Early in the morning, when the first light of day invades your room, you wake up with a pounding headache again. If you’re a chronic patient of headaches and migraines, you’ll recognize that the Bend Headache Center is your haven. Before we explore the role of a balanced diet in migraine prevention, let’s remind ourselves of the services our medical center offers. Non-surgical and drug-free solutions are our credible approaches to relieving not just the pain, but also the discomfort of those who suffer from constant headaches, migraines, and TMJD.
The Nexus Between Diet and Migraine
A balanced diet plays a critical role in preventing migraines. Nutrition science reveals that certain foods can trigger migraines, while others can help to prevent or even soothe them. As clinicians at the Bend Headache Center, we emphasize the importance of identifying those food items that can help minimize the risk of this debilitating health problem.
Foods to Avoid for Migraine Prevention
Several types of food and drink can incite a migraine attack. Strive to avoid or limit the following items:
- Processed meats such as hot dogs and deli meats, which contain nitrates and nitrites.
- Foods with monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer common in Chinese food and several packaged foods.
- Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, especially red wine and beer.
- Foods high in tyramine, an amino acid found in aged cheese, smoked fish, fermented foods, and certain beans.
- Chocolates, which contain phenylethylamine that could influence the occurrence of migraines.
Migraine-Prevention Foods
Though certain foods may trigger migraines, a balanced diet concentrating on specific foods may aid in the prevention of migraines. Here are foods that are known to prevent or alleviate migraines:
- Foods rich in magnesium, such as spinach, tofu, olive oil, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, avocados, sweet potatoes, and bananas.
- Ginger, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties.
- Riboflavin-rich foods like almonds, spinach, hard cheese, eggs, and lean steaks.
- Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and trout that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Hydrating fruits, such as watermelons, cucumbers, and lettuce.
Importance of Regular Meals and Hydration
Your eating schedule can be just as critical as what you eat when it comes to migraine prevention. Eating regularly is a healthy habit for migraine management. Skipping meals can lead to low blood sugar, which can trigger a migraine. It’s equally essential to stay hydrated. Dehydration is a common migraine trigger. Make sure you’re drinking sufficient water consistently throughout the day.
In offering non-surgical and drug-free solutions, the Bend Headache Center is committed to helping patients alleviate their chronic headaches and migraines. Draw from our advice on a balanced diet and see how your migraine frequency can significantly decrease. Let’s soon say goodbye to those throbbing headaches and migraines.
