HYH Dietary Triggers for Migraines

Book Summary

HYH Dietary Triggers for Migraines includes a list of trigger foods and allowed options for migraine sufferers to use as a reference. A three-step program that puts headache sufferers back in control of their lives.

“A must read for all individuals with migraine!”

-Ronald J. Tusa, M.D., PH.D., Professor of Neurology and Otolaryngology, Dizziness and Balance Center, Emory University

Step 1: Avoid the “Quick Fix.” Too often painkillers only make matters worse because of the crippling complication known as rebound.
Step 2: Reduce your triggers. The crux of the program: a migraine diet that eliminate the foods that push headache sufferers over the top.
Step 3: Raise your threshold. When diet and other lifestyle changes aren’t enough, preventive medication can help stay the course.
That’s it. In three steps, you can turn your headache problems around.

Dietary Triggers and Allowed Foods

From Heal your Headache Book by David Buchholz other lists are similar (take a look)

Caffeine

• Coffee, tea, iced tea and cola
• Even decaf coffee and tea
• Beware of coffee substitutes

Allowed: Try caffeine free herb tea (without citrus or other trigger flavors)

Chocolate

• All Dark chocolate
• Carob is questionable
  • Carob chocolate is a type of chocolate substitute made from the pulverized seeds of the carob tree. It has a naturally sweet and nutty flavor, similar to chocolate but with a slightly different taste. Carob chocolate is often used as a healthy alternative to traditional chocolate, as it is lower in fat, calories, and caffeine and contains higher levels of fiber and antioxidants. Additionally, it is often used as a chocolate substitute for individuals who are sensitive to caffeine or chocolate, or those who prefer to avoid chocolate for personal or religious reasons

Allowed: White Chocolate

Monosodium Glutamate (See Potential Sources below)

• Chinese food
• Soups and bouillons
• Accent and seasoned salt
• Salty Snacks
• Croutons
• Bread Crumbs
• Gravies
• Ready to eat meals
• Cheap buffets
• Processed meats
• Veggie Burgers
• Protein concentrates
• Low fat and low calorie foods

Processed Fish and Meat

• Aged
• Canned
• Cured
• Fermented
• Marinated
• Smoked
• Tenderized or preserved with nitrites or nitrates
• Hot dogs
• Sausage
• Salami
• Peperoni
• Bologna
• Liverwurst
• Beef Jerky
• Certain Hams
• Bacon
• Pâtés
• Smoked or pickled fish
• Caviar and anchovies
• Fresh beef and chicken liver

Cheese and Dairy Products

• Aged (the more aged the worse)
• Food containing products including pizza
• Yogurt (including frozen yogurt)
• Sour Cream
• Buttermilk

Allowed: Cottage cheese, ricotta, cream cheese

Nuts

• All kinds
• Nut butters

Allowed: Seeds

Alcohol and Vinegar

• Red wine
• Champagne
• Dark Heavy drinks

Allowed: Vodka, clear vinegar (distilled is best)

Fruits and Juices

• Citrus Fruits and their juices: oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, tangerines, clementines and pineapples.
• Bananas
• Raisins and other dried fruits
• Raspberries
• Red plums
• Papayas
• Passion Fruit
• Figs
• Dates
• Avocado

Vegetables

• Onions
• Sauerkraut
• Pea pods
• Certain Beans: broad italon, lima, fava, navy and lentils

Allowed: Leeks, scallions, shallots, spring onion and garlic

Fresh Yeast Risen Baked Goods

Less than one day old:

• Home or restaurant made bread – specially sourdough
• Bagels
• Doughnuts
• Pizza Dough
• Soft pretzels
• Coffee Cake

Aspartame

• Saccharin

Allowed: Sucralose and Stevia

Others

• Soy products:
  • Specially miso, fermented (tempeh) or highly processed (protein isolate/concentrate)
  • Soy sauce containing MSG.
  • Less risky are unflavored Tofu, soy milk and flour.

Allowed: Soy oil, tomatoes and tomato based sauces and mushrooms

Potential Sources of MSG

• Hydrolyzed Protein (including vegetable/soy/plant/rice/protein)
• Yeast extract and autolyzed yeast
• Natural flavors and flavorings
• Broth, stock or bouilion
• Soy protein concentrate/isolate
• Textured protein
• Whey protein
• Protein fortified items
• Malt extract
• Malted barley
• Maltodextrin
• Carrageenan
• Kombu (seaweed extract)
• Sodium or calcium caseinate
• Glutamin acid
• Gelatin
• Fermented or cultured items
• Utra pasteurized items
• Enzyme modified items

The Heal your Headache Book by David Buchholz (Author), Stephen G. Reich (Foreword) includes Dietary Triggers for Migraines to be used as a reference. To avoid being concerned is probably best to say there are many options outside of the list, my take is basically this list helps me eliminate the highly processed foods making my diet healthier and cleaner.