Dr. Robbins
Quote:Foods to Avoid, and Sources of Caffeine:
(Foods are often overemphasized as triggers)
You may or may not be sensitive to any of the following foods. If a particular food
is going to cause a headache, the headache will usually occur within three hours
of eating. Also, the response to the foods may not be consistent. On one
occasion, you may have a headache caused by a particular food; however, the
next time you eat that same food, it is possible that a headache may not occur.
While foods are not as common a headache trigger as stress, weather, hormones,
missing meals, bright lights, and undersleeping, some patients are sensitive to the
following:
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) also labeled Autolyzed Yeast Extract,
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, or Natural Flavoring.
♦ Possible sources of MSG include broths or stocks, seasonings, whey
protein, soy extract, malt extract, caseinate, barley extract, textured soy
protein, chicken or port or beef flavoring, smoke flavor, spices,
carrageenan, meat tenderizer, seasoned salt, TV dinners, instant gravies,
and some potato chips and dry-roasted nuts.
Red Wine (White wine is not as likely to trigger a headache)
Beer
All alcohol can trigger a headache; beer and wine are the worst offenders
Chocolate
Citrus Fruits, ripe bananas.
Ripened, aged cheeses (Colby, Roquefort, Brie, Gruyere, cheddar, blue, brick,
mozzarella, Parmesan, boursalt, Romano) and processed cheese.
♦ Not likely to trigger headache: cottage cheese, cream cheese, and
American cheese.
Hot dogs, pepperoni, bologna, salami, sausage, canned or cured meats
(bacon, ham), aged meats, or marinated meats.
Nuts, peanut butter, large amounts of Nutrasweet.
Yogurt, sour cream.
Caffeine
While caffeine can help headaches, the overuse of caffeine may increase via
rebound mechanisms. Some patients do not suffer rebound headaches from the
ingestion of 500 mg. of caffeine per day, while others develop rebound headaches
with as little as 30 mg. In general, I like to limit caffeine to 150 mg., or at most,
200 mg. per day.
The average 8 ounce cup of coffee has 75 to 125 mg. caffeine. Drip coffee is
stronger than percolated, and instant is the weakest form. Depending on the size
of the cup and its strength, instant coffee may contain from 40 to 150 mg., but is
usually closer to 40 mg. Decaffeinated coffee contains from 2 to 5 mg. per cup.
However, the caffeine levels may be much higher at restaurants and coffee
houses. These calculations all depend upon the strength of the product and the
brew. Specialty coffeehouses (Starbucks, Caribou, etc.) often contain twice the
usual amount of caffeine per cup.
6
Tea
Hope that helps
thebb