Migraine can disrupt an individual’s general life so much as it is usually accompanied by dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to sound and light, etc. There is no perfect cure for migraines, and handling it can prove to be a difficult task sometimes. But there are certain triggers like certain food types that can be identified and further avoided to help manage the condition better. Some of the foods that can trigger migraines are as follows:

• Aged meats and cheese: Many types of aged meat such as salami contain compounds like nitrates or nitrites in them. These compounds are known to cause or trigger a migraine. They also happen to have a lot of salt in them which can lead to dehydration – which is also a trigger for migraines.
• Alcoholic beverages: More so than the alcohol itself, in quite a few cases, the withdrawal experienced the day after can easily trigger a migraine. It is also speculated that the sulfate preservatives and several other contaminants present in red wine can also result in bringing on a migraine in certain individuals. Thereby steering clear from them would be one way to avoid migraines.
• Caffeine: It can be a confusing point as caffeine generally is used to relieve headaches. But consuming caffeine regularly develops a kind of dependency on it which is where the problem arises. Once the dependency is developed in an individual, consuming 80 milligrams lesser than your usual amount can lead to the development of a headache. As the usage of caffeine can vary from one individual to another, no definitive directions can be given except to make a note of the amounts that one is generally used to.
• Spicy food: Spicy foods are particularly capable of bringing on a migraine. Chili peppers are one of the most capable types of food items that can elicit a migraine attack. Spicy foods, in general, induce a reaction on pain receptors present in the brain that further lower the threshold to develop a migraine.
• Foods with aspartame: It is not still entirely clear as to why food items that contain aspartame trigger migraine attacks. However, if individuals have noticed any sensitivity towards the additive, it should be avoided at all costs. Beverages such as diet sodas tend to have a higher amount of this additive and should be consciously avoided.
• Chocolate: This is known to be one of the most common triggers for people suffering from migraines, as per the American Migraine Foundation. Almost 22% of people who suffer from migraines have listed chocolate as one of their triggers. Chocolate is known to have caffeine and also beta-phenylethylamine, which are capable of triggering headaches in several patients.
• Foods with MSG: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a compound that is already naturally synthesized in our bodies. It is also used as an additive. It has been reported by the American Migraine Foundation that about 10 to 15% of migraine patients have severe migraines triggered because of this additive.