Migraines are a very uncomfortable health condition with symptoms that include headache, nausea, dizziness, and sound and light sensitivity, it could be from the food you’re eating.

If you have ever experienced one, you know how debilitating the pain can be. I never had one until my 2nd pregnancy, and they stopped me right in my tracks. They were so painful that I couldn’t have any light in the room. Medications did little for me, and the only way to come out on the other side of the throbbing was to sleep it off in a dark room. Not ideal with a 3-year-old and one dancing away in your tummy.

Now, I’m pretty sure that my symptoms are NOT brought on by any of these because, as a pregnant woman, you are only allowed to eat 1 to 2 of the 5, but I learned there are certain foods and drinks that can trigger a migraine attack. Here’s a list of five of the most common foods and beverages that can bring on migraines and their effects, according to the HuffPost.

• Alcohol

  Danielle Wilhour, MD is a neurologist and migraine specialist at UCHealth Neurosciences in Aurora, Colorado, and says “While alcohol itself, as well as its metabolites, are potential factors in some instances, certain components in various alcoholic beverages may serve as triggers and alcohol is known to cause vasodilation, causing blood vessels to swell.” Alcohol is dehydrating and red wine is known to be linked to attacks due to tyramine, a compound also found in dark chocolate and aged cheese.

• Caffeine

  Either too much or too little caffeine is harmful, and caffeine is sometimes used to treat the condition. Dr. Teshamae Monteith, associate professor of clinical neurology and chief of the headache division at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine says that too much caffeine can bring on a migraine and caffeine also has a dehydrating effect that can trigger a migraine. You could also bring on a migraine by skipping an afternoon cup of coffee, tea, or an energy drink if you are dependent on those beverages.

• Chocolate

  Chocolate is known to exacerbate migraines and the reason could be because of cocoa. Wilhour said, “cocoa is thought to influence serotonin release, possibly contributing to migraine pathogenesis.” There’s a debate among neurologists as to whether a direct link to chocolate can be established, but it’s best to avoid it if you’re a migraine sufferer. 

• Aged Cheese

  Tyramine is found in some aged cheese and Wilhour says “It is believed that elevated levels of tyramine can trigger migraines in susceptible people.” Many cheeses are aged and you need to check labels, but common cheeses that could be offenders include cheddar, Manchego, Gorgonzola, and Stilton. 

• Cured And Processed Meats

  Many of these meats including bacon and sausage contain nitrates and Wilhour said “Changes in blood flow are associated with migraines, and nitric oxide production may contribute to these changes. In addition, a 2016 study found that people who suffer migraines may have higher levels of the bacteria that helps break down nitrates. That causes more nitric oxide which is also associated with migraines. 

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