These days, migraines are a common occurrence with people. While some experience mild to moderate headaches, many others experience severe migraines. The headache can be quite debilitating, on the basis of the severity. Symptoms may range from nausea, tingling sensation, and sensitivity to light and sound. Food plays an important role in controlling the severity of the headache. While some foods help, here are some foods to avoid for migraine.

1. Alcohol
If you are looking for foods to avoid for migraine, here’s one of the top picks. Alcohol is known as a vasodilator, it dilates blood vessels. Further, alcohol contains histamines, tyramine and other flavonoids that may trigger inflammatory chemicals leading to pain. As the alcohol enters your bloodstream, it makes your nerve fibers sensitive, leaving you feeling disoriented. Alcohol is also known to cause dehydration, aggravating headache symptoms.

2. Eggs
Often, glutamate is the reason that people find that they cannot handle eggs. Eggs have a high glutamic acid content which is the reason they are one of the foods to avoid for migraine. However, if you find that it is too tough to avoid eating eggs, then you must opt for organic eggs. Organic eggs are known to have a lower level of glutamic acid.

3. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
While you may not know how MSG tastes or include it in your diet consciously, anyone who has had Chinese food will have consumed some MSG. A flavor enhancer, typically MSG is added in most Chinese dishes. MSG is artificially manufactured by fermenting molasses, salt, and sugar. MSG is known to trigger headaches in some people, and you should avoid this flavor enhancer if you are prone to migraines.

4. Caffeine
While coffee is known to cure headache symptoms, some others have a strong adverse reaction to caffeine. If you are used to high quantities of coffee, watch your intake. Coffee is known to be addictive, so if you are used to many cups a day, missing a few may trigger a migraine. If you cannot consider coffee as one of the foods to avoid migraine, think about reducing your intake gradually.

5. Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners such as sucralose or aspartame are known for being migraine triggers. Numerous studies have shown that these artificial sweeteners have a direct connection with migraine attack. Always opt for natural sweeteners like jaggery or avoid them completely to stay safe. It may be one of the foods to avoid for migraine.

When it comes to foods to avoid for migraine, understanding the foods that don’t agree with you takes time. Generally, it is a process of trial and error. Think about starting a food journal with specifics about foods consumed and ensuing reactions.