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, which 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.
