Foods to Help Manage Migraines
Did you know that almost anything can spark off a migraine attack? Whether it is a strong smell, weather changes, specific foods or drinks, or estrogen level fluctuations, it could trigger a migraine headache. If you’re one of the people who experience migraines frequently, you know that this condition can be debilitating and can hamper your daily life. When looking for home remedies for migraines, it is best to make some dietary changes and adopt a healthy diet to help manage the condition. Along with that, you must know the trigger foods to avoid to prevent flare-ups.
A very helpful dietary tip is to eat fresh food as the consumption of food preservatives like MSG or monosodium glutamate goes down due to this. As a result, the chances and severity of the condition are decreased as these preservatives are the major triggers for migraines.
Foods to eat to manage migraines
Here are some foods to include in your diet to manage the condition:
- Flaxseeds, fruits, dry fruits, and soy have estrogen, which can also have the same effects as the estrogen that your bodies make. Consuming these can be especially beneficial for women who get frequent migraines during their menstrual cycles. This is because these home remedies for migraines add to the estrogen levels in the body, which tend to fall during menstruation.
- Foods rich in omega-3 fats, like fatty fish including salmon, trout, mackerel, and herring, promote heart health and can be beneficial for managing migraines as well.
- Caffeine may be a food trigger for migraine attacks, but coffee can also help relieve the pain. Caffeine shrinks the dilated blood vessels inside your brain and is also one of the main ingredients in most over-the-counter migraine medications.
- Ginger is a spice that has compounds similar to those in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines. This home remedy for migraines works against migraine attacks as it can block inflammatory elements called prostaglandins. Ginger can also help treat nausea and vomiting, which are usually experienced with a migraine headache.
- All magnesium-rich foods like dark green leafy veggies and whole grains are home remedies for migraines as the condition is related to magnesium deficiency in the body. When your body does not have enough magnesium, the brain is sensitive to it and may trigger a migraine attack. Almonds, Brazilian nuts, halibut, and such are rich sources of magnesium, so add them to your diet.
Following a healthy diet is one of the tricks to avoid frequent migraines, especially because you can hope to stay free from migraines without taking medications. This diet should ideally be rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and lean protein. You can eat fresh beef lamb, fish, chicken, pork, turkey, poppy and pumpkin seeds, and sesame and sunflower seeds. At the same time, avoid chicken and beef livers, breaded meats, nut butter, marinated meats, and flavored popcorn.