If you live with migraine, you already know how debilitating those headaches can be. But what you may not know is there's a possible connection between some types of dairy and migraine. Aged cheeses like Gruyère, Havarti, Parmesan, and even some cheddars can trigger migraine episodes within hours.
People with migraine should stick to fresh cheeses or milder cheese that have had a shorter aging period, like mild cheddar, ricotta, cottage cheese, American cheese, Colby, and Monterey Jack.
If you suspect food is a trigger for your migraine, keeping a food journal can help you pinpoint any potential offenders.
Tyramine and Migraine
Some people with headaches and other migraine symptoms are sensitive to certain foods. Many of these foods contain an amino acid called tyramine. Eating foods that contain tyramine can set off a chain reaction that causes vasoconstriction — or narrowing — of some of the blood vessels in the brain. This vasoconstriction is then followed by dilation — or widening — of the blood vessels. This back and forth narrowing and widening causes the characteristic throbbing headache associated with migraine.
One of the items on the list of tyramine-containing foods to avoid is aged cheese. Aged cheeses go through a process of sitting for a period of time in order to develop a deeper flavor and a different texture. Different cheeses are aged to different degrees, and as a general rule, aged cheeses are harder than fresh cheeses. Some examples of aged cheeses that people with migraine may want to avoid include:
Parmesan
Asiago
Pecorino Romano
Gruyère
Havarti
Sharp cheddar
Emmental (made in Switzerland)
Fontina
Manchego Viejo
Romano
Stravecchio
Aged mozzarella
Gorgonzola
Provolone
Gouda
Camembert
Brie
Blue cheese
Muenster
On the other hand, fresh cheeses, and other mild cheeses that don't sit as long as aged cheeses, don't typically trigger migraine. Some examples that are typically safe for people with migraine include:
American cheese
Swiss cheese (made in America)
Baby Swiss
Mild cheddar
Stracchino
Tabor
Ricotta
Cottage cheese
Queso quesadilla
Pepper Jack
Pecorino fresco
Fresh mozzarella
Monterey Jack
Manchego fresco
Colby
Other Foods People With Migraine May Want to Avoid
Aged cheese isn't the only type of food with tyramine, and many other foods that contain the compound have been linked to the onset of migraine as well. Some of these include:
Processed meats (ham, salami, sausage, and pepperoni)
Raw onion
Citrus-type fruits (orange, grapefruit, tangerine, pineapple, lemon, and lime)
Chocolate
Anything with nitrates, nitrites, MSG, aspartame, and sulfites (like deli meats and hot dogs)
Yeast extract
There are also some foods that don't contain tyramine that have been shown to trigger migraine and bring on headaches in those who are susceptible. If you suspect something in your diet is a trigger for you, it may also be helpful to avoid these foods and drinks, which include:
Alcohol
Peanuts and peanut butter
Tomato-based foods, like pizza
Potato chips
Pickled foods
Avocados
Dried fruits
Cultured dairy products (sour cream, yogurt, and buttermilk)
