You may not be sensitive to the foods in your diet… most people are sensitive to only two or three types. If a particular food is going to cause a headache, it will usually occur within three hours of eating. Your response to these foods may not be consistent. On one occasion, you may have a headache caused by a particular food, but the next time you eat that same food, you may not get a headache. Compared to other triggers such as stress, hormonal changes, missing meals, bright lights, and under sleeping, food sensitivities are not that common. However, some patients are sensitive to the following foods…..
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) – also labeled autolyzed yeast extract, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, or natural flavoring. Possible sources of MSG include broths or soup stocks, seasonings, chicken, pork, or beef flavoring, TV dinners, instant gravies, and some potato chips and dry-roasted nuts.
Alcohol – All alcohol can trigger a headache; beer and red wine are the worst offenders. White wine is not as likely to trigger a headache.
Cheese – Ripened, aged cheeses (Colby, brick cheddar, Roquefort, brie, mozzarella, parmesan,romano) and processed cheeses are the worst.
Chocolate , citrus fruits, yogurt, and sour cream may also bring on a headache. Large amounts of aspartame (Nutrasweet) is also a problem for some people.
Keeping a diary, or mentally noting a trigger caused by a certain food may help to remind you of foods to avoid.