A migraine is not like a normal headache. It is a headache accompanied by other symptoms, such as a feeling of nausea and flashes of light. Some patients may even become sensitive to loud noises during a migraine episode. Many people can be surprised to learn that certain foods can cause migraines. Let’s take a look at these surprising migraine food triggers you should be aware of. 

Aspartame
Aspartame is a well-known artificial sweetener that is used by many people, particularly those battling diabetes and those who want to lose weight. However, certain studies have linked the consumption of aspartame with an onset of migraines. Additionally, many other artificial sweeteners have also been noted to be surprising migraine food triggers. 

Chocolate
You might feel disappointed to read the name of your favorite dessert here, but chocolate is a known trigger for migraines. One of the possible reasons for this is the presence of caffeine in chocolate. Caffeine in itself is widely considered to trigger an onset of migraines too. 

Certain types of cheese
Cheese might be a popular breakfast item, but be aware that it can cause migraines. This is particularly true for certain cheese types such as feta and parmesan. The reason for the cheese to be a feature on this list is due to the presence of tyramine that is especially high in cheeses that have aged over time. 

Citrus fruits
Many patients have reported that there seems to be a link between the consumption of citrus fruits and the onset of migraines. Citrus fruits include oranges, sweet limes, and grapefruit. There is not a lot of research as to why this might be the case. Try tracking whether your own migraines might be caused by consumption of citrus fruits and if so, then avoid them at all costs. 

Monosodium glutamate foods
Monosodium glutamate is commonly called MSG. MSG improves the taste of many processed foods like premix soups, tinned foods, and so on. MSG-laden foods are known to cause migraines in many people. Always make it a point to avoid foods with MSG. Read the label before buying food and make sure that even your takeaway meals are without MSG.

Nuts
Nuts are surprising migraine food triggers. The nuts most commonly responsible are peanuts and almonds. One of the reasons is that nuts also have tyramine content, just like the case of aged cheese. Nuts are not a common cause of migraines, but they are certainly responsible for triggering many people’s conditions. 

Do note that the migraine triggers can change from person to person. So, keep a diary and note down your migraine episodes along with the meals you ate that day. This will help you understand your own unique triggers.