Migraines from processed foods?

AnnelizabethB
AnnelizabethB Posts: 64 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I recently went on vacation and when I came back and stopped eating out and more boxed stuff I had 2 migraines that week. so I was wondering if the foods could be a trigger and if anyone else has that happen? I do suffer form migraines but usually only once a month at most. So 2 in a week is a lot for me. just curious thanks

thank you all for your responses, they have given me a few things to look into and think about :smile:

Replies

  • doctorsookie
    doctorsookie Posts: 1,084 Member
    Processed foods have also been linked to the increase in ADHD in children and adults alike. Look at how many children are on Ridalin compared to just 30 years ago. If I could afford to make all my own food I would so do it.
  • Shesaid_destroy
    Shesaid_destroy Posts: 128
    I am a migraine sufferer and tbh, i never made the connection between what i eat and the migraine.
    My triggers are stress, lights and tiredness. If those three happen in a combo, you can bet your hard earnt dollar or pound that i am due for a migraine that will not go away until i vomit and sleep it off in the dark for at least 4 hours.

    That said, i will try to make more notice of the food / migraine relation because it could very well be related.
    Honestly, when i change what i eat (i e eating healthy and then having a grand dinner like i did last night with wine, and cheese and this and that) it's not in my head but in my belly that i feel the change.... :embarassed:
  • whisperer02
    whisperer02 Posts: 52
    Me too.
  • cadaverousbones
    cadaverousbones Posts: 421 Member
    It could definitely be linked to your diet. I know I feel a lot better when I am eating fresh foods that I cook at home, and less processed foods. You want to make sure you are getting proper nutrition as well and not just looking at the calories. I would also see a doctor about it if it is really bad because it could be a medical issue.
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    Its really not well understood, and different for everyone. If i have the right combo of stress and sleeplessness, something like a night light can be a trigger for me (pinpoint bright light in the dark = instant migraine for me). Others have to give up red wine or aged cheese. Environmental changes, like a sudden barometric pressure drop can do it. I've never heard the processed foods thing, but I have heard that sulfates (like those used to dry fruit) can be a trigger.
  • Beckyann1971
    Beckyann1971 Posts: 130
    I have always had migraines stress was only trigger I knew of. but last year my health took a turn for the worse and now I get migraines frequently and worse than ever. I know lights is a huge trigger but high fructose corn syrup is clearly a huge trigger as well.
  • AnnelizabethB
    AnnelizabethB Posts: 64 Member
    I am a migraine sufferer and tbh, i never made the connection between what i eat and the migraine.
    My triggers are stress, lights and tiredness. If those three happen in a combo, you can bet your hard earnt dollar or pound that i am due for a migraine that will not go away until i vomit and sleep it off in the dark for at least 4 hours.

    That said, i will try to make more notice of the food / migraine relation because it could very well be related.
    Honestly, when i change what i eat (i e eating healthy and then having a grand dinner like i did last night with wine, and cheese and this and that) it's not in my head but in my belly that i feel the change.... :embarassed:

    It'll be interesting for you to see if food has anything to do with yours. Hope you don't get any for a long long time though
  • AnnelizabethB
    AnnelizabethB Posts: 64 Member
    Its really not well understood, and different for everyone. If i have the right combo of stress and sleeplessness, something like a night light can be a trigger for me (pinpoint bright light in the dark = instant migraine for me). Others have to give up red wine or aged cheese. Environmental changes, like a sudden barometric pressure drop can do it. I've never heard the processed foods thing, but I have heard that sulfates (like those used to dry fruit) can be a trigger.

    I know about sulfates, I am sensitive to those and try not to have to much red wine
  • HollisGrant
    HollisGrant Posts: 2,022 Member
    I've had migraines all my life. Right now they're under control without medication (I refuse to take it because it causes strokes). I haven't had a bad headache for at least a year.

    What causes mine:

    Stress
    Not enough water
    Caffeine -- as in withdrawing too quickly
    Too much chocolate
    Yogurt -- one is okay, but if I eat yogurt every day it will give me a migraine
    Too many peanuts
    Red wine
    Junk food and processed food if I haven't had any in a while
    Over the counter headache meds if taken more than a few times give me a vicious headache. It took me many years and expensive tests before I found out about Rebound headaches. I definitely can't taken an aspirin a day for cardiac health.
  • ehorn625
    ehorn625 Posts: 144
    " If I could afford to make all my own food I would so do it. "

    It is really no more expensive to make healthy, non-processed food. I try to make everything I eat from scratch. When boneless chicken breast is on sale, I boil it in water with spices or in chicken broth. After its cooled, I cube it and stick it in the fridge. I make salads with romaine, the chicken, low fat dressing and other veggies (some I grow on my deck). I keep tuna in the house and do the same thing. For breakfast, it can be eggs (or egg whites) with veggies. You just need to have the food in the house and keep the processed crap out!

    I now eat very little processed food and virtually no fast food. I shop the sales for veggies, fruits and lean meats. I have rejoined MFP and lost 3 lbs in 10 days. You can do it if you try!

    Best of luck. I don't have migraines but know people who do-you have all my sympathy!!!! :happy:
  • arl1286
    arl1286 Posts: 276 Member
    I recently cut out everything processed (I'd say I'm eating like 95-98% clean right now). For the first two weeks, I had a migraine almost every day.

    So yes, there's definitely a correlation, it would appear.
  • janinab75
    janinab75 Posts: 147 Member
    Yes, there can be a link between foods you eat and migraines in some people. I can get a migraine from foods that have MSG (found in many processed foods, Chinese food/take out), red and white wine (because of the sulfates), some cheeses (but I won't give up cheese), and some people can get migraines from chocolate home made breads. I have a friend who stopped getting migraines once he went gluten free. So there can be a link. Make sure you check labels for MSG, I know that is a sure trigger for me an when you get Chinese ask for no MSG.
  • Blitz_40
    Blitz_40 Posts: 110 Member
    :grumble: Oh yeah!!! Had these my whole life. Completely debilitating migraines starting about 5 years old. When I was 10 my parents had to do the whole eat only what you can grow, but we already had a sort of gentleman's farm so it wasn't hard. I ate only food out of our yard (garden, chickens, pigs, rabbit) for 2 years then we started adding foods in. Immediate triggers (like a punch in the face!) were sulfates, nitrates, food dyes and any artificial sweetener, at that time I think sweet-n-low was the only one around.

    Fast forward to today & it's about the same......I never, ever buy anything that is artificially sweetened & even Truvia slaps me in the face every time. I don't trust any chinese restaurant to make my food msg free, I've been burned too many times. The food dye is not too bad in tiny amounts, but sometimes I break and eat Twizzlers and then I lose a day dealing with the fallout. Because of this I have an inherent fear of any foods that are "mixed". Casseroles? Snack bars? Pizza? No, no, no......terrifies me.

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