The Kind Life is a community around Alicia Silverstone and The Kind Diet where friends, doctors, experts in green living, and members share vegan tips.

Kind Cures

Five Foods that Fight Migraines May 21, 2014|By Alicia Silverstone

Migraine headaches affect 25% of the female population and about 8% of the male population. Most people who suffer from migraines head straight for the medicine cabinet, but there are foods that can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. A while back, Kind Lifer Melissa shared her story about overcoming her migraines by cutting out cheese. When following the kind or superhero diet, you will notice a dramatic difference. Seriously. I use to get severe migraines as a kid. The pain was so unbearable! I have memories of praying so intensely for it to stop because it would hurt so bad. Thankfully, I have not had one since I changed my diet to a kind one. If you follow a kind diet but still get migraines, try going superhero and that should do the trick. If they continue, I recommend you see a macrobiotic councilor.

For now, here are five foods that help fight migraines.

1. Millet

Millet contains migraine-preventing magnesium. Try it for breakfast in my millet and sweet vegetable porridge.

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2. Flaxseed

The research is still in its infancy but flaxseed is high in omega-3s and some studies have shown that Omega-3s can reduce the frequency of migraines

Flax Seeds

3. Olive Oil

At least one study concluded that Olive Oil (also high in omega-3s) reduced the length, intensity, and duration of migraine attacks in adolescents.

Olive Oil

4. Spinach

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is a major weapon in the battle against migraines. Spinach has some of the highest amounts of riboflavin among other vegetables*.

5. Water

Dehydration is a common trigger for migraines, so before you reach into the medicine cabinet, or start chowing down, make sure you’ve had your H2O!

Other foods believed to fight migraine headaches are: peppermint, cayenne pepper, ginger, wheat germ, soy, and many dark leafy vegetables.

Do you suffer from migraines? Have you experienced success with any of the above nutritional remedies?

*Spinach has high levels of riboflavin- but just remember to be mindful of eating it 1-2 times a week (and not daily). This is because it contains low levels of oxalic acid, a naturally occurring acid that can interfere with calcium absorption. There are many other riboflavin rich veggies such as asparagus, broccoli, and peas that can be substituted in on a daily basis.
Photo Credit: Namely Marly, Acico Foods, How Stuff Works, & Fairway Market

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  • Lisa Scharin

    Thank-you, my friend suffers from migraines and I always forget somethings to tell her! Now I have a list!

  • Bryan Dopp

    I do not suffer from migraines, but have heard reports that Kombucha relieves migraines. One should add Kombucha to the above list of good nutritional advice, as toxicity is likely a factor in migraines, and kombucha detoxifies.

    • Scarrianne Monstea

      A lot of people say that drinking a lot of Kombucha will give you a headache. I have severe chronic migraines and have recently gone on an elimination diet. At the same time I am adding fermented products (Kim Chi, sauerkraut, and Kombucha) to my diet to try to improve the stomach problems that come with migraines. I have found that if my migraine is in the beginning stages and I drink a Kombucha (especially a ginger infused one), it can sometimes stop the migraine before it becomes full blown, or reduce the pain and stop it from escalating all the way. It doesn’t always work, and I’m careful not to have more than a couple Kombuchas per week so that I don’t end up getting the more headaches from it. It’s worth a try for those of you who haven’t tried it.