Seymour Diamond, MD Responds:

Seymour Diamond, MD, the director of both the Diamond Headache Clinic and the Diamond Inpatient Headache Unit at Saint Joseph Hospital, in Chicago, responds: It's possible—20 to 30% of people who get migraines have at least one food trigger. The best way to narrow in on whether your headache is caused by a food is to keep a log, including what you've eaten and when the headaches take place. Then discuss the details with your doctor. The most common food triggers are foods that: 

contain the amino acid tyramine, as in red wine, chocolate, and aged cheese,

are fermented, such as yogurt, wine, and beer,

have nitrates, as in salami, hot dogs, and other processed meats,

are enhanced with monosodium glutamate (MSG), and

contain caffeine, found in coffee, black and green teas, and some carbonated beverages Some studies suggest that sugar substitutes may trigger headaches for some people, but research in this area is inconclusive.