Eat well

What and when you eat can have an effect on migraines. Follow these guidelines:

• Be consistent. Eat at about the same time every day.
• Don't skip meals. The risk of migraines goes up when you don't eat.
• Drink water. Drinking plenty of water or other healthy fluids throughout the day may help lower the risk of a migraine.
• Keep a food journal. Keep track of the foods you eat and when you have migraines. That can help you find foods that could be causing migraines.
• Eat healthy foods. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables and foods with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, such fish and shellfish, can lower the severity and frequency of headaches.
• Avoid foods that trigger migraines. If you think a certain food is causing migraines, don't eat it for a while to see what happens. Foods that are known to lead to migraines in some people include aged cheese, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol and processed meats, such as salami, hot dogs and bologna.