere, Stilton) as well as Parmesan, American, cottage, cream and Velveeta cheeses.

ALCOHOL - Avoid all alcoholic beverages. Some cough medicines, expectorants and certain mouthwash preparations can also contain alcohol.

CHOCOLATE - Including all cola beverages.

PICKLED, FERMENTED OR MARINATED FOODS - Pickles, pickled or smoked fish, herring, vinegar, sour cream, yogurt, mushrooms, sauerkraut, salt dried fish, seafood.

YEAST PRODUCTS - Fresh bread, doughnuts, coffee cake, etc.

CAFFEINE - Tea, coffee and soda pop (unless specifically labelled caffeine-free). Caffeine is also found in some pain remedies as well as other medicines.

PIZZA

The above foods have been incriminated as causing headaches because of the chemicals, neurotransmitters or amino acids they contain. Among those containing histamines are wine, beer, sauerkraut and chocolate. Among foods containing serotonin, tryptomine, tyramine, dopamine, and norepinephrine are banana, tomato, plum, avocado, orange, pineapple, fermented cheese, wine, pickled herring, and salt dried fish. Foods containing nitrates include spinach, beets, radishes, lettuce and packaged meats such as sausage, bacon, luncheon meats and hot dogs.

Source: Condemi; J.: Foods and Headache. Immunology & Allergy Practice XI(7), July 1989, pp. 31-32.

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