Migraine is a primary headache disorder characterized by recurrent throbbing pain that typically strikes at one side of the head. Symptoms of migraines may include light, smell, and sound sensitivity, nausea and disturbed vision. Migraines can keep a patient from focusing on work or school so much so that a migraine attack can last 3 hours to 3 days and significantly impede life.

Thankfully, there are a number of triggers, including the following foods, that when avoided can greatly reduce migraine attacks:

1. Coffee and caffeine
Those who are following a migraine diet may want to avoid coffee and all other sources of caffeine. Some get migraines simply from consuming caffeine, and others can get migraines from caffeine withdrawal if they go without caffeine after consuming it regularly. The one faced with migraines should limit their consumption of coffee, energy drinks, and caffeinated sodas.

2. Aged cheeses
If a person deals with regular migraines, aged cheeses may be to blame. There are different compounds that are found in aged cheeses that may be linked to the development of migraines. The one who is dealing with migraines should be careful about choosing the cheeses that they will consume, as fresh cheeses should be safe for them but aged cheeses may not.

3. Nitrates
There are some who believe that consuming foods high in nitrates can lead to the development of migraine headaches. Nitrates are in a lot of different processed meats as well as in red wine. The one looking to avoid migraines should eat nitrate-free sandwich meats and consume pizza that is free of pepperoni.

4. Artificial sweeteners
There are some who feel that aspartame and sucralose can both lead to migraines. If a person consumes too much of these artificial sweeteners, they may be subject to a migraine. It is important for a person to cut back on the amount of artificial sweeteners that they are using in their everyday diet.

5. Alcohol
Many patients are bothered by migraines after they have consumed alcoholic beverages. These people can deal with issues from the alcohol just hours after they have consumed it. Migraines from alcohol can affect a person in a worse way than a hangover does.

6. Chocolate
Chocolate contains caffeine, and that is just one of the reasons that those who deal with migraines should limit the amount of chocolate that they consume. Chocolate contains an amino acid that can lead to migraines, as well.