Many different foods have been blamed for triggering migraines. Every person is different, and what is a migraine trigger for one person may not be a trigger for another. It is very unlikely that every item on the list below will be a trigger for you; however, it is also very unlikely that nothing on this list will be a trigger for you. There may even be another food, not on this list, that causes your migraines.

The best way to find out what your personal triggers are is to eliminate all of the following items from your diet, as well as anything else that you suspect. Once your migraines are down to a controllable and tolerable level, begin adding foods from this list back into your diet, one at a time, starting with the ones that you crave the most. Keep in mind that it can take up to two days for the migraine to set in, so you will need to be patient, and give it at least a week for each item before making your decision.

Do not be disheartened when reading this list. It is rather extensive, but there are many commonly eaten foods that are not on this list. It is possible to eat a migraine-free diet and still eat delicious foods! Check out the Recipe of the Month section and the Migraine-Free Kitchen Recipe Book for ideas.

Dairy Products
Buttermilk, sour cream, yogurt

Fruit
Avocados, bananas, clementines, dates, figs, grapefruits, lemons, limes, oranges, papayas, passion fruit, pineapples, raisins (and other sulfite-preserved dried fruits), raspberries, red plums, tangerines

Legumes & Nuts
Broad Italian beans, fava beans, lentils, lima beans, navy beans, nut butters, nut extracts, nuts, peanuts & peanut butter

Miscellaneous
Alcohol, aspartame, caffeine, chocolate, monosodium glutamate, non-white vinegar

Prepared & Processed Foods
Aged cheeses, croutons, fresh bread products (due to yeast, must be 24 hours old at least), packaged bread crumbs, pizza, processed meats and fish (anything that is aged, canned, cured, fermented, smoked, tenderized, preserved with nitrites or nitrates, or contains tyramine)

Vegetables
Onion powder, onions, pea pods, sauerkraut