Migraine

Certain foods contain Tyramine, Histamine, or additives that trigger blood vessel constriction/dilation, leading to headaches.

• Fermented & Sour Foods:

  • Avoid sour curd (khatta dahi) or buttermilk that has turned sour.

  • Be cautious with Idli and Dosa batter that is over-fermented (more than 24 hours).

  • Achar (Pickles): High in salt and fermentation, these are major triggers.

• Leftover Food:

  • Strictly avoid reheating food stored for more than 24 hours (e.g., leftover sabzi or dal from the fridge). Tyramine levels increase as food ages.

• Specific Vegetables & Legumes:

  • Avoid Brinjal (Eggplant/Baingan) and Tomatoes if you notice they trigger sensitivity (they contain solanine/histamines).

  • Limit Rajma (Kidney beans) and Chole (Chickpeas) if they cause gas/bloating, as gastric issues often trigger migraines.

• Additives & Sweeteners:

  • MSG (Ajinomoto): Commonly found in Chinese dishes (Manchurian, Hakka noodles).

  • Artificial Sweeteners: Avoid diet sodas or "sugar-free" sweets containing Aspartame.

• Stimulants:

  • Limit Chai and Coffee to 1-2 small cups a day. Caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches, but excess caffeine triggers them.

Focus on anti-inflammatory, cooling, and magnesium-rich foods to relax blood vessels.

• Magnesium-Rich Foods:

  • Leafy Greens: Palak (Spinach) and Methi (Fenugreek).

  • Nuts & Seeds: Soaked Almonds (Badam), Walnuts (Akhrot), and Pumpkin seeds (Kaddu ke beej).

  • Whole Grains: Ragi (Finger millet) and Jowar (Sorghum).

• Hydrating & Cooling Fluids:

  • Coconut Water: The electrolytes help prevent dehydration-triggered migraines.

  • Fresh Chaas (Buttermilk): With a pinch of jeera (cumin) and coriander, but without sourness.

  • Kokum Sherbet

• Spices as Medicine:

  • Ginger (Adrak): Effective for migraine nausea. Add it to tea or warm water.

  • Coriander (Dhania) & Mint (Pudina): Use these in chutneys; they are cooling for the system.

• Simple Proteins:

  • Moong Dal: Easy to digest.

  • Khichdi: The ultimate comfort food to settle the gut and prevent acidity-induced headaches.

• Incompatible Foods: Do not combine Milk with Fish, or Milk with Salt/Sour fruits. This creates toxins (Ama) that lead to headaches.