Achieving Balance with a Vestibular Migraine Diet

After controlling stress and managing sleep I find it is important to focus on achieving balance with a Vestibular Migraine Diet. This diet should focus on eliminating all trigger foods at first to drive a significant improvement.

In this blog post, we will discuss the role of diet in managing vestibular migraine and provide some tips for a vestibular migraine diet.

Trigger Foods (HYH)

Certain foods and drinks have been known to trigger vestibular migraine attacks, and it’s important to be aware of these triggers to help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. Common triggers include:

Caffeine

Is a stimulant that is commonly found in foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, chocolate, and certain types of soda. While caffeine can help to improve alertness and focus, it can also have negative effects on individuals with vestibular migraine.

Caffeine can cause the blood vessels in the brain to constrict and then dilate, which can lead to changes in blood flow, and contribute to the onset of a migraine headache. Also, caffeine worsens the symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, which can be associated with vestibular migraines.

Tyramine

An amino acid that is found in those that are aged, fermented, or spoiled. Tyramine can cause the blood vessels in the brain to dilate, which may contribute to the onset of a migraine headache.

Main examples of Tyramine rich foods are:

• Aged cheese such as blue cheese, cheddar, and gouda
• Cured meats such as bacon, pepperoni, and salami
• Fermented foods such as soy sauce, miso, and sauerkraut
• Certain types of fish such as anchovies, sardines, and herring
• Fava beans and broad beans
• Nuts and seeds
• Certain fruits such as avocados, bananas, and citrus fruits
• Certain drinks such as red wine, beer, and vermouth

Chocolate

Contains certain compounds such as caffeine, theobromine and tyramine. Those can cause changes in blood flow and lead to the onset of a migraine headache. Additionally, chocolate also contains phenylethylamine, which can cause the blood vessels in the brain to dilate causing a migraine.

It’s important to note that not all chocolate is equal. The amount of these compounds present in chocolate can vary depending on the type and brand. As an example Dark chocolate contains a higher concentration of these thus it may be more likely to trigger migraines.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

It is everywhere!!! Aflavor enhancer that is commonly used in many processed foods. Usually found in high in protein such as soy sauce, bouillon, and broth.

The exact mechanism by which MSG may trigger migraines is not entirely understood. MSG may cause the blood vessels in the brain to dilate. This could lead to changes in blood flow and the onset of a migraine headache. Additionally, MSG may also cause the release of certain neurotransmitters such as histamine, which can also contribute to the development of migraines.

But don’t be discouraged there’s a lot on the list of foods you can eat. You will find it on my next blog so stay tuned!

Also don’t forget about stress management techniques, and avoiding triggers, as they can also help prevent and manage vestibular migraine attacks.