Tuesday, June 28, 2011

ARE YOU FEEDING THAT MIGRAINE?

If you have suffered a migraine before or experiences occasional migraine episodes, this post will be very helpful to you.

In a business meeting, a man rejected a cup of coffee because according to him, coffee gives him headaches. The man next to him called him coy, and just local. The story indeed made me laugh and I wondered if being a coffee drinker is a sign of confidence.

THE TRUTH is that the non-coffee drinker has discovered what works best for him and probably understands the effects that the things he eat or drink have on his health. When it comes to migraine and other headaches, there are two types of diets-
1.     The headache trigger foods- that can start the migraine reaction, and
2.     The headache fighting foods- that put the body in optimal migraine fighting shape, and can either relieve migraine or help you cope.
Some headache trigger foods include
  • alcohol (even red wine)
  • caffeine
  • chocolates
  • nuts (especially peanuts)
  • yeast (especially in breads and other foods and drinks)
  • some flavorings (like vanilla may contain alcohol)
  • all alcoholic and fermented beverages
  • all foods with tyramine ( all fermented, salted or pickled foods like aged cheese, fermented soy products like soy sauce and all nuts.)
  • foods with tannins ( tea, red wine, chocolate, vanilla, black wallnuts and most herbal products.)
*NOTE. Different people have different triggers; it is therefore very important for you to understand what triggers your migraine and eliminate or cut down on them.

Headache fighting foods. In the world of diet cures for headaches/migraines, the best advice is simply to eat a well-balanced diet with plenty fresh, non-processed foods. That includes a variety of grains, fruits and vegetables. Here are some specific foods that are believed to be useful in cutting down the migraine pains.
What about fasting and skipping meals?
Yes they are surefire triggers for many people, possibly because of dropping blood sugar levels. Try to eat small amounts of meals throughout the day and avoid skipping meals. Remember that fresh is best- eat it fresh and cut down on processed foods. Avoid making sudden drastic changes in your diet, whatever change you want to make, ease into it and eat a well-balanced diet.

****Am pleased to let you know that Nutritionalert has been nominated for two categories(Best Fitness or Health Blog and Most Educational Blog ) in the ongoing Nigerian Blog Awards. Visit HERE and vote for Nutritionalert.


11 comments:

  1. Like you said, I believe hunger is a great trigger.
    I used to skip meals a lot becos of my other commitments.

    However, I eat more regularly now and the headaches have eased off

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  2. Why does chocolate have to be part of it (sad face)?
    Thankfully, I am a fruit and vegetable person all the way. Thanks for sharing

    atilola.blogspot.com

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  3. @ N.I.L, am glad you found out what triggers your headaches.Stay healthy always. Thanks for stopping by.

    @ilola, lol! no sad face yet, just find out if chocolates is trigger for you first, being a fruits and vegetable lover is a huge plus for you. keep staying healthy. Am glad you stopped by.

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  4. This is so so helpful! Thank you :D

    Adiya
    The Corner Shop

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  5. Shouldn't there be a difference between milk and dark chocolate? I've read that dark chocolate with about 75% cocoa is good for us.

    Love your blog and I'll be visiting more often.

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  6. @ Adiya, am glad that this post is helpful to you. Thanks for stopping by.

    @ MaidofHeart, Chocolate made the list of headache trigger foods because of its caffeine content. Remember that individuals have different triggers, just find out what yours are and eliminate or cut down on them.

    Indeed there is a difference between milk and dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is comprised of cocoa liqueur, cocoa butter and sugar while in Milk chocolate milk is added and less liqueur is used than in the dark chocolate. More so, the higher the cocoa paste, the healthier the chocolate bar. in my opinion, milk/white chocolate is not truly chocolate, but a confection created out of cocoa butter and sugar.

    Dark chocolates offers a lot of health benefits- read more http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongnutrition/p/chocolate.htm

    Am glad you stopped by, do come again.

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  7. Luckily, I'm not prone to headaches, but these are noted for the near and dear. Thanks for sharing, and congrats on your awards.

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  8. Am glad you stopped by Myne. Do come again

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  9. A very educating piece, thanks for sharing, sis!
    And congrats on your nominations, I already casted my votes for your blog.wish you well..

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  10. @ omoba, thanks for stopping by, and for the vote too.

    @ Adiya, congratulations! keep flying high.

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  11. great simple to follow info. I'm not sure if my headaches or migranes. I've also heard that it might be a tension headache, but I'm not sure what the difference is!

    Anna
    http://bogartit.blogspot.com

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