A smart order at your favorite restaurant could help you avoid a migraine.
As sufferers know, migraines can strike anywhere. And unfortunately, that could mean during a nice dinner out, since certain foods might be headache triggers for some. Here are some ways to help navigate the menu and avoid foods that could trigger a migraine.
At the Small Plates Spot: Skip the brie, try the mozzarella.
If you’re going to start or end with a cheese plate, know that aged cheeses such as cheddar, blue, brie, Swiss, parmesan and Roquefort contain a natural compound called tyramine, which may trigger a migraine in some. The National Headache Foundation suggests limiting intake to four ounces for aged cheeses, but if you’d rather not take any chances, go for a fresh cheese like mozzarella or ricotta.
At the Burger Joint: Skip the pickles, try raw cucumber.
A few favorite burger toppings can be migraine triggers for some, all thanks to tyramine, so the next time you hit up your favorite joint, be wary of a few items like raw onion, cheddar or blue cheese and sauerkraut (for you non-traditionalists). Pickled food can be high in tyramine, too, so you might consider swapping for raw cucumber can give you that same satisfying crunch without the headache.
At the Pizza Cart: Skip the pepperoni, try a classic.
Aged, dried, fermented or smoked meats are (you guessed it) high in tyramine, so that pepperoni-lover’s pizza could cause a migraine for some. Stick to a classic margarita version (mozzarella cheese is a-ok) or load up your slice with veggies.
